The shifting terrains of framing sexuality: The difference in discourse around celebrity death,disease,and memory in news media

Abstract

Following Freddie Mercury’s death on November 24, 1991, media coverage often linked his passing to his sexuality and lifestyle. Outlets like The Star framed his homosexuality as dangerous, while others questioned his identity throughout his career. This paper employs textual and discourse analysis of progressive, conservative, and entertainment news media, including The Sun, The Daily Star, Evening Mail, The Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, BBC, The Guardian, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times, to explore how Mercury’s death was framed and how media tone has shifted alongside global LGBTQ+ rights discourse. The study finds that while cis-hetero celebrities with HIV/AIDS, like Magic Johnson, were portrayed positively, queer figures like Mercury were often depicted as vectors of disease and moral failure. This research highlights the need for journalistic ethics and responsible representation in reporting on public figures, particularly in the context of LGBTQ+ identities and health-related stigmas.