Perceptions of LGBT Films: Mainstream Versus Independent Cinema in Popular and Public Opinion.

Abstract

Does the mainstream film industry hurt LGBT individuals by perpetuating LGBT stereotypes and being not as progressive as the independent film industry? Mainstream films garner a larger audience and are more profitable than their independent counterparts, but it is the independent films that gain most of the attention from critics and receive the majority of awards. However, independent films do not get the same level of attention, despite their generally positive and realistic presentations of LGBT characters.