Introduction
In the late 20th century and early 21st century, the activists for both the AIDS pandemic and LGBTQ+ issue utilized well the media to address those issues. The media greatly assisted these activists because it provided them with a platform to challenge social norms, advocate for change, and increase the effectiveness of their voices towards those two issues. This essay will discuss the role of media in the activism of the AIDS crisis, the impact of LGBTQ+ in Los Angeles on Hollywood, and also the influence that the media has on power dynamics, more so regarding the LGBTQ+ community.
Role of Media in AIDS Activism
The media played various roles in AIDS activism when the AIDS crisis was at its peak. The different advocacy groups, such as “AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power,” popularly known as ACT UP, for this crisis took over the media to stop all the destructive attitudes that the public had towards people who were AIDS infected. The activists used several ways to get the resources they needed, and attention from society and policymakers, including media initiatives, protests, and direct actions (Rich et al., 2020), and all these were seen in the media.
Thus, the media helped the activists gain greater public awareness because they capitalized on the media coverage. The press also provided the activists with a platform where they could address the ongoing stigmatization of people who have AIDS. The activists collaborated well with the journalists so that they could come up with a way to stop the narratives that were being spread about the people infected with AIDS (Rich et al., 2020). The journalists would produce the campaigns on the AIDS crisis and stage the activists’ dramatic protests to ensure that the public became aware of all that was happening.
From the collaboration that the activists had with the media, they were now able to ask for support regarding the AIDS crisis, shape the destructive attitudes that the public had toward AIDS, and also prompt action. Thus, the media played a crucial role during the activism of the AIDS crisis because it made it easier for the activists to ask for support, amplify their voices, and also stop all the bad attitudes and narratives that were ongoing regarding AIDS. The strategic engagement with the journalists ensured an effective change in fighting the AIDS pandemic (Rich et al., 2020).
LGBTQ+ Community in L.A and Hollywood
The LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles has an effective relationship with Hollywood, shaping both the media portrayal and activism. The significance of Hollywood as a platform has implemented approaches for visibility while at the same time presenting the challenges through the ongoing stereotypes of the LGBTQ+ community. However, within this complex activity, the LGBTQ+ community has prospered, maximizing its influence and presence. The entertainment industry has been crucial in portraying LGBTQ+ characters where, sometimes developing progressive representations yet also reinforcing bad tropes (Busch, 2020). Despite all this, the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles has applied its impact within Hollywood through the prominent positions that the people from the LGBTQ+ community hold; various networks are fostered, networks that advocate for authentic representation and increased visibility.
This relationship is thus characterized by both tension and collaboration. Hollywood has an image of a stage where the narratives of LGBTQ+ are displayed but also as a battleground where the stereotypes regarding the LGBTQ+ community are challenged. Activism within the community has been very active in implementing more diverse and accurate portrayals. In contrast, the individuals of the LGBTQ+ community in Hollywood have taken their places well to advocate for change from within (Busch, 2020). Overall, the LGBTQ+ community in LA and Hollywood have a strong history of relationships illustrated by setbacks and progress. Through advocacy and resilience, there is a continuation of striving for LGBTQ+ experiences portrayal that is authentic and inclusive and also shaping the landscape of media representation.
Influence of Media on Power Dynamics
There is a significant influence that the media holds on power dynamics, more so within the LGBTQ+ community. Traditionally, the press blended the stereotypes, diminished the voices of LGBTQ activists, and also upheld heteronormative ideals. Consequently, this made the oppression and marginalization of the experiences of LGBTQ+ people continue indefinitely, thus making it difficult for these individuals to access opportunities, resources, and social acceptance. Despite the LGBTQ+ activists facing all these challenges, they have utilized various media platforms to advocate for change, request their rights, and challenge the ongoing narratives regarding this community (Walker et al., 2020).
Through cultural interventions and online activism, LGBTQ+ activists have showcased their humanity and visibility and reshaped the media portrayal because they have contested the status quo. The rise of platforms such as social networking and digital media platforms has assisted a lot of LGBTQ+ activists because they provide them with spaces where they can share their stories, advocate for change, and connect well with others (Walker et al., 2020). Through such platforms, the mainstream media narratives get challenged, and the diverse narratives get disseminated, thus resulting in community resilience and empowerment of LGBTQ+ voices. While the media has historically made an indefinite continuation of power dynamics that diminish the LGBTQ+ community people, it has also aided in achieving social change, empowerment, and resistance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the media has influenced AIDS and LGBTQ+ activism in the late 20th century and early 21st century; the press has been both a tool for resistance and a site of struggle for LGBTQ+ activists and AIDS activists. These activists have used the media platforms to advocate for change, assert humanity and their rights, and challenge social norms. This paper has looked into the role that the media had in the activism of AIDS; it provided a platform where the activists showed their protests and challenged the perceptions of the public towards the people who were affected by this pandemic. It also discussed the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles and Hollywood and, lastly, the influence that the media has on power dynamics, more so on the LGBTQ+ community. It is essential to continue using the media to create a more equitable and inclusive society by amplifying the diverse voices and shaping the narratives regarding AIDS and the LGBTQ+ community.
References
Busch, P. (2020). LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER,+ REPRESENTATION IN FILM TO PROMOTE INCLUSION IN EDUCATION (Doctoral dissertation, San Francisco State University).
Rich, J. A. J. (2020). Organizing twenty-first-century activism: From structure to strategy in Latin American social movements. Latin American Research Review, 55(3), 430-444.
Walker, A. M., & DeVito, M. A. (2020, April). “‘More gay ‘fits in better”: Intracommunity Power Dynamics and Harms in Online LGBTQ+ Spaces. In Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-15).
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