This blog post will highlight a selection of our library resources which relate to LGBT+ History Month’s theme of ‘behind the lens’. This year we can celebrate all of those who have and do work within film and cinema from the LGBT+ community. We can also learn about past and present challenges and foster greater understanding. It’s hoped that one impact of the theme will be to inspire future generations to enter the industry and tell their own stories.

I began my literature search with enthusiasm. I discovered a range of texts and resources on LGBT+ cinema and the theory of sexuality and gender, which you can browse via the links below. Unfortunately, in my search for information on the achievements of LGBT+ people working in the industry, I retrieved limited results. I soon realised that finding information about LGBT+ people from within the industry, such as the filmmakers, screenwriters, lighting directors, cinematographers, make-up artists, costume designers (the list goes on) is challenging. But why? It could be caused by the way resources are traditionally classified and catalogued which impacts on their discoverability. It could also be that there is a limited amount of information on this topic. After a few searches, it seems that there is more (or more that is discoverable) which is written about LGBT+ characters on screen than those ‘behind the lens’.

The tension between how LGBT+ people are represented onscreen, and their lived experience is also encompassed by this year’s theme. The yearly GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index examines the portrayal of LGBTQ characters in films released by seven motion picture studios. In their most recent report (2022), they remark on ‘an issue with the lack of meaningful screen time for LGBTQ characters in releases from major studio distributors’. They also observe the recurring negative representation of LGBTQ people each year.

Despite this continuing trend, research by Cheng, Zhou and Yao (2022), which examined 4261 films, found that ‘movies with LGBT-inclusive representation outperform those with no LGBT representation or with LGBT-themed representation’. Their research suggests that diverse representation is supported by film audiences. One way to improve representation on screen is to have greater diversity within the industry. Demasi (2022) writes of unrealistic portrayals of LGBTQ+ experiences, due to a lack of ‘focus on hiring queer people to tell queer stories’. Her article offers a platform for six New York-based LGBTQ+ cinematographers who explain how they ‘made it’ in the industry. In the UK, there are opportunities to advance your career, including BFI Flare LGBT Filmmakers’ mentorships. You can view this year’s mentees here. This scheme is part of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, taking place this year from 15-26 March 2023, which shows the best international LGBTQIA+ cinema.

Our LGBT+ library resources

The library has a Film, Radio and Television resources guide which offers guidance on how to access our books, articles and other resources related to the film and television industry. You can also view our short video on how to begin searching for film and documentaries using our databases: https://youtu.be/He4wzbpInJs

Below are links to resources which offer a starting point for anyone looking to research the theme of LGBTQ+ film and television.

• Books on LGBTQ+ cinema and theory of sexuality and gender
• Broadcast is an industry magazine which you can access by registering for an account. It is an invaluable source for business information about the British TV Industry, at home and around the world. Find out how to access this resource with the following video guide: https://youtu.be/VJfzNyQOHdo
• LGBT+ Film

References

Cheng, Y., Zhou, x., Yao, k. (2022) ‘LGBT‑Inclusive Representation in Entertainment Products and Its Market Response: Evidence from Field and Lab’, Journal of Business Ethics. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05075-4 

GLAAD (2022) ‘Observations & Recommendations’, Studio Responsibility Index for 2022.Available at: https://www.glaad.org/sri/2022/observations-recommendations (Accessed: 31 January 2023).

Demasi, L. (2022) ‘6 LGBTQ+ cinematographers on breaking out and building a queer film utopia’, I-D. Available at: https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/wxdap5/how-to-become-a-filmmaker (Accessed: 31 January 2023).