Rights and Radicalism: Framing Sexuality and Gender Identity in News Media

• In Event: Comparing Queer Politics

Abstract

The progress increased media visibility has brought has not benefited all LGBTI people equally. Research has shown that social movement actors’ success depends for a large extent on their ability to strategically frame their claims to match dominant frames. The consequence of such a strategy is that space for radical claims within the political debate about LGBTI rights becomes limited. This article investigates framing of sexuality and gender identity in media and politics in Germany and the Netherlands. I take a mixed-methods approach to explore what frames are used and how their use changed over time. I use topic modelling, a type of automated text analysis, of Dutch and German newspaper articles. I expect to find that strategic frame alignment leads to a trade-off between a human rights frame and more radical frames of gender fluidity and self-determination. I conclude that increased visibility should not simply be equated with progress and inclusivity.

Author

• Anne Louise Schotel, University of Amsterdam