Reaction to a woman’s words to two girls taking photos on the street in Alicante
In Alicante this Tuesday, a discussion about cinema and gay characters took place at Las Cigarreras, organized by Alicante Understands as part of Pride 2023. The talk, titled The role of gay characters in the history of cinema, accompanied a screening of short films from the Alicante Film Festival. Observers noted a noticeable absence of lesbian cinema and a strong presence of lesbian and bisexual women in attendance. The event happened in the same week two young women reported a homophobic incident in the Santa Cruz neighborhood after posing as a couple for public photos. [Citation: Alicante Understands Pride 2023 proceedings]
The conversation unfolded amid a broader debate about how women who love women have been represented in film. Classic titles like Mulholland Drive, Carol, and other landmark works were cited as part of a long history of queer cinema where lesbian perspectives have left a lasting imprint. The discussion highlighted how certain films challenge viewers and offer varied ways to tell intimate stories about women in private life. It was noted that these choices shape the way audiences understand love, identity, and society through the art of cinema. [Citation: film history sources]
Lesbians existed before Netflix
The conversation also considered how lesbian cinema has served as a mirror for examining how women who love women were depicted in the past. A prominent reference was made to a scholarly work that analyzes the evolution of lesbian and bisexual representation in cinema from the eighties and nineties. The text discusses archetypes and myths that once limited the portrayal of lesbian characters. It argues that later analyses reveal more nuanced understandings of these women, and it notes a paradox between the visible presence of lesbian scenes in advertising and their relative invisibility on screen. [Citation: Francina Ribes Pericas study]
“Tár” a toxic cultural prototype and narrative opportunity
During the event, there was one moment when a participant spoke up about the long history of erasing the L in LGBTQIA plus identities. The critique reflected the ongoing challenge of addressing macho tendencies in cultural history even within communities that feel they belong to it. The author of this piece noted the discomfort of feeling out of place in a space meant to celebrate identity, and the discussion continued with the idea that calling out invisibility is a valid act of advocacy, not a sign of ignorance. Pride’s core purpose lies in making inclusive voices heard. [Citation: Pride discussions]
The participants agreed that lesbian cinema has important value beyond entertainment. It reveals diversity in the lives of women and offers a lens on experiences that extend beyond famous directors or iconic stars. The group also mentioned scenes from various films that celebrate joy and resilience, underscoring how cinema can reflect a wide spectrum of relationships and communities. [Citation: film analysis resources]
There was a shared feeling that the festival lineup should reflect a broader range of voices. The call was to name more women filmmakers and to ensure that lesbian portrayals receive thoughtful consideration alongside other storytelling choices. The conversation emphasized that representation matters not only for artistic merit but also for social visibility within the region. [Citation: festival programming notes]
A key takeaway was a critique of the lack of visibility and lingering gendered violence that affects lesbian and bisexual women. The discussion touched on over-sexualization and the way relationships between women are framed in popular media. The writers welcomed initiatives that bring attention to LGBTQIA plus stories while urging ongoing cultural work to elevate lesbian cinema as a legitimate and valuable part of film culture. [Citation: LGBTQIA media critique]
Overall, the event applauded efforts to foreground acronyms and diverse identities in city Pride celebrations and film festivals. The message was clear: lesbian cinema deserves recognition not only for its cinematic quality but also for its role in validating the experiences of girls, teens, and women of all ages. It remains a basic right for these voices to be part of local cultural programs and public celebrations. [Citation: Pride programming]