A history of LGBTQ+ representation in film

An article on stacker.com Depictions of queer and trans people have been present in the film medium since its inception more than 100 years ago, but due to censorship and varying degrees of prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community at different points in time, onscreen representation has a long, complicated, and often coded history.

Podcasting a live event can be a great way to make your valuable event reach more people though the power of audio. It can help showcase the work and document the event for future listening.

This guide has been created by Adam Zmith, Co-founder of Aunt Nell, Producer of The Log Books and The Film We Can’t See.

It is a guide for film programmers / event managers / tech people working in cinemas who want to make a podcast out of their live events. It has been created for our T.L.C (aka Tender Loving Care for Trans-Led / Trans-Loved Cinema) series of events and podcasts. The is aimed at people who would like to create a podcast and are running live events in cinemas where there will be a PA/sound system and assistance from a tech person.

This guide intends to give you broad headings for everything you need to think about, some answers for how to make it all happen, and links out to further information.

Download the How To Podcast Your Live Event guide

Lesbian Visibility Week is about solidarity with all LGBTQI+ woman and non binary people in the community, as well as celebrating lesbians. It is essential that Lesbian Visibility Week is a voice for unity and lifts up ALL women, especially those who come from marginalised communities. Recent research (Pride Matters survey, conducted by Pride In London 2018) has shown that gay women are almost twice as unlikely to be out in the workplace as gay male colleagues.

There has been a Lesbian Visibility Day since 2008.

Building on this, DIVA want to create a week that recognises, celebrates and importantly supports lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women across the UK and beyond to be their true selves at work, at home and socially.

​#LesbianVisibilityWeek  |  #LVW  |  #LWithTheT

Lesbianism and Cinema

Now is as important as ever to support the work of LGBTQ+ filmmakers and stories. We have some lists of films here which focus on lesbian stories or characters, however lesbianism can often be misrepresented and/or underrepresented in film. We hope increasing awareness and visibility will springboard more authentic representation in film, both onscreen and behind the camera.

If you are interested in running a film inspired event, we have provided some links below for further information to help inspire programming in your venue, or for running events or activity online.

How to Become as Straight as a Rainbow | Anna Rosenwasser | TEDxHochschuleLuzern

LesFlicks

Project overview Why the project matters Social isolation is a problem within the LGBTQ+ community at the best of times, but even more so during the pandemic as the few social spaces (bars and events) that were in place were removed. The LGBTQ+ community suffers increased poor mental health and this can be driven by … More

September is Bisexuality Visibility Month, during which is Bi Visibility Day on September 23rd. It’s a month to come together in solidarity to unite, raise awareness, challenge erasure and celebrate bisexual and biromantic people and communities.

Events celebrating Bi Visibility which are needed more than ever for those who may be less visible and more marginalised at this time.

Activists and allies can support bisexual people, and the LGBTQIA community by:

  • Increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (“LGBTQIA”) people, their history, lives and their experiences in the curriculum and culture of educational and other institutions, and the wider community;
  • Raising awareness and advancing education on matters affecting the LGBTQIA community;
  • Working to make educational and other institutions safe spaces for all LGBTQIA communities; and
  • Promoting the welfare of LGBTQIA people, by ensuring that the education system recognises and enables LGBTQIA people to achieve their full potential, so they contribute fully to society and lead fulfilled lives, thus benefiting society as a whole.

Bisexuality and Cinema

Now is as important as ever to support the work of LGBTQ+ filmmakers and stories. We have some lists of films here which focus on bisexual stories or characters, however bisexuality can often be misrepresented and/or underrepresented in film. We hope increasing awareness and visibility will springboard more authentic representation in film, both onscreen and behind the camera.

If you are interested in running a film inspired event, we have provided some links below for further information to help inspire programming in your venue, or for running events or activity online.

Bisexuality: The Invisible Letter "B" | Misty Gedlinske | TEDxOshkosh

Cinerama Film Online LGBTQ films: The Essential Collection

For the LGBTQ community, film has long been a vehicle for challenging social oppression and isolation. While in turn furthering inclusion and understanding of the LGBTQ communities rich place in history, art and culture. This has led to a cinematic journey that not only reflects the history of the people at its heart. But also … More