Invisible at the Intersection: Media Representation of Homeless Gay Veterans in CNN and Fox News

Abstract

Homelessness among gay veterans represents a significant yet underrepresented social issue at the intersection of sexual orientation, military identity, and housing insecurity. Although the United States has made substantial progress in reducing veteran homelessness and expanding benefits for service members previously affected by the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, gay veterans may continue to experience distinct forms of marginalization and housing instability. Drawing on Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, this study examines how the intersecting identities of homosexuality and veteran status affect media representation of homeless gay veterans in the United States. Using a qualitative content analysis, the study analyzes ten news reports published after 2020 by CNN and Fox News, with five articles selected from each outlet. The findings reveal a significant lack of explicit representation of homeless gay veterans. While CNN primarily frames veteran homelessness through housing policy, government responsibility, and the experiences of homeless veterans, Fox News places greater emphasis on military service, patriotism, honor, and institutional perspectives, with occasional references to gay veterans. However, neither outlet directly and consistently addresses homelessness as an issue specifically affecting gay veterans. The findings suggest that intersectional communities may be absorbed into broader dominant identity categories, such as “veterans” or “LGBTQ+ individuals,” rather than being represented through the combined experiences created by multiple identities. Furthermore, the different ideological orientations and editorial priorities of the two media outlets may contribute to this marginalization by emphasizing separate aspects of identity while overlooking their intersection. This study contributes to research on intersectionality and media representation by demonstrating how the absence of explicit representation can itself function as a form of marginalization. Future research should examine a larger sample of media outlets and news reports to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how intersectional identities are represented in discussions of homelessness and veteran welfare.