Visual Media desensitizes people in regards to Gay people & Gay relationships

[Reading Yaoi: Lucky Star episode 12 "Let's Go to the Festival" "O-matsuri e Ikō" (お祭りへ行こう)]

In the 1800's it was "the love that dare not speak its name"

In 1900's it was "Don't ask, don't tell"

And now, in 2013, I can walk down one of the busiest roads in Auckland and find posters, books and flags celebrating being gay.

It's no secret, Gay people exist; regardless of your personal viewpoint. We can see things have changed, but has it for everyone?

My argument is based on the use of visual media, such as TV, movie, music videos, visual novels etc, have helped desensitize people; much in the same way repetitive images of famous people drinking or doing drugs influences others to consider the habit themselves or accept it as a normal factor in everyday society.

Firstly, the visuals themselves. Looking at them can we infer the target audience?

The demographic for these images is an established pattern. As demonstrated by Get it On!, New Zealand's support for Gay people, who often buy ads at bus stops and billboards. (See right) It clearly depicts two people possibly aged somewhere between 18-35.

Here's another more recent example:
Glee, the infamous television series, deals heavily with gay rights through two of their main characters; Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) and Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss) who are both teenagers. This fact is highlighted by LifeSiteNews who suggests the American TV show had some strong impacts on the views of Gay relationships.

Glee, Season 2 episode 16: "Original Song" Aired March 15 2011

"When asked whether favorable portrayals of gay characters on shows like “Glee,” “Modern Family” and “The New Normal”  had changed their views on gays, twenty-seven percent of respondents—or over eighty percent of those whose views had changed—said that they were more in favor.."

They further argue in the poll that was mentioned in this article: Views on gay marriage are totally defined by age,” says Penn. “Almost twice as many voters under 35 say these shows made them more in favor of gay marriage. . .” Which coincides with the image above, the demographic for these visuals is directed at a younger generation. More specifically suggested, the generation below the age of 35. Being a social media site, I assume not everybody who completed that survey were much older than 35. However, bare in mind the demographic of the shows and who would likely watch them, does in fact correlate with the results regardless.

Hinako Takanaga's "Tyrant Falls in Love" (恋する暴君 Koisuru Boukun^?)

So the target is the younger generation, so what has it done?

Personally, I first became aware of gay relationships when I was around 14. I had just begun reading Manga (Japanese comics) and came across the Yaoi genre by accident. Yaoi described as "genre of male-male romance narratives aimed at a female audience."


Much like most of today's generation, I was introduced at a relatively young age through the form of visual media.

This can be further shown by the rate in which television shows became more accepting by having gay characters or couples featured. The earliest record is estimated to be in 1981; 32 years ago. Which again conisides with the generation of the survey above.

Knowing this, I strongly think this a large scale representation of The Spacing effect, where recurring themes are learned in the subconscious mind over a long period of time. Thus resulting in a less startling reaction when the theme is brought forth into our conscience minds. 

"The hearts and minds of Americans—especially our young people—are being changed when it comes to same-sex marriage and homosexual practice because of entertainment, not arguments." 
- LifesiteNews
 
Alright, so we have a generation that has been desensitized but as mentioned above, age strongly defines the demographic. The generations differ as to where the images are targeted, so therefore we can assume not every single person has been desensitized. Other factors such as religion, belief, location and up-bringing definitely contributes to who you are as a person regardless.

Therefore people will undoubtedly react negatively, and will not response positively to this new idea by switching on a TV:

• Aggravation for those who are seriously against it. If it is constantly a reoccurring theme, people can feel obliged to retaliate and create websites such as Gay Couples are Unnatural

• Bullying. For those who are scared of difference. Countless people have committed suicide because of bullying. The show Glee covered this aspect  as well.

• Sexual confusion;I know a few people who have crossed this bridge, who feel like they must chose who they are, and themes such as this may be one of the causes. Leading people to suggest being Gay is a choice.

• Using "gay" as a negative term. As demonstrated in the picture above, people assume using the term as a word with a negative connotation, can influence others into doing the same. 
• Religion. As the bible does state being gay is wrong, and for more stricter families it is difficult to convince people to change their minds just by watching a TV show.

However I strongly agree this method works and has its merits, such as:

• Acceptance, as the Spacing Effect was mentioned above, people become more accepting if a theme is repeated slowly over a short period of time.
  This is better done when a person is young, rather than older as there are not many conflicting ideas.
• Visual media is powerful, as they say a picture is worth a thousand words. It gains attention, which can be shown in Google trends, where the term "Gay" has been on the steady increase since 2004.
• Increase in self awareness and social awareness. People become comfortable with themselves and others and feel less restricted in their environments. 

In conclusion to my argument, there are a great many people who have been desensitzed by visual media. By a large amount being the target demographic, which is not everyone. There will be the older generations who will struggle. However, this method is both powerful and effective in changing minds. Though it will not have worked on everyone, it has worked to help stem awareness, action and understanding throughout society.