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In a recent poll conducted by The Hollywood Reporter, the results found that shows such as “Glee” and “Modern Family” are helping drive voters in favor of gay marriage -- and this includes even Mitt Romney supporters! The characters on these shows are making registered voters aware of the social impact of gay marriage, which is great news for the LGBT community!

 

While older, conservative voters may be less likely to change their views or even watch shows such as “Modern Family”, younger voters can’t seem to get enough of them. Voters under the age of 35 are heavily influenced by the gay characters they see on TV, and the more they see of them, the more likely they are to be sympathetic to LGBT causes. This trend is not exactly surprising; as young people tend lean more toward the progressive end of things and have helped lead social changes in the past (for example, the Civil and Women’s Rights Movements of the 1960s), but is still great news nonetheless. Younger voters also tend to have more of their views shaped thanks to social media, and by celebrities -- yes, Katy Perry is more likely to influence their vote than, say, a 65-year-old’s. And many celebrities do favor gay marriage.

 

Thanks to shows like “Glee” and “Modern Family”, viewers are more and more being exposed to LGBT characters and families. And while certain characters on both of these shows can be somewhat stereotypical, they are a step in the right direction. If viewers can see members of the LGBT community as actual people with families, problems, and worries that are not too different from their own, than they are more likely to be in favor of supporting their rights too.

 

 

- Sarah Osman, YH Staff