We Deserve Better: Spanish Adolescents’ Perspectives of the Portrayal of LGBTQ+ Characters in Fiction

Abstract

This research explores Spanish adolescents’ attitudes toward the representation of young LGBTQ+ individuals in Spanish fiction series on digital platforms and TV channels. It focuses on (1) preferred portrayals and (2) disliked aspects of available portrayals. Opinions from 20 adolescents (16–21 years old) were gathered through four online focus groups (4–7 participants each). Thematic analysis reveals a perceived lack of diversity among fictional LGBTQ+ characters. Adolescents desire portrayals that include diverse gender and sexual identities, comprehensive representation of transgender experiences, and multifaceted LGBTQ+ characters. They prefer portrayals that normalize LGBTQ+ identities and address real challenges faced by adolescents. They seek authentic, visually appealing, and diverse depictions of love and intimacy and LGBTQ+ adolescent communities portrayed by LGBTQ+ actors. They criticize idealized depictions of love, improbable sexual interactions, misrepresentations of LGBTQ+ adolescents’ interest in romance, sex, or parties, the inclusion of characters just to fulfill diversity quotas, the objectification of females, and tragic LGBTQ+ narratives. Adolescents also challenge normative assumptions and media adultcentrism. The results offer insights for communication studies, media professionals, and educators.