I believe that there is a clear kind of timeline on how queer people are portrayed in cinema throughout the years. Like The Celluloid Closet hinted at there are clear definitions of what gay people are considered in movies in certain times. First was the "sissy" which was somewhat used as a comedic relief in the movie itself. But this later progressed into the queer character becoming a bully towards straight main characters and basically hitting on them. Then it also progressed as the gay character being the one that is victimized and bullied themselves, usually for being gay. Today, I believe you can see all of these elements in queer characters in all of cinema but I also believe we have a new element where the queer character can just be a normal person and not there to be funny, or be a bully, or picked on. I agree with Fierstein and think that visibility at any cost is a good theory. Even if it is negative, at least the queer community is getting shown and people can become somewhat educated that people who are queer exist. When it comes to the stereotypes and representations of queers in mainstream media, I think overall we as a society have become more knowledgeable and more accepting and that queers are people and not something to be used in media as a stereotype. Obviously it still happens but I think things are changing. Not to be obvious but films such as "Brokeback Mountain" break down the barrier that is the stereotypical queer character.
The Celluloid Closet
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Not only does the plot of the story "Brokeback Mountain" break down barriers of the stereotypical queer character but the actors themselves are making a statement. The fact that two very prominent men in the media were willing to play these roles is a big statement. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal both did this and afterwards weren't given much speculation as to actually being gay - whereas they would in the past. For example the Celluloid Closet had cast members who said that if you were playing a gay role you were often thought as or at least questioned as being gay. It's great to know that times have changed a bit and people playing these roles aren't being attacked by the media. Instead, they're still playing lead roles in other movies!