Sexuality in Contemporary Media
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Sexuality and Culture course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Ableism refers to the discrimination or prejudice against people with disabiliti… #
This can be a challenge for media producers who want to promote inclusion and diversity in their content. Related terms include disability studies and representation.
Ageism is the prejudice or discrimination against people based on their age, whi… #
For example, older adults may be stereotyped as being asexual or uninterested in sex. Related terms include age and generation.
Anthropology is the study of human beings, including their behavior , c… #
In the context of sexuality in contemporary media, anthropology can help us understand how different cultures represent and regulate sexuality. Related terms include ethnography and fieldwork.
Asexuality refers to a person who does not experience sexual attraction t… #
Asexuality is often erased or marginalized in media representation, which can make it difficult for asexual individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include aromanticism and graysexuality.
BDSM stands for bondage , discipline , dominance , submissi… #
It refers to a range of sexual practices that involve power exchange and consent. BDSM is often stigmatized or marginalized in media representation, which can make it difficult for BDSM practitioners to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include kink and fetish.
Binary refers to a system of classification that divides people into two… #
The binary system can be limiting and exclusive, which can make it difficult for people who do not fit into these categories to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include nonbinary and genderqueer.
Biphobia refers to the prejudice or discrimination against bisexual peopl… #
Biphobia can make it difficult for bisexual individuals to find relatable characters or storylines, and can also perpetuate negative stereotypes about bisexuality. Related terms include monosexism and heterosexism.
Butch refers to a masculine or androgynous presentation, often ass… #
Butch identities and experiences are often marginalized or erased in media representation, which can make it difficult for butch individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include femme and androgyny.
Camp refers to a style or aesthetic that is playful , hum… #
Camp can be a way of subverting or challenging traditional norms and expectations around sexuality and gender. Related terms include drag and performance.
Censorship refers to the regulation or suppression of content that… #
Censorship can be a challenge for media producers who want to create content that is explicit or controversial, and can also limit the representation of sexuality and relationships in media. Related terms include free speech and expression.
Coming out refers to the process of disclosing one's sexual orientatio… #
Coming out can be a challenging and vulnerable experience, and media representation can play a role in supporting or hindering this process. Related terms include outness and visibility.
Consent refers to the agreement or permission to engage in a parti… #
Consent is an important aspect of healthy relationships and sexuality, and media representation can play a role in promoting or undermining consent. Related terms include enthusiastic consent and affirmative consent.
Cross #
dressing refers to the act of wearing clothing or attire that is not typically associated with one's gender or sex. Cross-dressing can be a way of expressing or exploring one's gender identity, and media representation can play a role in supporting or stigmatizing cross-dressing. Related terms include drag and transvestism.
Discourse refers to a system or structure of language and <… #
Discourse can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around sexuality and relationships. Related terms include narrative and storytelling.
Drag refers to the act of performing or portraying a particular <i… #
Drag can be a way of subverting or challenging traditional norms and expectations around sexuality and gender. Related terms include camp and performance.
Eroticism refers to the quality or state of being arousing … #
Eroticism can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality, and media representation can play a role in promoting or undermining eroticism. Related terms include pornography and sexy.
Femininity refers to the quality or state of being feminine … #
Femininity can be a way of expressing or exploring one's gender identity, and media representation can play a role in supporting or stigmatizing femininity. Related terms include masculinity and androgyny.
Femme refers to a feminine or female presentation, often associate… #
Femme identities and experiences are often marginalized or erased in media representation, which can make it difficult for femme individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include butch and androgyny.
Fluidity refers to the quality or state of being flexible o… #
Fluidity can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality or gender identity, and media representation can play a role in supporting or stigmatizing fluidity. Related terms include nonbinary and genderqueer.
Gay refers to a person who is attracted to others of the same sex … #
Gay identities and experiences are often marginalized or erased in media representation, which can make it difficult for gay individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include lesbian and queer.
Gender refers to the social or cultural construction of … #
Gender can be a way of expressing or exploring one's identity, and media representation can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around gender. Related terms include sex and sexuality.
Genderqueer refers to a person who does not identify with traditional … #
Genderqueer identities and experiences are often marginalized or erased in media representation, which can make it difficult for genderqueer individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include nonbinary and fluidity.
Hegemony refers to the dominant or prevailing culture or <i… #
Hegemony can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around sexuality and relationships. Related terms include power and dominance.
Heteronormativity refers to the assumption or expectation that … #
Heteronormativity can make it difficult for nonheterosexual individuals to find relatable characters or storylines, and can also perpetuate negative stereotypes about nonheterosexual people. Related terms include homophobia and biphobia.
Homophobia refers to the fear or prejudice against homosexual</… #
Homophobia can make it difficult for homosexual individuals to find relatable characters or storylines, and can also perpetuate negative stereotypes about homosexuality. Related terms include biphobia and transphobia.
Homosociality refers to the social or cultural context in w… #
Homosociality can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality or gender identity, and media representation can play a role in supporting or stigmatizing homosociality. Related terms include homosexuality and queer.
Identity refers to the personal or social construction of <… #
Identity can be a way of expressing or exploring one's self, and media representation can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around identity. Related terms include self and subjectivity.
Intersectionality refers to the idea that different forms of op… #
Intersectionality can be a way of understanding or analyzing the complex ways in which sexuality, gender, and cultural background intersect and impact one another. Related terms include oppression and discrimination.
Kink refers to a range of sexual practices or activities th… #
Kink can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality, and media representation can play a role in promoting or undermining kink. Related terms include BDSM and fetish.
Lesbian refers to a woman who is attracted to other women #
Lesbian identities and experiences are often marginalized or erased in media representation, which can make it difficult for lesbian individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include gay and queer.
Masculinity refers to the quality or state of being masculine</… #
Masculinity can be a way of expressing or exploring one's gender identity, and media representation can play a role in supporting or stigmatizing masculinity. Related terms include femininity and androgyny.
Media refers to the channels or platforms through which informa… #
Media can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around sexuality and relationships. Related terms include representation and visibility.
Minority refers to a group of people who are underrepresented or <… #
Minority identities and experiences are often erased or marginalized in media representation, which can make it difficult for minority individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include oppression and discrimination.
Nonbinary refers to a person who does not identify with traditional ma… #
Nonbinary identities and experiences are often marginalized or erased in media representation, which can make it difficult for nonbinary individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include genderqueer and fluidity.
Normativity refers to the idea that certain behaviors or practi… #
Normativity can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around sexuality and relationships. Related terms include deviance and nonconformity.
Objectification refers to the process of treating a person as an <… #
Objectification can be a way of perpetuating negative stereotypes or attitudes towards certain groups of people, and can also contribute to the erasure or marginalization of certain identities or experiences. Related terms include sexualization and exploitation.
Oppression refers to the systematic or institutionalized discri… #
Oppression can be a way of understanding or analyzing the complex ways in which sexuality, gender, and cultural background intersect and impact one another. Related terms include discrimination and marginalization.
Pansexuality refers to the attraction to people of all genders or… #
Pansexuality is often erased or marginalized in media representation, which can make it difficult for pansexual individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include bisexuality and queer.
Performance refers to the act of presenting or enacting a p… #
Performance can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality or gender identity, and media representation can play a role in supporting or stigmatizing performance. Related terms include drag and camp.
Performativity refers to the idea that identities or roles … #
Performativity can be a way of understanding or analyzing the complex ways in which sexuality, gender, and cultural background intersect and impact one another. Related terms include performance and identity.
Pleasure refers to the experience of enjoyment or satisfaction<… #
Pleasure can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality, and media representation can play a role in promoting or undermining pleasure. Related terms include desire and arousal.
Pornography refers to the representation of sexual or erotic</i… #
Pornography can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality, and media representation can play a role in promoting or undermining pornography. Related terms include erotica and sexy.
Power refers to the ability or capacity to influence or … #
Power can be a way of understanding or analyzing the complex ways in which sexuality, gender, and cultural background intersect and impact one another. Related terms include dominance and oppression.
Queer refers to a person who does not identify with traditional hetero… #
Queer identities and experiences are often marginalized or erased in media representation, which can make it difficult for queer individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include gay, lesbian, and nonbinary.
Racism refers to the prejudice or discrimination against people ba… #
Racism can be a way of understanding or analyzing the complex ways in which sexuality, gender, and cultural background intersect and impact one another. Related terms include oppression and marginalization.
Representation refers to the way in which people or groups are … #
Representation can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around sexuality and relationships. Related terms include visibility and media.
Sex refers to the biological or physical characteristics th… #
Sex can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality, and media representation can play a role in promoting or undermining sex. Related terms include gender and sexuality.
Sexism refers to the prejudice or discrimination against people ba… #
Sexism can be a way of understanding or analyzing the complex ways in which sexuality, gender, and cultural background intersect and impact one another. Related terms include oppression and marginalization.
Sexuality refers to the complex and multifaceted aspects of human… #
Sexuality can be a way of expressing or exploring one's self, and media representation can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around sexuality. Related terms include gender and relationships.
Sexualization refers to the process of treating a person as a s… #
Sexualization can be a way of perpetuating negative stereotypes or attitudes towards certain groups of people, and can also contribute to the erasure or marginalization of certain identities or experiences. Related terms include objectification and exploitation.
Subjectivity refers to the personal or individual experience</i… #
Subjectivity can be a way of expressing or exploring one's sexuality or gender identity, and media representation can play a role in supporting or stigmatizing subjectivity. Related terms include identity and self.
Transgender refers to a person who does not identify with the sex … #
Transgender identities and experiences are often marginalized or erased in media representation, which can make it difficult for transgender individuals to find relatable characters or storylines. Related terms include nonbinary and genderqueer.
Transphobia refers to the fear or prejudice against transgender… #
Transphobia can make it difficult for transgender individuals to find relatable characters or storylines, and can also perpetuate negative stereotypes about transgender people. Related terms include homophobia and biphobia.
Visibility refers to the degree to which a particular group or … #
Visibility can play a role in shaping or challenging norms and expectations around sexuality and relationships. Related terms include representation and media.