Lesson 26 Gender and Media PDF

L E S S O N 26 G E N D E R AN D M E D I A Lesson O b jectives: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to: 1. discuss the importance of media representation; and 2. appreciate the progress in media representation of gender. Def inition of Terms:...

L E S S O N 26 G E N D E R AN D M E D I A Lesson O b jectives: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to: 1. discuss the importance of media representation; and 2. appreciate the progress in media representation of gender. Def inition of Terms: C o m m u n i c a t i o n - t h e p r o c e ss of e x c h a n g i n g i n f o r m a t i o n a n d c o - cr e a t i n g m e a n i n g t h r o u g h v a ri o us m e a n s. fvle dia - m e a n s t h r o u g h w h i c h i n f o rm a t i o n is t r a n sf e n ^ d or r e c e i v e d. Introduction According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 8i% of Filipinos watch the television, and it still remains to be the most used and trusted source of information in our country. We watch T V for entertainment and information through T V soap operas', news, and entertainment programs. We become passive consumers of what T V has to offer; information, shock, humor, and etc. Therefore, the media influences our perception on different topics. It is important for us to look deeply into what it presents or fails to represent of our everyday realities. Media Representation Media representation is how the media presents or frames "aspects of society, such as gender, age, or ethnicity" (BBC 2019). It is important because it shapes the audience's knowledge and understanding and will contribute to their ideas and attitudes. Because of our exposure to television, the media ultimately represents our social realities as it mirrors the ideologies, belief systems, and stereotypes. There are many factors affecting media representation, after all, what we see in the television has already gone through a long process wherein many people are involved. The people behind the production of the content have their own ideology, ideas, and beliefs, and that greatly contribute to what we see in the media. Media producers, editors, directors, writers, and a networks' values reflect through its content 200 A Course Module for Gender and Society: A Human Ecological Approach  Since T V uses one way mode of communication wherein feedback is rareK" reoond or encouraged, more often we are left on our own to process the ideas and opinion dinxled towards us, the viewers. We passively laugh at stereotypes, not giving it a second thougln. Media Stereotype Media stereotypes "are simplified representations of a person, groups of people or a place, through basic or obvious characteristics-which are often exaggerated" (BBC 2019). Although stereotypes can help people connect with the content as they reflect it in their own realities, it can have negative effects on disadvantaged groups like the L G B T community by reinforcing negative and even false stereotypes. The L G B T community are highly misrepresented in the Philippine media. There are many stereotypes of the L G B T in the media and most are not flattering. Often they are used as a comic relief in their portrayal ofthe loud and boisterous "bakla", the straight male who acts like a "bakla" with exaggerated gestures, the sex-deprived muscular male homosexual, or the awkward "toniboy" who eventually becomes a feminine woman after meeting the man of her dreams. There are very few L G B T main characters in the international television and even very scarce in the Philippine Television. They are often relegated as sidekicks, victims, or villains. Although there are a few L G B T celebrities in the Philippines who are out and proud of their sexual orientation such as Boy Abunda, Vice Ganda, Aiza Seguerra, and Jake Zyrus, their sexuality is rarely the focus of the programs they are in. In fact, references on L G B T.topics in children shows cause controversy so they are omitted in the broadcast. Such is the case of Glee, a popular American T V show that featured teenagers who are gay and lesbian. The gay kiss was omitted in the Philippine broadcast, although it was seen as a milestone in the international media. News outfits followed popular ideologies of portraying homosexuality as a sickness. The A I D S pandemic in the 70 s also added to the negative stereotyping of the gay male as a sexual deviant. However, due to the pressure coming from the Gay and Lesbian Liberation Movement in the 1970s, the international media was forced to recognize and set media standards for L G B T News coverage. In the Philippines, there is a lack of awareness on SOGIE among media practitioners as they are often left confused on the L G B T terms and labels. Most news from the L G B T community are often on coming out stories of celebrities (Aiza Siguerra, Jake Zyrus (Charice Pempengco), and Rosana Roses), Pride March events, hate crimes, and controversies. Media coverage of the L G B T community in the Philippines went from no-coverage, ridicule, censorship, to limited portrayal. However limiting, it is taken as a sign of greater social acceptance as compared to its total black out just decades ago. Unit V: Cross-Cutting Issues in Gender and Sexuality 201  There are landmark T V shows about the L G B T community such as My Husband s Lover (2013) and The Rich Mans Daughter (2015). There are also a handful of L G B T themed 2. What a] movies that featured the different aspects of the L G B T person from realization of their sexual orientation, their coming out, to their acceptance in their families and communities. C O N T E M P L A T E. Reflect on the following questions: Recall an LGBT character you have seen in national television. What were the stereotypes portrayed by these characters? How can the media present the L G B T in a better way? COM M UNICATE: This activity gives you the opportunity to talk about the risks you are willing and unwilling to take in your lives. Everyone has a different perception of what it means to take a risk. For one person, it may be saying no to requests from others and for another, it may be climbing a mountain. In fact, for some it may be both those things. Form a group and discuss some actions you consider to be risky (physical risks, emotional risks, or both). Then, reflect on the following questions: I. What impact does the differences in risk-taking behavior can have on a workplace team or groijp? 202 A Course Module for Gender and Society: A Human Ecological Approach  2. What are the common emotional or physical risks mentioned? 3. How can coming out be risky to someone's career? Summary Media representation ofthe L G B T is a double-edged sword. These stereotypes can make people appreciate the existence of L G B T people, however, it can lead them to overgeneralize and trivialize their realities. It is important to learn how to spot a stereotype in the media so we can be critical on the false representations of real people. Assessmen t 1. Reflect how the portrayal of women, men, and the LGBTQ+ in the media influence people's views and attitudes towards each sector? 2. Reflect: Is media is an effective way to influence people towards gender equity? How? References The New Encyclopedia of Icebreakers. (2004). |ohn Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reproduced by permission of Pfeiffer, an Imprint of Wiley, www.pfeiffer.com BBC. (2019). What is representation? Retrieved on February 23, 2019 from https://www.bbc. com/bitesize/guides/z9fx39q/revision/i Garcia, N. (2008). Philippine gay culture: binabae to bakla, silahis to MSM. University of the Philippines Press. Unit V: Cross-Cutting Issues in Gender and Sexuality 203 L E S S O N 27 G E N D E R AND ACTIVISM Lesson O b ject ives: At the end ofthe lesson, you should be able to: 1. discuss heteronormativity and its manifestations; and 2. appreciate the contribution of activism in social change. Definition of Terms: A c t i v is m - c o t i e c t iv e e ff orts t o sh a p e a n d t ra nsf o r m p o li t ic a l, so ci D c u t t u r a l , a n t o t h e r e n v ir o n m e n t a l st a t us q t l O. Partici p a ti o n - c o n t ri b u t i n g in tra ns f orm ii 1g so c i a l re a liti es b y e n g a g i n g a n d t a k i n g p art in v a ri o us a s p e c t s of a r initiati ve or r e f o r m. C olla b oratio n - w orkin g t o q e: h e r t owards a g o a l. introduction Our society is now advocating towards equal rights for everyone through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which was drafted in 1948 by all countries who are members ofthe United Nations. It acknowledges that everyone, including LGBT people, is equal in dignity and in rights. Although most countries no longer punish or outlaw homosexuality, there is still much to be done for the L G B T people to fully enjoy their human rights. Understanding Heteronormativity Heteronormativity means "of relating to, or based on the attitude that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural expression of sexuality" (Meeriam-Webster Dictionary). Put more simply, it is when we assume that everyone is heterosexual or straight and that it is the standard for everyone. With a heteronormative point of view, straight people are placed at a privileged group by viewing them as the standard or normal. Anyone who does not adhere to that standard are viewed as lesser, like women who love women (lesbians), men who love men (gays), people who love men or women (bisexuals), people who feel that they do not belong to their biological sex (transgender), and other people who reject the notion of gender binaries (male/female, masculine/feminine). Heteronormativity has been so ingrained in our social and political institutions that it has almost become invisible. Most people unknowingly subscribe to heteronormative 204 A Course Module for Gender and Society: A Human Ecological Approach standards just because that is the way it has always been for them. Like assigning blue for boys and pink for girls. But what happens when a boy wants pink toys? They are reprimanded and criticized in a process called normalization. This normalization limits a person's choices and freedoms. For the LGBT, it means they are marginalized, treated as inferior, discriminated on, branded as abnormal, and are treated as second class citizens. This leads to homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, prejudice, discrimination, violence, and other hostile acts towards the L G B T people. One example of heteronormative violence is the murder of L G B T men and women during the Nazi holocaust. In present day, it means punishing L G B T children for expressing who they are or being vocal about who they are attracted to. In the workplace, it could mean being fired or not being promoted just because you are not straight. At home it could mean being disowned by our family because you are L G B T or being bullied by your family because you are not masculine enough or-feminine enough. In politics, it manifests in policies denying L G B T their freedom such as anti-sodomy laws in many countries where being L G B T is a crime punishable by imprisonment or death. It could also mean the absence of laws that would let L G B T live a full life like being able to marry the person they want to marry or enjoying the same rights and privileges that straight families have. C O N T E M P L A T E. Reflect on the following questions: 1. Think about the terms "cry like a girl" and "iyakin, parang bakla". 2. Why would crying like a girl make a man weaker? 3. Why would a boy crying be equated to being "bakla"? 4. Can you give other examples of heteronormativity? Challenging heteronormativity through activism Heteronormativity is a social construct and history has proven society's changing attitudes on homosexuality. History showed us the egalitarian acceptance of homosexuaHty in the ancient hunter-gatherer civilizations, the violent erasure of the gender deviants, and condemnation of homosexuality with the spread of Abrahamic Religion (Jews, Christians, Muslims, and other religions who believe in one god; the god of Abraham). Unit V: Cross-Cutting Issues in Gender and Sexuality 205  L G B T activism have had various social movements to advocate for L G B T people's equal rights (2000s), liberation (i96o's-i970s), and self-acceptance through the homophile movement (1950s). These social movements engaged in political and social activism through street rallies, pride marches, law lobbying, engaging the media, arts, research, and many other activities that empower the L G B T community. Dissent is so powerful it can make significant changes in our society. Breaking the culture of silence on the daily heteronormative violence that are committed and condoned by society is the first step towards social change. We can start by refusing to participate in heteronormative violence towards the LGBT and participating in various events for the L G B T Community. May 17 - International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia - I D A H O T May 31 - International Transgender Day of Visibility November 20 - Transgender day of Remembrance June - June Pride Month COM M UNICATE: Can you remember? This activity helps participants experience the limitations of exclusively auditory communication. Find a partner. Stand such that one of you is facing the other's bacL For 3 minutes, the one in the back should tell the other partner about a personal experience that was especially meaningful or exciting. As s/he is speaking, the other in front should slowly walk away. After the allotted time, the one walking away should tell as much information as s/he can remember. Then, the two of you should change roles. And do the same, now giving the other partner should talk. At the end of third minute, the listening partner should talk about what he or she heard. Reflect on the following: Why this activity is easier for some people than for others? What cues to communication were absent during this activity? A Course Module for Gender and Society: A Human Ecological Approach  How does it feel to have someone walk away when you aie speaking to ihemt How does it feel when you are not being heard? Sum mary Heteronormativity, as a social construct, can be undone through activism. Social change may not be something that happens right away, but decades of L G B T struggle has proven that change can happen. You do not have to be an L G B T to fight for equal rights. You just have to be a human being who believes in freedom and equality for all. Assessmen t 1. Do you think it is important for the youth to continuously engage in nation-building and making reforms or changes in how things are done in our country right now? Why do you think so? 2. Do you think the youth has power to shape how gender is viewed in the modern world? Why do you think so? References Baker, M. (2011). Whats wrong with heteronormtivity? Retrieved on February 2j, 2019 at http://rewriting-the-rules-.com/gender/what's-wrong-with-heteronormativity Garcia, N. (2008). Philippine gay culture: binabae to bakla, silahis to MSM. University of the Philippines Press. The New Encyclopedia of Icebreakers. (2004). John Wiley 8f Sons, Inc. Reproduced by permission of Pfeiffer, an Imprint of Wiley, www.pfeiffer.com Unit V: Cross-Cutting Issues in Gender and Sexuality 207