¿Transmiten los informativos de la
televisión una ideología heteronormativa?
Does TV news convey a heteronormative ideology?
Rafael Ventura
Communication Department
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Monothematic TNR 2016: Research on gender and LGBT issues
(Barcelona, April 21st, 2016)
This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of Spain,
research project “Analysis of Audiovisual Narratives on Civilizations and
Cultures. Representations and interpretations of television news narratives”
[grant number CSO2011-23786].
Terminology
clarification
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Heteronormativity:
It is a concept used to describe the variety of ways in which
heterosexuality is naturalized within society, appearing as the
only legitime and desirable way of sexuality.
The only “normal” model of beheviour.
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The straight mind − Monique Wittig (1980)
Compulsory heterosexuality − Adrienne Rich (1980)
Heterosexual matrix − Judith Butler (1990)
Heteronormativity − Michael Warner (1991)
“To live in society is to live in heterosexuality… Heterosexuality
is always already there within all mental categories” (Wittig, 1992)
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What do the media has to do with heteronormativity?

Media influence, media effects, media impact
“The social, cultural, and psychological impact of
communicating via the mass media” (Bryant and Zillmann, 1989)
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What do the media has to do with heteronormativity?

Media influence, media effects, media impact
General Audience
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What do the media has to do with heteronormativity?

Media influence, media effects, media impact
General Audience
LGBT+ Audience
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• Dale Tomasson, Big Love: suicide (2010)
• Felix Gaeta, Battlestar Galactica: executed (2009)
• Eddie, True Blood: murdered (2008)
• Alex, In Treatment: suicide (2008)
• Ianto Jones, Torchwood: murdered by aliens (2009)
• 11-12, The Prisoner: suicide (2009)
• 909, The Prisoner: murdered (2009)
• Joseph, Kings: murdered (2009)
• Omar Little, The Wire: murdered (2008)
• Ray Fiske, Damages: suicide (2007)
• Steve, Reaper: casualty of demon war (2008)
• Vito, The Sopranos: murdered (2006)
“LGBT+ youth are 4 times more likely to attempt
suicide than their heterosexual peers” (CDC, 2011)
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What do the media has to do with heteronormativity?

Media influence, media effects, media impact
“What types of content, in what type of medium, affect
which people, in what situations” (Lang, 2013)
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
General objective
To detect elements that indicate (or not) the existence of a
heteronormative discourse in television news in Spain.
1
0

Specific Objectives
O.1: To find out the narrative treatment given to the different models
of sexuality in the analyzed television news stories.
O.2: To detect the frames used in the analyzed television news stories.
O.3: To compare the treatment given by the different TV channels.
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
Sample:
Audience ranking
12,2%
12,5%
13,9%
(Kantar Media, 2012)
Most populated regions
(INE, 2012)
13,8%
17,9%
16 %
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
Sample:
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
Sample:
Night prime time
15
May
M
15
June
Tu
W
Th
15
July
F
Sa
Su
4,184 news stories
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Selection criteria
- Any representation of sexuality, including heterosexuality.
- Sex-affective couples and family models, when a bonding between
persons is mentioned.
- News relating to LGBT+ movements or those in which sexual
orientation is mentioned are also included.
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
Sample:
4,184
news stories
202
sexuality-related
stories
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SELECTED EXAMPLE
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SELECTED EXAMPLE

This news story reports about the use of surrogacy by spanish gay couples.
Surrogacy: Carrying of a pregnancy for intended parents.
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Homosexuality
Surrogate-mother
India
Babies
Gay couple
Money
Legislation
Spain
Society
Paternity
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Axiological levels
Legal
Forbiden
Natural
Ilegal
Allowed
Anti-natural
Occident
Truth
Oppression
Orient
Lie
Victim
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Axiological levels
Legal
Forbiden
Natural
Ilegal
Allowed
Anti-natural
Occident
Truth
Oppression
Orient
Lie
Victim
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Homonormativity is the assimilation of heteronormative
ideals and constructs into LGBT+ culture and individual
identity, rather than critiquing monogamy, procreation, and
binary gender roles (heteronormative standards).
Homonormativity fragments LGBT+ communities into
hierarchies of worthiness.
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GRACIAS!!
Rafael Ventura
Departamento de Comunicación
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
[email protected]