What role does the media play?

The media plays a significant role in perpetuating not just heteronormativity, but misogyny and male bonding rituals as well. The biggest media outlet for this promotion is television. According to “Where We Are on TV: 2012-2013 Season”, 95.6 percent of regular characters in primetime broadcasts are straight. While having straight characters is not an outright slight against gays and bisexuals, it does help to reinforce the ideas of heteronormativity. Since young people rarely see non-heterosexual characters on television, these gay or bisexual characters become the exception when they are present. Being the exception goes along with the heteronormative mindset that heterosexual relationships are the only “normal” type of relationship. Little instances like this where heteronormativity is quietly promoted can be found everywhere on television. Specifically, the heteronormative idea that men need to be, and are superior to, women can be found on many television shows and movies.