Comparative Views of the Selected

Heterosexuals and Homosexuals as Basis

for Standards in Proper Representation
of LGBTQ+ in Media

A title should summarize the main idea of the proposal simply, and if possible, with style. It
should be a concise statement of the main topic and should identify the variables or theoretical
issues under investigation and the relationship between them.
A title should be fully explanatory when standing alone. The title should be typed in uppercase
and lowercase letters, centered between the left and right margins, positioned in the upper half of
the page.

A Research Proposal Presented to

Ms. Mary Jane M. Salavia
Centro Escolar Integrated School
Senior High School Department

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Practical Research 1: Qualitative Research
 Submitted by
Nicole Hannah L. Canlas
Christian C. Chua
Amanda J. De Leon
Ezekiel A. Joseph
Julia Katrina F. Mani
Edrick John O. Portales

11 HUMSS 1

February 2020
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CENTRO ESCOLAR INTEGRATED SCHOOL

Mendiola, Manila

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL SHEET

This research hereto entitled:

RESEARCH TITLE

prepared and submitted by

NAME OF MEMBERS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

(Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the subject Practical Research 1 and is recommended for
acceptance and approval for ORAL EXAMINATION.

MS. MARY JANE M. SALAVIA

Adviser

MR. BENJIE DANO

Academic Head

MR. ROLAND ORDANEZ

Assistant Principal
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ABSTRACT

It must be the comprehensive summary of the paper. It describes the problem,

participants and methodology and implications of the study. This must be overview of the

whole paper, including but not limited to brief statements about the research problem,

questions, designs and sample respondents and techniques.

This must be composed of 250 words or lesser. It must be written in past tense.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

It reflects the researchers’ appreciation for the assistance and encouragement extended

to a person.

(This should be in bullet form)

Begin with this…

This research won’t be possible without the help, guidance and inspiration from the

following people, so without further ado, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to:
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CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY

This is to certify that this research paper is my/our work and does not contain any

material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a

substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any in Centro Escolar

University Manila, and other educational institutions, except where due

acknowledgment is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by

others, with whom I/we have worked at Centro Escolar University Manila or

elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the study.

RESEARCHERS’ NAMES

Researchers

Date

Attested by:

MS. MARY JANE M. SALAVIA

Adviser

Date
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Background of the Study

Media is the fourth estate of our society. This term remains true to this day as media

has expanded its influence with the help of technology. In a survey conducted by Kantar

Media, 96.6% of Filipinos watch television daily (2016). This translates to Filipinos

watching 3.7 hours daily watching their favorite TV series/shows.

It cannot be denied that LGBT+ characters are given more visibility on the television

in recent years. In 2016, “Beauty and the Bestie” was the top-grossing film in the Metro

Manila Film Festival. Vice Ganda, one of the prominent LGBT+ personalities in the

Philippines starred this film that earned a half billion pesos. On television, “My Husband’s

Lover” aired in 2013 attracted viewers even though it was about same-sex relationships.

Even though Filipinos enjoy TV series and films that feature the LGBTQ+

community, it appears that 30% of LGBT+ still experiences workplace discrimination in the

Philippines (UNDP-ILO, 2018). According to GLAAD, the largest LGBT+ oriented

organization, LGBTQ+ characters in television is limited in portraying stereotypes (2015).

For example, the TV show “My Husband’s Lover” showcased a same-sex relationship, but it

was portrayed negatively because that relationship is a result of infidelity.

Media has a great influence on shaping a person’s perception about his/her sexual

orientation (Gamillion & Giuliano, 2011). Having prominent LGBTQ+ personalities like

Ellen DeGeneres helps the LGBTQ+ accept their identity. Media is also important in shaping

the perception and behavior of heterosexuals towards the LGBTQ+ community.

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In conservative countries such as the Philippines, talking about LGBTQ+ rights and

representation is still a taboo. Many still view their identity such as outlandish, or worse, a

sin. The researchers of this study believe that the media has a huge influence on people’s

feelings and perceptions about the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, the researchers aim to

develop standards for accurate representation of LGBTQ+ media at the end of this study.
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Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to create criteria for proper LGBTQ+ representation. The

researchers also aim to compare the perspectives of heterosexuals and homosexuals,

including bisexuals about the depiction of LGBTQ+ in the media.

Moreover, this study also aims to answer the following questions:

General Question:

1. What are the views of selected heterosexuals and homosexuals about the standard

representation of LGBTQ+ in the media?

Specific Questions:

1. How does the depiction of LGBTQ+ in the media affects the feelings and perceptions of

people who identify themselves as homosexual (including bisexual) and heterosexual?

2. How do the media influences the behavior and attitudes of the audience towards the

LGBTQ+ community?

3. How can media help break the negative stereotypes and portray the LGBTQ+ community

accurately?
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Assumption

This research is anchored with the assumption that media had become more

progressive and inclusive to the LGBTQ+ in recent years. It can imply that there will be

deviating opinions of respondents across age groups regarding media LGBTQ+

representation. This study is supported by the assumption that the media wields huge

influence in shaping the public’s perception. To get substantiative results, researchers assume

that respondents will give their honest and objective feedback coming from their own

experiences working inside the media industry and as an audience. The researchers also

expect that respondents from the media industry have a deeper knowledge about how

television production processes work. Therefore, the standards for proper LGBTQ+

representation in the media will be fair, considering all factors in production and perspectives

from the audience.

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Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be of great benefit to the following sectors:

Parents. The information provided by our study may hopefully change the perception of

parents about the LGBTQ+ community. When they consume media that accurately depicts

the LGBTQ+ community, they will be educated on how to be more open and accept their

children for who they are.

Members of LGBTQ+ community. This research will benefit them the most for correct

representation in media would open the minds of the people to accept and respect them as

part of the society. When films and televisions would portray them accurately, it will increase

the self-esteem of our brothers and sisters who belong in the LGBTQ+ community.

Educational Institutions. The study will help creating a safe environment in schools for their

LGBTQ+ students. Through the proper LGBTQ+ representation standards that the study will

develop, schools may be guided what to maintain and improve in their gender studies

curriculum.

Media and Film Production Companies- Data given will provide the entertainment

industry, with the information on how does their portrayal of LGBTQ+ affects their audience.

The study aims to awaken the media on how big their influence is to the public, especially in

portraying marginalized groups like the LGBTQ+ community. Through the product of this

research, a criteria for proper LGBTQ+ representation, this will help directors/ writers

produce content that’s more inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community.

Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). Results of this study

would help the agency add a mandate to agency to review mainstream media’s handling of
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sensitive topic such as LGBTQ+ community. Using this study, they may formulate policies

about depiction of LGBTQ+ in all forms of media.

Future Researchers. The results of the study will help the future researchers in developing a

more inclusive criteria for LGBTQ+ representation. The output of this research that focuses

on television can be used by the future researchers as a model for other forms of media such

as print, digital and film.

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Scope and Delimitation

This study concentrates on the effects of LGBTQ+ themed shows to the audiences

and media practitioners across all sexual orientation. This research will delve into how the

increasing LGBTQ+ visibility in the television affected the attitudes of people towards the

said community. . Researchers chose to focus on television, as it is the most accessible and

most extensive platform of media Filipinos use (Kantar Media, 2016). Filipino afternoon and

primetime soap operas or teleseryes will be analyzed and be used as the center of discussion.

In order to give depth and objectivity in creating standards for LGBTQ+ representation,

respondents must have worked as a director, script writer or member of a production team of

a teleserye. The study needs ten participants that will be further divided into two that will

require 5 participants from both ends of the sexual orientation spectrum

(homosexual/bisexual and heterosexual). Researchers will get its respondents through

snowball sampling, where we will use the first respondents to lead the researchers to other

qualified respondents. Through conducting interviews, the researchers will compare the

personal thoughts of people who identify themselves as heterosexual to the homosexuals and

bisexuals.

This inquiry, however, falls short of addressing people who identifies themselves as

asexuals. Due to their limited population, researchers deemed that it will be hard to gather

respondents with such characteristics. The research will not cover LGBTQ+ representation in

other forms of media like radio and film as to how it works is very distinct from the

television industry. To take on account the cultural and societal norms in the Philippines,

dramas dubbed or adapted from other countries should be disregarded from the discussion.
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Theoretical Framework

The researchers reviewed different communications and sociological theories but

focused on George Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory to establish context for the study.

The Cultivation Theory proposes that that people who regularly watch television and

movies easily accept the messages and symbols created by media. Its foundation was the

Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura. Gerbner theorizes that television images create

concepts and ideas regarding gender and race. TV dramas can depict stereotyped images of a

particular group and as it gets repeated, the audience absorbs what media portrays. The

aforementioned theory can be applied to people who always watch violent action films that

are more likely to believe that the world is a dangerous and violent place than those who

don’t.

The Cultivation theory proposes that a heavy television watcher follows and accepts

blindly the images perpetuated by media. The first order effects are the general beliefs about

our world, meanwhile the second order effects are the specfic attitudes towards those beliefs.

Showing LGBT characters as the comedic, broken hearted and predatory have heavily

affected the first order beliefs of the people regarding the LGBTQ+ community. Gender

images must be portrayed accurately especially for teenagers who are just starting to mature

and identify how they’ll express themselves to the world. Gerbner’s theory emphasizes the

great responsibility media industry carries, as it can skew how people perceives reality.
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Conceptual Paradigm

Input Process Output

I. Respondents of the Study -The -Comparative
The study will need 5 heterosexual researchers analaysis of the
respondents and 5 homosexual will gather data collected
respondents. They must also work in the the -Results and
media industry. demographic interpretation
II. Statement of the Problem data through -Final Title:
1. The depiction of LGBTQ+ in the media a pre-survey. Comparative
affects the feelings and perceptions of -The primary Views of the
people who identify themselves as data will be Selected
homosexual (including bisexual) and gathered Heterosexuals and
heterosexual. through Homosexuals as
2. The media influences the behavior and conducting Basis for
attitudes of the audience towards the interviews Standards in
LGBTQ+ community. -Transcribing Proper
3. Media can help in breaking the negative the Representation of
stereotypes and portray the LGBTQ+ interviews LGBTQ+ in Media
community accurately.

Feedback
In conducting this study, the researchers formulated three specific questions that

will be answered through the course of the research. These questions will serve as the

guide to ensure that the final output would cover everything this research needs. The study

needs 10 respondents from the TV production companies, 5 of whom are heterosexual and

the other half will be homosexuals. To determine their sexual orientation, they will be

asked to do a pre-survey. Interviews will be conducted as the participants confirmed their

schedule and after it, transcription of the interviews will be done. The researchers will

compare their answers and interpret it. The output of this process is the research entitled,

“Comparative Views of the Selected Heterosexuals and Homosexuals as Basis for

Standards in Proper Representation of LGBTQ+ in Media”.

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