{"title":"The Representation of Gay Characters in Chilean Telenovelas: From 1990s TV to the Streaming Era.","authors":"Rodrigo Fernández-Schütz","doi":"10.1080/00918369.2025.2540372","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This research examines the evolution of gay character representation in Chilean telenovelas from the early 1990s to the present day. Through content analysis of key productions and consideration of their sociocultural contexts, this study traces the progression from stereotypical, comedic portrayals to increasingly complex and normalized depictions. The research identifies several distinct phases in this evolution, correlating them with Chile's shifting social, political, and legal landscapes regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Findings suggest that telenovelas have both reflected and influenced social attitudes toward homosexuality in Chile, particularly as the medium has moved from peripheral, comedic gay characters to central gay protagonists with authentic storylines. The study concludes that while significant progress has been made in representation, challenges persist in achieving fully dimensional portrayals that encompass the diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences in Chilean society.</p>","PeriodicalId":48221,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Homosexuality","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Homosexuality","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2025.2540372","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This research examines the evolution of gay character representation in Chilean telenovelas from the early 1990s to the present day. Through content analysis of key productions and consideration of their sociocultural contexts, this study traces the progression from stereotypical, comedic portrayals to increasingly complex and normalized depictions. The research identifies several distinct phases in this evolution, correlating them with Chile's shifting social, political, and legal landscapes regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Findings suggest that telenovelas have both reflected and influenced social attitudes toward homosexuality in Chile, particularly as the medium has moved from peripheral, comedic gay characters to central gay protagonists with authentic storylines. The study concludes that while significant progress has been made in representation, challenges persist in achieving fully dimensional portrayals that encompass the diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences in Chilean society.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Homosexuality is an internationally acclaimed, peer-reviewed publication devoted to publishing a wide variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship to foster a thorough understanding of the complexities, nuances, and the multifaceted aspects of sexuality and gender. The chief aim of the journal is to publish thought-provoking scholarship by researchers, community activists, and scholars who employ a range of research methodologies and who offer a variety of perspectives to continue shaping knowledge production in the arenas of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) studies and queer studies. The Journal of Homosexuality is committed to offering substantive, accessible reading to researchers and general readers alike in the hope of: spurring additional research, offering ideas to integrate into educational programs at schools, colleges & universities, or community-based organizations, and manifesting activism against sexual and gender prejudice (e.g., homophobia, biphobia and transphobia), including the promotion of sexual and gender justice.