Gay characters in telenovelas
Telenovelas are famous for their love stories, drama, and characters. These TV series tend to revolve around heterosexual couples, however as of late, gay male characters have been more incorporated into telenovelas plot lines. With changing times, queer and gay characters have become more reoccurring in telenovelas.
One of the first appearances of a gay character in a telenovela was in 1999, in the series La Vida en El Espejo, in which the character develops a queer relationship. In 2013, the Mexican telenovela Amores verdaderos featured the first gay wedding in telenovela history. In 2019, the Mexican telenovela El corazón nunca se equivoca became the first to center a gay love story.
History
Early depiction (1990)
There is very little representation of gay male characters in the 1990s. However, there were what many fans call gay “coded” characters. One of the first representations of gay “coded” characters, was in the telenovela “Volver a empezar” in 1994. Many of the fans felt that the character Paul, played by Radamés de Jesús, was one of the first of many gay “coded” characters in the 1990s. The most notable telenovela from this time period is “La Vida en El Espejo.”Start of the century (2000)
In the 2000s, telenovelas had more gay characters that represented stereotypes of gay men within media. Additionally, this time period also created a change in representation in telenovelas. In 2007, the telenovela "Yo Amo a Juan Queredón" designed a gay character who stepped out of the stereotypes. In the telenovela, Gaytán is a wealthy, masculine, man who is open about his homosexuality.Modern day (2010–present)
Modernization has changed the way media represents the world. Telenovelas have shifted from the 2000s to modern times. New additions of queer characters have become more apparent in order to appeal to more younger audiences. "La Casa de las Flores", has become one of the telenovelas to added their own telenovela spin. With characters Julian and Diego. The couple have a secret relationship for five years which is later in the series is revealed when Julian comes out as bisexual.Character design
Depictions of gay men within telenovelas has always centered on certain stereotypes or tropes. Often they are depicted as effeminate men or girly men and the hairdresser. All of these tropes represent a caricature within telenovelas. Many of these characters are also “sidekick” and or play the villain to the protagonist. Being either the empathic best friend or mean villainous character. Telenovelas from earlier times use these tropes in order to create their gay characters.In recent times, with the rise of millennial telenovelas there is also more push and representation of queer characters within telenovelas that don't revolve around the typical tropes. Telenovelas have begun creating and developing better designs for their gay characters. Beginning with the 2007 telenovela “Yo Amo a Juan Queredón” where the gay character within the series is created more deeply and complex. A telenovela that portrays these recent ideals, “Mi Marido Tiene Más Familia”. Two of the characters in the series develop a slow burn relationship.