Sexual Diversity on the Small Screen
Researcher(s) (CIMS)
Supervisors (CIMS)
Co-Supervisors (CIMS)
Presentation
This research project, funded by the FWO (Belgian Fund for Scientific Research), aims to conduct a qualitative research into the representation of and public debate about LGBTs in Flemish television fiction series.
Belgium assumed a pioneering role in same-sex civil rights. Yet, little academic attention has been given to the way LGBTs are represented in national television fiction. Therefore, this research project wants to comprehend the socio-cultural role of representations of sexual diversity in contemporary Flemish television fiction. Specifically, it is interested in how heteronormativity is negotiated in these representations. Heteronormative discourse is concerned with upholding a binary, rigid, hierarchical relation between people based on gender and sexuality. Since media research argues that many LGBT representations are implicitly governed by heteronormativity, it is crucial to investigate to what extent Flemish television follows that trend. Furthermore, to fully understand the meaning and impact of representations of sexual diversity in the Flemish context, it also considers the ways in which they are commented upon and discursively framed in public debate. A valuable way to do so is by looking at the public debate in Flanders. To this end, this project sets out the following research goals. First, it aims to study which LGBTs are represented in contemporary Flemish television fiction. Second, it inquires how LGBTs are represented in these series and how the representations negotiate heteronormativity. Third, it studies how heteronormativity is negotiated in the public debate regarding these representations held in Flanders.