This ontology models the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in teenage dramas, focusing on the tension between commercial interests and authentic representation. It adapts the Perspectivisation Ontology to include a Profit-Driven Lens and a Social Impact Lens, enabling analysis of narrative roles, tropes, stereotypes, and audience reception. The goal is to understand how media shapes perceptions of queerness and the cultural significance of representation.
Indicates how a particular attitude influences the way LGBTQ+ characters are represented. It allows tracing specific outcomes (e.g., queerbaiting or challenging stereotypes) back to their ideological stance.
Links a type of representation to the kind of role model it produces. Fair representations are associated with positive role models, while unfair ones are linked to negative role models.
Specifies that the final portrayal (Cut) arises from the original representational phenomenon. It connects the output of the perspectivisation process to the core event under analysis.
Links a lens to the evaluative stance it adopts. This captures the nuance within each perspective — such as whether a commercial lens promotes tokenism or market-friendliness, or whether a social lens fosters empowerment or authenticity.
Indicates the level of narrative and psychological development a character has. It helps distinguish between flat and multidimensional portrayals.
Assigns a gender identity to either a real person (creator or performer) or a fictional character. This enables analysis of gender representation both on and off-screen.
Links the portrayal to its social and cultural impact on the LGBTQ+ community and public perception, as well as shows how external production and industry pressures shape how the character is portrayed.
Indicates the character’s narrative role — whether they evolve dynamically or remain static in the storyline. Associates a type of representation (fair/unfair) with its narrative role — e.g., a stereotypical character often having a static role.
Describes how a specific character is portrayed in the show, forming the analytic core of the ontology.
Describes the sexual orientation of creators, performers, or characters. It supports the study of authentic casting and queer identity portrayal in media.
Identifies the stereotype(s), if any, embedded in a character’s portrayal. If a representation is classified as unfair, this property allows specification of the particular stereotype present.
Connects a portrayal of an LGBTQ+ character to its broader social impact. It reflects how the portrayal influences the LGBTQ+ community and public perception.
Highlights how broader cultural or industrial contexts influence the form a portrayal ultimately takes. This property situates the final narrative outcome within the real-world forces that shaped it.
Denotes how cultural, historical, industrial, or academic background conditions shape or support the emergence of a specific attitude. It embeds the attitude in its real-world context.
Relates the final form of representation to the evaluative attitude that directed it. It helps explain how the stance taken — such as queerbaiting or empowerment — manifests in the narrative result.
Captures the influence of the chosen lens on the final portrayal. This property reveals how interpretative frameworks (profit-driven or socially conscious) mold the representation into specific character types or outcomes.
Connects the portrayal of an LGBTQ+ character to the interpretative lens applied to it. This property expresses the perspectival framing through which the representation is analyzed — whether driven by commercial goals or social responsibility.
Maps a character to the actor or actress who portrays them on screen, useful for analyzing casting choices.
Links a TV show to its LGBTQ+ character(s), establishing which characters are featured in which series.
Specifies the country where the TV show was originally produced or broadcast. This helps contextualize cultural norms and production standards influencing LGBTQ+ portrayals.
Associates the show with its creator (writer, showrunner, etc.), important for tracking authorial intent and representation sources.
Specifies the genre category of the show (e.g., drama, comedy, sci-fi). Genre plays a role in shaping tone, stereotypes, and the depth of representation.
Describes the occupation of the person, whether they are a creator or performer, for integration with broader vocabularies like Schema.org.
Connects the show to the production company responsible for its creation, relevant to understanding commercial context.
Captures the official name of the TV show. This property provides the basic identifying label for any media entity in the ontology.
A boolean flag indicating whether a gender identity is transgender. This allows for the distinction of transgender representation within the broader gender category.
Records the original release date of the TV show. This is useful for analyzing trends in LGBTQ+ representation over time.
Signifies a resolution in which the character’s queer identity is accepted, celebrated, or integrated into the storyline in a meaningful way.
The influence of public calls for more inclusive and authentic portrayals, especially from LGBTQ+ youth.
Captures the degree to which a character’s portrayal aligns with real-life LGBTQ+ experiences and identities. This class distinguishes between authentic characterization — informed, realistic, and emotionally complex — and stereotypical portrayals that rely on clichéd or exaggerated traits for entertainment or simplicity.
National or regional laws that suppress or regulate LGBTQ+ content.
Seeks to subvert harmful tropes and propose alternative ways of portraying LGBTQ+ identities.
Denotes the LGBTQ+ character being analyzed within the show. Each instance is linked to attributes such as narrative role, authenticity, and stereotype patterns, enabling nuanced comparison across different portrayals.
Assesses how psychologically and narratively developed a character is. This includes dimensions such as backstory, emotional complexity, and agency in the plot.
Highlights whether the character undergoes significant development, self-discovery, or change in values or relationships — particularly in relation to their identity.
It is the resulting narrative role or figure. It synthesizes the effect of all previous layers into a recognizable portrayal archetype. Each character can be linked to stereotypes, narrative functions such as leading or supporting roles, story arcs showing positive or negative development, and queerbaiting patterns.
Refers to individuals responsible for conceptual and narrative decisions, such as showrunners, screenwriters, or producers. Their intent is critical for interpreting whether a portrayal aligns with commercial or socially impactful goals.
Labels characters whose narrative arc shows growth, change, or evolving relationships, particularly those tied to identity or conflict resolution.
Highlights characters who are confident, visible, and central to the story — challenging marginalization and invisibility.
Refers to portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters that are meaningful, relatable, and accurate, offering nuanced character development and authentic storylines. These representations affirm identity, avoid stereotypes, and contribute positively to visibility and understanding within both queer and broader audiences.
Economic considerations that may discourage complex or controversial queer narratives.
Represents a trope where the LGBTQ+ character exists to support the protagonist, often lacking narrative depth or personal goals. It reflects tokenism disguised as inclusivity.
Represents the gender identity of a person (creator or performer). Tracking gender helps explore who gets to tell queer stories and how gender dynamics shape representation.
Denotes the genre of the TV show (e.g., drama, comedy, fantasy), which can affect the tone, tropes, and thematic treatment of LGBTQ+ characters.
Past patterns of representation (e.g., tragic tropes, invisibility) that shape both audience expectation and creator intention.
Assesses how the portrayal influences public perceptions and members of the LGBTQ+ community. It includes both positive models (empowering, relatable) and negative ones (harmful, stereotypical), contributing to the Social Impact Lens.
A neutral-to-positive framing aimed at pleasing wide audiences without controversy. Often includes vague or sanitized depictions.
Describes whether the character evolves dynamically within the narrative or remains static. It supports analyzing the depth of character development, especially in contrast to trope-based or tokenistic inclusion.
Indicates that an LGBTQ+ relationship is treated as natural and unproblematic within the narrative. This contributes to positive cultural messaging and reduces stigma.
Representing actors or actresses who portray LGBTQ+ characters. The casting choices (e.g., queer actors playing queer roles) may influence authenticity and audience perception.
Captures how the character’s narrative arc is resolved — for example, whether it affirms identity or reinforces tragic tropes. This class is key to analyzing emotional closure and message delivery to viewers.
The central analytic class describing how a specific LGBTQ+ character is portrayed within a TV show. It aggregates information about representation type, narrative role, stereotypes, and character arc resolution, functioning as the main node connecting all perspectives.
Captures the contextual elements around the show's production — including budget, platform, and target demographics. These factories help explain the pressures and constraints that shape LGBTQ+ portrayals through a profit-driven logic.
A perspective that emphasizes marketability, audience reach, and economic interests. It tends to favor representations that are safe, simplified, or stereotypical if they enhance profitability.
Academic and activist thought informing more nuanced and deconstructed views of identity and representation.
Describes intentional suggestions of queerness without commitment — used to attract queer audiences while avoiding alienating others.
This class categorizes the quality and mode of representation of LGBTQ+ characters. Based on media tests and narrative theory, it includes values such as fair/unfair representation, authenticity, and role dynamism.
Indicates the weight and importance of the LGBTQ+ character within the show’s narrative structure (e.g., main vs. side vs. token). It provides insight into the structural inclusion of queer identities.
A socially conscious perspective aiming for accurate, affirming, and inclusive portrayals. It focuses on the effect of representation on public understanding and LGBTQ+ self-perception.
Marks characters who remain unchanged throughout the story, often used to explore token roles or those lacking emotional depth.
Identifies repeated patterns or tropes in LGBTQ+ representation — such as the “Gay Best Friend” or “Tragic Trope.” This class enables semantic tagging of recurring harmful or reductive portrayals across different shows.
Guidelines set by streaming platforms that affect what kinds of representation are permissible or encouraged.
Represents the inclusion of queer characters in superficial ways — to appear diverse without offering narrative depth.
Flags portrayals where the LGBTQ+ character is subjected to suffering, death, or punishment as a narrative resolution. Often signals moral or emotional manipulation tied to outdated or sensationalized views of queerness.
Represents the teenage drama where LGBTQ+ portrayals occur, acting as the narrative container for all characters and their arcs. This class connects commercial production choices and audience reception to the broader cultural impact of the show’s representational practices.
Describes portrayals marked by tokenism, reductive stereotypes, or complete invisibility. These representations often serve superficial diversity goals, lack character depth, and may reinforce harmful assumptions about LGBTQ+ identities.
An abstract superclass capturing any individual involved in the show’s creation or performance. This abstraction allows for distinguishing between those who shape the portrayal (creators) and those who embody it on screen (performers).
Specifies the country where the TV show was produced or originally aired. This is relevant for understanding cultural and regulatory contexts that influence LGBTQ+ representation.
Overcomes struggles and finds self-acceptance.
Overcomes fears and takes control of her life.
Finds balance between love and identity.
Provides mentorship and breaks barriers.
Gains family acceptance and self-confidence.
Highlights importance of addressing repression.
Tackles internal struggles and empowerment.
Helped normalize LGBTQ+ relationships in mainstream media.
Positively portrays bisexuality, showcasing complexity.
Tackles issues of societal bias and personal redemption.
Celebrates LGBTQ+ lives through humor and acceptance.
Challenges heteronormative narratives and broadens representation.
Normalizes LGBTQ+ relationships, empowering LGBTQ+ women.
Broadens intersectional representation, showing complexity.
Positive role model for transgender youth, promoting understanding.
Promotes bisexual visibility and challenges workplace discrimination.
Breaks stereotypes by showing LGBTQ+ love in a positive light.
Reinforces cliches, adding little to LGBTQ+ visibility.
Sparked backlash for perpetuating harmful LGBTQ+ tropes.
Highlights LGBTQ+ challenges in global contexts.
Celebrates LGBTQ+ identity with fantasy elements.
Lacks meaningful engagement with LGBTQ+ themes.
One of the first trans characters portrayed positively in mainstream sci-fi.
Highlights intersectionality, addressing sexuality in cultural contexts.
Breaks stereotypes with a positive LGBTQ+ relationship on screen.
Subverts stereotypes and challenges workplace biases.
Normalized LGBTQ+ relationships in mainstream teen TV.
Reinforces outdated stereotypes without subverting them.
Provides positive representation of a gay teenager navigating love.
Illuminates systemic challenges for trans individuals, fostering empathy.
Increases visibility for non-binary individuals and promotes acceptance.
Controversial portrayal, perpetuating harmful LGBTQ+ tropes.
Missed opportunity to delve into meaningful trans representation.
Highlights intersectionality and the nuances of coming out in traditional families.
Subtle exploration of internalized homophobia and self-acceptance.
Queer character with a complex relationship to the protagonist, portraying both vulnerability and strength.
Central gay character with a detailed portrayal of relationships and identity struggles.
Explores the struggles and triumphs of a bisexual teenager navigating her identity and relationships.
Gay character with complex relationships and moral struggles.
Pansexual character portrayed with humor and depth, showing evolving relationships.
Lesbian Black woman exploring love, career, and friendships, portrayed with emotional complexity and humor.
Lesbian character with nuanced relationships and complex storylines.
Gay, Black character portrayed with depth, navigating relationships and family dynamics.
Multi-dimensional transgender character portrayed authentically with emotional depth.
Bisexual character with an empowering storyline and meaningful exploration of her sexual identity.
Bisexual character with an empowering love story and a rare happy ending.
Portrayed in the "gay best friend" trope with minimal character development.
Lesbian character killed off shortly after a meaningful relationship, reinforcing the "bury your gays" trope.
Gay character portrayed with depth, exploring his career struggles, relationship, and coming out.
Bisexual character portrayed with emotional depth and a rich backstory, exploring love and conflict.
Queer character whose storyline remains ambiguous and underdeveloped, falling into tokenism.
Transgender hacker portrayed with depth, exploring her relationships and challenges.
Gay Muslim character navigating societal and cultural pressures while pursuing a meaningful relationship.
Gay character portrayed in a healthy, supportive, and normalized relationship.
Gay Black police captain portrayed with dignity, humor, and depth.
Lesbian character who evolves from repression and denial to pride and self-acceptance.
Gay best friend trope with little character depth or growth.
Openly gay character with emotional complexity, navigating love, class struggles, and societal expectations.
Transgender character navigating systemic discrimination in prison.
Non-binary character portrayed authentically with respect and humor in a multi-generational family dynamic.
Lesbian character killed suddenly, reinforcing the "bury your gays" trope.
Trans character whose storyline is largely underexplored and lacks emotional depth.
Gay Latinx teenager navigating coming out and family acceptance in a conservative environment.
Represents portrayals characterized by depth, nuance, and cultural accuracy in the depiction of LGBTQ+ identities. Instances of this class exhibit alignment with lived experiences and resist reductive or stereotypical frameworks.
Refers to portrayals where LGBTQ+ characters are positioned as secondary figures, often providing comic relief or functioning as accessories to the main (typically heterosexual) protagonist. This class captures a recurrent trope that can both enable visibility and reinforce marginalization.
Represents character portrayals that are richly developed in terms of personality, motivations, emotional complexity, and narrative significance. These characters often undergo development arcs, interact with multiple plotlines, and are situated within believable social and psychological contexts.
Describes portrayals that reinforce harmful stereotypes, lack complexity, or depict queerness as deviant, tragic, or marginal. These representations may contribute to internalized stigma or societal misunderstanding, undermining the potential for positive cultural impact.
Represents LGBTQ+ characters whose portrayal is empowering, multifaceted, and affirming of queer identity. These characters serve as relatable figures for LGBTQ+ audiences, promoting self-acceptance and challenging social biases through their visibility and narrative agency.
Defines characters who occupy central narrative roles and whose LGBTQ+ identity is integral to the storyline. These roles often influence the plot’s direction, embody agency, and challenge heteronormative tropes.
Describes the sexual orientation of the creator or performer, where disclosed or relevant. This class allows analysis of whether LGBTQ+ roles are portrayed or written by members of the community.
Refers to portrayals that lack narrative complexity or emotional depth. These characters may be flat, underdeveloped, or stereotypical, with limited screen time or relevance to the plot. Their identity is often reduced to a single trait or function (e.g., comic relief, sidekick).
Captures a representation pattern where LGBTQ+ characters are included primarily for the sake of surface-level diversity, without substantial narrative depth or character development. These portrayals are typically isolated and do not affect the plot meaningfully.