Does it disappoint you that most lgbt representation in media features gay/lesbian characters as laughing stocks or comic relief? Most lgbt characters are in comedy shows to me.
In film I have found that LGBT characters tend to be portrayed "interestingly" to say the least. An especially odd thing I always notice is how little (if any at all) affection LGBT characters show each other in mainstream media. Unless it is explicitly an LGBT film/show like Queer as Folk or The L Word, gay characters almost never show much physical affection. Probably due to the fact producers feel it would make heterosexual watchers too uncomfortable. Can't watch a single mainstream movie without the guy and girl getting into the cliche'd make out and implied sex scene, but heaven forbid two guys or girls kiss. Of course there are a few exceptions, but they tend to be few and far between. And I guess it is to be expected, most of the producers/writers and directors are not LGBT, so it is no surprise they don't do a fantastic job at portraying the LGBT community in a realistic/positive light. As well as the fact the primary demographic of these mainstream media producers are heterosexuals so they cater to their needs/wants before anything else, just the way it is.... Edit: I also recall that The Game Theorists did an interesting piece about how LGBT characters are portrayed in an almost universally negative/stereotypical light in video games: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdmJXHJLZ6M&list=UUo_IB5145EVNcf8hw1Kku7w
I think it's because LGBT orientation is still so niche that there's no motivation to add one into a property without a defined purpose.* More generally, characters who could be for all we know may just never have their sexuality become relevant to the plot. Look at Dumbledore. *I'm experimenting with putting a "just because" bi/lesbian character into my novel; it's still up in the air whether I'll mention it or not, but I picture the girl in question to be a little against-the-grain and would like the story to represent how the culture will have moved in the future.
Yeah, it bothers me. Sometimes the simple fact that a character happens to be LGBT is supposed to be funny. Seriously, WTF?
A good one for me was Willow in Buffy, she wasn't there for comic relief, she was one of the main characters and I think joss handled it well the whole storyline of her falling for Tara. It is a little annoying though when most are for comedic type stuff like will and grace and those types of shows.
