The Need for Rainbow-Tinted Mirrors Perceptions of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth on Representation of Their Identities in Entertainment Media

The representation of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth in television series and movies has increased in recent years. Although the quantity of representation matters, its accuracy has been linked to higher levels of identification and well-being among late adolescents and young adults. Yet, most knowledge on representation and its effects is based on U.S. content and audiences. The current study examined the perceptions of importance, quantity, quality, and benefits of SGM portrayals in Dutch and non-Dutch entertainment media among Dutch SGM youth aged 16–30. Respondents find the representation of their sexual orientation most important yet perceived this identity aspect as least frequently and least accurately portrayed in Dutch media, also in comparison to non-Dutch media. Most respondents perceived being exposed to content featuring SGM protagonists to be beneficial. These findings highlight the need of young SGM for more accurate SGM protagonists and storylines, as well as inform Dutch media producers to address this need.