1. Representation
and Sexuality
Representation
and Sexuality

2. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
How is/are the character(s) sexual orientation constructed?
There are many types of sexual orientations out there, our main
focus will be on:
- Heterosexuality (most common type)
- Homosexuality (gay and lesbian)
- Transgender
- Transvestite
Sexual orientation is biological, although sceptics think it is
based on choice. What we are concerned with is how is
sexual orientation expressed?
How is/are the character(s) sexual orientation constructed?
There are many types of sexual orientations out there, our main
focus will be on:
- Heterosexuality (most common type)
- Homosexuality (gay and lesbian)
- Transgender
- Transvestite
Sexual orientation is biological, although sceptics think it is
based on choice. What we are concerned with is how is
sexual orientation expressed?

3. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
Heterosexual Women
• Loving/Respectable/average
(monogamous)
• Promiscuous
• Shy/Prudish (uncomfortable)
• Pure (virginal/naive)
• Alternative (‘gold digger’, ‘pregnant
teen’, ‘cougar’)
• Femme fatale (sexual, dangerous)
Heterosexual Women
• Loving/Respectable/average
(monogamous)
• Promiscuous
• Shy/Prudish (uncomfortable)
• Pure (virginal/naive)
• Alternative (‘gold digger’, ‘pregnant
teen’, ‘cougar’)
• Femme fatale (sexual, dangerous)

4. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
Heterosexual Men
• Respectable (monogamous)
• Promiscuous
• ‘Ladies Man’, ‘Heart throb’
• Bumbling man who has
trouble talking to women
Heterosexual Men
• Respectable (monogamous)
• Promiscuous
• ‘Ladies Man’, ‘Heart throb’
• Bumbling man who has
trouble talking to women

5. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
Homosexual women (Lesbian)
• Monogamous
• Promiscuous
• Embarrassed (In the closet)
Homosexual women (Lesbian)
• Monogamous
• Promiscuous
• Embarrassed (In the closet)

6. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
Homosexual Males (Gay)
• Promiscuous
• Monogamous
• Overbearing
• Effeminate
• Masculine
• Embarrassed (In the
closet)
Homosexual Males (Gay)
• Promiscuous
• Monogamous
• Overbearing
• Effeminate
• Masculine
• Embarrassed (In the
closet)

7. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
Useful terms:
• Homophobic
• Conservative beliefs
• Progressive beliefs/forward thinking
• Traditional gender roles/attitudes towards
sex
• Celibate
• Double standards
• Sexually active
• Flirting
• Romantic love
Useful terms:
• Homophobic
• Conservative beliefs
• Progressive beliefs/forward thinking
• Traditional gender roles/attitudes towards
sex
• Celibate
• Double standards
• Sexually active
• Flirting
• Romantic love

8. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
Important points to consider
• Gender closely ties in with
sexuality.
• Sexuality is often expressed
through physical means; clothes,
props, setting, acting.
• Understanding how a particular
characters gender is constructed
will help you analyse how their
sexuality is being represented.
Important points to consider
• Gender closely ties in with
sexuality.
• Sexuality is often expressed
through physical means; clothes,
props, setting, acting.
• Understanding how a particular
characters gender is constructed
will help you analyse how their
sexuality is being represented.

9. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
As always you should ask:
•How are they being represented?
•Is the representation positive /
negative?
•Is it stereotypical?
As always you should ask:
•How are they being represented?
•Is the representation positive /
negative?
•Is it stereotypical?

10. Representation of SexualityRepresentation of Sexuality
As always you should ask:
•How are they being represented?
•Is the representation positive /
negative?
•Is it stereotypical?
As always you should ask:
•How are they being represented?
•Is the representation positive /
negative?
•Is it stereotypical?