Interviews with people of different sexualities about LGBT + films
Person 1 (bisexual woman)
Q: Do you think that the media gives more visibility to one LGBT + sexuality over others?
A: Yes, when you look at LGBT + films and shows the majority are about gay men. There’s hardly anything mainstream about lesbians, bisexuals or pansexuals that isn’t stereotypical and insulting.
Q: Would you watch a dramatic romance film about a lesbian couple?
A: I would, there are practically no mainstream lesbian romance films.
Q: Are there any things that you would want to come across in a lesbian film?
A: Just that a lesbian relationship isn’t completely different from a straight or gay relationship on most aspects. I wouldn’t like any special focus on them being lesbians if it isn’t relevant because that would push the idea that they’re different because they’re lesbian.
Person 2 (straight male)
Q: Do you think that the media gives more visibility to one LGBT + sexuality over others?
A: No because I think I saw a lot more gay men stories in the past but recently I’ve noticed a lot more gay women stories being told mostly in music by female musicians. I think it just changes over time.
Q: Would you watch a dramatic romance film about a lesbian couple?
A: If it looked good, I only tend to watch romances if the trailer intrigues me because it’s just not my favourite genre.
Q: Are there any things that you would want to come across in a lesbian film?
A: No
Person 3 (lesbian)
Q: Do you think that the media gives more visibility to one LGBT + sexuality over others?
A: Yeah, I think there is a lot of gay men films because it will sell well. Typically, young teenage girls romanticise gay men and so would happily pay to watch a film about gay men and would just care more than they would about other sexualities. Also, I think sexualities like pansexual or bisexual are widely ignored because they are complicated and would require informing a larger ignorant audience of what they are.
Q: Would you watch a dramatic romance film about a lesbian couple?
A: Absolutely, considering lesbian stuff is so rare. I’m desperate to watch something with characters I can identify with.
Q: Are there any things that you would want to come across in a lesbian film?
A: No stereotypes, almost every queer film bends to stereotypes and it’s never a realistic representation and leads to misunderstandings
Summary
To conclude, there is a big gap in the ‘market’ of the film industry for a lesbian love story and there would be people willing to see it. Also, that one of the biggest concerns of those who want a lesbian film is that there will be offensive stereotypes, so this is something we would need to pay close attention to.
Abbie's media projects 