Thesis ( M.A. (Media Studies)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / The visibility of gays and lesbians has predominantly improved in recent years, and the media have been a fundamental tool when measuring the homosexual communities’ social status. This study investigates whether current mainstream television accurately depicts and represents gays and lesbians, and whether gay and lesbian individuals are impacted by these television portrayals. Through in- depth interviews, focus groups and observations, the research findings reveal that gay and lesbian television depictions are not completely accurate and have varying effects on audiences. However, this evidence is significant to the entertainment industry when creating fair gay and lesbian character portrayals that could be positively receptive by the homosexual community.