Reception of Queer Content and Stereotypes Among Young People in Monterrey, Mexico: RuPaul’s Drag Race

This research presents the way young Monterrey’s (Mexico) audiences perceive, accept or reject queer stereotypes within the reality show of RuPaul’s Drag Race by comparing and contrasting the opinions of three different segments of potential audiences: heterosexual men, heterosexual women, and homosexual men. Focusing on Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (2001) it is explained how homophobic attitudes in young people are being eased, leading the new generations to a more inclusive society. Also, Igartua’s and Muñiz’s Identification with Characters theory (2008) is used to explain how the audiences may crate gateways for empathy through the contestants. Overall, the main results show how heterosexuals have a better response to the show, while homosexual men show almost an instant rejection to it.