Invisible After 40: The Erasure of Queer Women in Mainstream Media

Imagine scrolling through your favourite TV shows or flipping through the pages of a popular magazine, and yet, despite the sea of faces and stories, you can't help but feel like a significant part of your identity is missing. This is the reality for many queer women over 40, who are consistently erased from mainstream media, relegated to the shadows, and rendered invisible. The lack of representation is not only frustrating but also damaging, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and reinforcing the notion that queer women are not worthy of attention or validation. In this thought-provoking article, we'll delve into the alarming phenomenon of the erasure of queer women in mainstream media, exploring the ways in which this invisibility affects their lives, self-esteem, and sense of belonging, and why it's high time for change.

The Erasure of Queer Women in Media: A Personal Reflection
As I reflect on my own experiences as a queer woman, I am reminded of the countless times I've felt invisible, erased, and marginalized in mainstream media. Growing up, I rarely saw myself represented on TV or in films, and when I did, it was often in a stereotypical or tokenized way. The lack of authentic and multidimensional queer female characters left me feeling like I didn't exist, like my identity was somehow less worthy of being seen and heard. I remember scrolling through my social media feeds, feeling like I was the only one who didn't fit into the narrow mold of heteronormativity. The erasure of queer women in media is not just a passing oversight, but a deliberate and systemic exclusion that has far-reaching consequences. It's a reminder that our stories, our voices, and our experiences are not valued or deemed worthy of being told. As I look around, I see a sea of straight, cisgender, and predominantly white faces, and I am left wondering: where do I fit in?