As a queer person, queer representation isn’t always there in the media. I’ve already discussed queer representation and the lack of diversity in it on my blog, but I’m here again to talk about different types of representation. The one used against us, and the one we find for ourselves.
Queer people are pretty much ignored when it comes to popular TV shows or films, and yet, many of the fans create headcanons about certain characters. They find comfort in these characters because they feel akin to them, as though they have something in common. A lot of the time, it’s that these characters are queer. But, they’re not queer in canon, this is important to note.
The majority of characters who the fandom believe are queer are, in the show or movie, straight. Or at least, their sexuality isn’t really discussed. And yet, for some reason, they’re headcanoned as queer. And there are usually a couple of reasons as to why this may be.
The first reason is that the character in question seems to be queer-coded. They may have traits in common with a lot of the queer fanbase, traits which people then recognise to be more associated with queer people. The character may, for example, become flustered around someone of the same gender, or have a really strong love for their best friend. There are numerous reasons why a character may appear queer-coded, and there’s no set traits that can easily explain queer-coding. I hate to say that they just give off a queer vibe, but they do.
The other main reason is a more problematic one, the reason known as queer-baiting. This is when throughout a show or a film, a queer relationship is hinted at, or the character who appears to be queer-coded is thought to come out or something. But, by the end, the characters all end up in heterosexual relationships and the idea of anything else is somewhat mocked or dismissed. This is often done by producers to keep a queer audience hooked, to maintain the viewings and have the fandom hyped about possible queer representation.
The two don’t truly sound that dissimilar, but the intentions behind them are vastly different. Queer-coding tends to happen because the show/movie runners don’t know if they’ll be able to have a queer character – the show might be on a somewhat conservative network, or it might have been ahead of its time in terms of queer representation. So, instead of having an openly queer character who may be written off, the producers, writers, actors etc hint at the character being queer. They give them certain traits which the more eagle-eyed fans notice and link to being queer. The intentions behind this are usually good, and the only reason the character isn’t openly queer is because of a fear of backlash. Before I start giving examples, I’ll talk a little bit more about queer-baiting. Queer-baiting is generally accepted by the fanbase, particularly those who are queer themselves, as a bad thing. It's seen as more exploitative. By hinting at queerness, the show attracts the attention of queer fans who latch on to these characters, because they feel like they're finally seen. They keep their views up by hinting at a queer romance every ten episodes or whatever – whilst putting a lot more emphasis on heterosexual relationships – only for the ending to be overly heterosexual. By overly heterosexual I mean by either putting two characters together who have ZERO chemistry, by emphasising that ‘this couple is straight’ or getting rid of any queer characters that were actually there. Queer-baiting is a marketing and a sales technique, and it’s nine times out of ten achieved by exploiting its queer fanbase.
So, what are some examples of these? You may wonder. Well, I’ll give you some.
Many view a lot of Shakespeare’s characters as queer-coded, although this may come from Shakespeare’s own suspected bisexuality. Characters such as Duke Orsino – who became exceptionally fond of his page boy ‘Cesario’ - are believed to be bisexual, as there was a suspected romantic leaning before he discovered Cesario was merely Viola in disguise. Many essays discuss coding in their queer readings, particularly in Hamlet. Many, including myself, believe there was a romantic relationship – or at least romantic feelings from both sides – between Hamlet and his closest friend Horatio. There are several arguments that Hamlet’s death in particular points to a homosexual reading towards the characters, as our hero dies emotionally in the arms of his friend – a trope more typical to lovers. There are queer readings of many of Shakespeare’s sonnets, which suggest he had purposely queer-coded his work, however, critics can’t decide due to a lack of evidence.
More modern examples of queer-coding include the characters of Ryan and Kelsey from High School Musical, with Ryan being believed to be gay and Kelsey believed to be a lesbian. Many view their coupling as them being each other’s beards, or as Disney’s way of preventing the display of homosexuality. Yet, Ryan adheres to many gay stereotypes of being flamboyant and into theatre, and there’s also a queer interpretation of I Don’t Dance between Ryan and Chad in the second movie (big up the sexual tension). Many characters in the Harry Potter universe are believed to be queer-coded, including Harry himself. However, many in the fandom believe this was accidental, considering Rowling’s problematic history with the LGBTQ+ community. The fanbase have still managed to create some beautiful headcanons as a result, with some of the fandoms favourite couples being queer.
Many have accused Supernatural of queer-baiting throughout the years, especially after the show’s finale. *spoilers incoming* There was a believed romance between Castiel and Dean throughout the show, with many viewing Dean as a closeted bisexual – he had several flirtatious moments with male characters and occasionally became flustered around others. However, by the end of the show, Castiel had confessed his love, been sent to Hell, and Dean never brought it up before his death. It’s strongly believed by the fandom that this relationship was queer-baited over the years, particularly as many in the fandom felt akin to Dean. However, the show has had many writers over the years, and some believe that one fully intended to make the couple canon before he ultimately quit the show as a result of his work being unwritten by other writers – he'd create a queer story line only for the other writers to completely ‘straighten’ Dean out in later episodes.
There are so many examples of queer-baiting within TV, including JohnLock (John Watson and Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock), Merthur (Merlin and Arthur in the BBC Merlin) and countless other shows. Show runners often claim that this was never their intention, but simply the fandom looking too much into their friendships. It’s a constant battle between the fanbase and the show runners, and some argue that the shows are simply trying to present positive male friendships. Whilst this is sometimes the case, it is important to note how often show runners take advantage of their fanbase – especially those who are queer – by hinting throughout the show at something more.
Queer representation is so hard to come by in media, as nine times out of ten, nothing comes out of the queer-coding or queer-baiting.
I will say one thing though, this is exactly why I find queerness in between the lines. So many of my favourite films or favourite characters are queer-coded, only nothing comes out of it. The characters end up straight, or they don’t address anything, and it ends. I look to fandom headcanons to find my representation, whether that’s Harry Potter (as problematic as it, and the writer is) or High School Musical, Teen Wolf, or The Umbrella Academy. Whatever. There are so many characters that could definitely be understood as queer, and so I look between the lines, and I fill in the gaps. But I shouldn’t have to do this. I should be able to find representation out there for me. Every queer kid should. We either have to make up our own readings of it, or wait 13 seasons of a show, desperately hoping to see ourselves, only to be brutally disappointed by the ending.
It’s a heart-breaking thing, that so many of us don’t see ourselves represented and yet are exploited by the shows we love, and that’s why we need more queer people in positions to create positive queer representation in the media, and we need to keep having these discussions to call show runners out.