reflect and perfect

How do the representations of sexualities reflect the historical, contemporary, social and cultural contexts?

In the set text 'the avengers' we are left to assume that Steed and Emma are both heterosexual. This is shown when steed sexually hits Peel on the bum during their sword fighting game. This reflects the historical context of the time because during the 1960's gay marriage and relations was not legal or accepted among the community and some men were sent to mental institutions where they endured torture as an attempt to 'cure' them, therefor we assume that because of the times and sexual tension between the two that they are heterosexual, the dominant representation at the time which wa valued amongst the audience as it is accepted and valued.

However in the set text 'cuffs' Jake immediately tells us he is gay when he is in the car with Ryan. Ryan simple and untroubled reaction reflects the positive social contexts of acceptance within the community in 2015. In 2013 just before cuffs was written same sex marriage was written same sex marriage was legalised, within the 2 years that same sex marriage was legalised and cuffs was made people had become more used to and accepting of the idea of gay marriage explaining Ryans calm unphased reaction.

Compare the white representation in The Avengers to the multi-cultralism of cuffs.

In the 1960's set text 'The avengers' there is a completely white cast even thoughthere was a presence of minorities at the time. This was because the British mainstream audience would not want to watch ethnic minorities on the screen especially if they are presenting a hero as the white culture viewed themselves as more superior, therefor 'The Avengers' has a completely white cast.

However in the 2010's set texts 'cuffs' there is multicultural cast. For example the Polish shoplifter and Jo who is from Asian descent. However the character Ryan who is from African descent is a police officer, this challenges the stereotype of a typical criminal and instead a hero who is keeping Brighton safe. The use of multicultural characters reflects the acceptance and sense of community in todays society.