Attitude Representations- LGBTQ+ Community

Attitude Representations- LGBTQ+ Community

                                                                             Stuart Hall

-How does Attitude represent the LGBTQ community? How do they encourage a preferred response?

    The website represents the LGBTQ+ community in several ways that would provoke a preferred reading. For example, the community is represented as outspoken and confident in an article titled, ‘LGBTQ bar staff respond as Trump supporter’s election video goes viral- “we reserve the right to refuse service.” The article shows that the community are not afraid to stand up for their values and to fight against discriminatory behaviour.

                The context of society is important here, as it is highlighted that the political state of the world is still a major contributor to the lives of the LGBTQ community and that they feel like they have to protect themselves from right leaning political leaders and supporters, showing that whilst on a face-level basis life is easier for LGBTQ people as they have fairer rights etc they still have to campaign and speak out to protect their freedom. Attitude represents this through articles highlighting the unfair treatment that the community faces today- ‘Trump cancels 68 research grants focusing on LGBTQ+ health concerns.’ This article highlights that the LGBTQ community still face unfair treatment, with their health being at risk as a factor. Attitudes audience would take a preferred response to the website for these articles, as it helps raise awareness and keeps the community politically aware on what is going on around the world.

    Another preferred reading that may be taken, is that the community is caring and nurturing to each other, as an article about ‘LGBTQ travellers share their top solo travel tips’, where they share ways to keep safe and secure when travelling along, such as sharing location and always keeping an emergency contact available. The article highlights that the community wants to take care of each other and keep people that they likely don’t even know safe- there is almost a family-like feel in the community conveyed.

  -Is the group stereotyped or represented in a stereotypical way?

 There are multiple articles revolving gambling, almost promoting it, which could be seen as stereotypical, as it is suggesting that a large part of the LGBTQ community involve themselves in addictive gambling behaviours. This could construct a representation that the community is impulsive/ financially reckless in their attitude.

The site is also sponsored by some of these gambling companies, suggesting that there is a strong link between gambling and the audience that Attitude caters to.