Homophobia and Discrimination on

I.9. Media
This section examines how LGBT persons <strong>and</strong> their lives are represented <strong>and</strong> portrayed
in the media across the EU. Media in this context covers public <strong>and</strong> private media, 316 as
well as visual <strong>and</strong> written media, for example the Internet, newspapers <strong>and</strong> television.
Homophobic discourses in the media
Incidents of homophobic discourse appearing in the media were identified in interviews
with LGBT NGOs in Italy <strong>and</strong> Pol<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> the National Equality Body in Latvia, among
others. 317 A recent surveyof portrayal of lesbian, gay, bisexual <strong>and</strong> transgender people in
the Scottish Press found that newspapers seem to be prepared to print letters containing
a level of homophobic abuse which would not be accepted if it were racist. 318 A study in
Lithuania, found that some journalists use homophobic language. 319
Good practice: Together with the European Broadcasting Union, the Lithuanian Gay
League developed a Guide for better media reporting on LGBT issues. The Guide
provides journalists <strong>and</strong> activists with easily applicable tools to improve positive reporting
on LGBT issues. As a result, a closer cooperation with the media has been achieved
resulting in more balanced articles <strong>and</strong> information about LGBT persons in the media. 320
Representations of LGBT persons in the media
In the stakeholder e-survey respondents were asked to assess the representation of
LGBT persons in the media <strong>and</strong> whether showing LGBT persons as a diverse group was
regarded as nuanced, as opposed to stereotypical. Only fourteen per cent of
respondents considered that the media present a 'nuanced' or 'somewhat nuanced'
description of LGBT persons.
Most LGBT NGOs interviewed during the fieldwork reported that LGBT issues are not
often presented in the media, which in varying degrees, tends to simplify, sensationalise
316 While investigating homophobia in media discourses it has not been possible to distinguish between
public <strong>and</strong> private media.
317 Fieldwork meeting with ARCIGAY <strong>and</strong> ARCILESBICA (AL) (Italy 5 March 2008), Campaign against
<strong>Homophobia</strong> (Pol<strong>and</strong> 17 March 2008) <strong>and</strong> with Mozaika (Latvia 12 March 2008, the Ombudsman's Office
(Latvia 12 March 2008)
318 Stonewall (2007) WRITTEN OUT. The Scottish Press’ portrayal of lesbian, gay, bisexual <strong>and</strong> transgender
people, Scotl<strong>and</strong>, available at http://www.stonewallscotl<strong>and</strong>.org.uk/documents/stonewall__written_out.pdf
(05.02.2009)
319 A A. Tereskinas (2007) “Not Private Enough”: Homophobic <strong>and</strong> injurious speech in the Lithuanian Media,
available at http://www.lgl.lt/projektaie.php?pid=35 (05.02.2009)
320 See http://www.ilga-europe.org/europe/funding_capacity_building/working_with_media (17.10.2008)
Part II - The Social Situation
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