Bury your gays trope

Definition

The 'bury your gays' trope refers to a storytelling pattern where LGBTQ+ characters, often significant to the plot, are killed off or face tragic endings, leading to a negative portrayal of queer relationships. This trope highlights the tendency in popular culture to marginalize LGBTQ+ experiences, often reinforcing harmful stereotypes and limiting visibility for these characters. This phenomenon not only affects representation but also perpetuates the notion that LGBTQ+ lives are disposable or less valuable than those of heterosexual characters.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 'Bury your gays' has roots in various media forms, from literature and television to film, and has been criticized for its impact on LGBTQ+ visibility.
2. This trope is often contrasted with narratives that show LGBTQ+ characters having happy endings or fulfilling lives, highlighting the ongoing struggle for positive representation.
3. The trope can lead to audience disconnection and disillusionment among LGBTQ+ viewers who see their lives portrayed as tragic or expendable.
4. Many creators and advocates have called out the 'bury your gays' trope, pushing for more nuanced storytelling that allows LGBTQ+ characters to thrive and survive.
5. Recent trends show a growing awareness and pushback against this trope, with more media opting for inclusive narratives that celebrate queer identities rather than endanger them.

Review Questions

• How does the 'bury your gays' trope impact the perception of LGBTQ+ characters in popular culture?
  • The 'bury your gays' trope negatively impacts the perception of LGBTQ+ characters by reinforcing harmful stereotypes that suggest their lives are less valuable or meaningful compared to heterosexual characters. When significant LGBTQ+ characters are killed off, it sends a message that their stories are not worthy of happy endings, leading to a disconnect for queer audiences who seek relatable representations. This portrayal can diminish the audience's emotional connection to LGBTQ+ narratives and perpetuate a cycle of marginalization.
• In what ways can storytelling avoid the 'bury your gays' trope while still addressing serious themes?
  • 'Bury your gays' can be avoided by allowing LGBTQ+ characters to experience growth, joy, and resolution while navigating serious themes. Creators can focus on developing rich backstories that include both struggles and triumphs, ensuring these characters have agency in their narratives. Additionally, including diverse queer experiences can provide a wider range of outcomes and avoid reducing LGBTQ+ lives to tragic ends. Emphasizing resilience and survival over tragedy can foster a more inclusive and positive portrayal in popular media.
• Critically evaluate how the presence of the 'bury your gays' trope reflects societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals over time.
  • The 'bury your gays' trope reflects shifting societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals through its evolution in media narratives. Historically, the prevalence of this trope illustrated a societal discomfort with openly representing queer identities, often relegating them to tragic roles as a means of enforcing heteronormative values. As societal acceptance has grown, so has awareness around this trope, prompting both audiences and creators to demand better representation. The shift towards more positive depictions of LGBTQ+ lives signifies a broader cultural change towards inclusivity and acceptance, though remnants of the trope still linger in some forms of media.

Related terms

Queer Coding: A practice where characters are portrayed with traits or behaviors associated with LGBTQ+ identities without explicitly identifying as such, often leading to negative stereotypes.

Fridging: A trope where a character, usually a woman, is killed or harmed to provoke emotional responses in other characters, often related to the 'bury your gays' trope.

Representation: The depiction of diverse groups in media, including LGBTQ+ individuals, which can affect public perception and cultural understanding.