Is the Media?

Question

Propogating negative gay and lesbian sterotypes?....

Answer 1

Of course it is.

For every positive portrayal there must be three fold in negatives. In the news we are fodder for political sensationalism (gay marriage amendment), in sweeps there is always some scandalous portrayal of of gays in lurid detail, every summer during Pride events the only images you see of the thousands are just of the most outrageous in the crowds.

In entertainment we are the butt of jokes, and stereotypes are reinforced. To much of the world we are the punch line to a lame Leno or Letterman joke. A generation grew up with gay characters on Will and Grace who were weak ineffectual men of no real consequence lacking any real humanity, disposable humans.

If something positive happens for us in the main stream media, the religous right attacks it, its corporate sponsors and advertisers and assail the community at large with accussations that we are responsible for everything bad in America (yep including 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina).

All this negativity directed to us is not harmeless sound and light. These negative images and portraits of us as being something less than human reach into the minds of the less balanced members of society. Not too few times has some lunatic been set loose on the gay community in acts of violence, attacking us in the streets,and in our homes. The talking heads on tv tsk tsk the tragedy on the nightly news as if there was no blood on their hands.

Look at the ignorance of some who ask questions on this forum. Its as if we were from another planet, and not from their own land. This is in part due to a mass media that takes its marching orders from religous zealots and politicians beholden to them.

Yeah the miedia is propogating negative stereotypes....and the band played on.

Answer 2

Media, by definition is propogandic in its nature. Like it or not, all media has built within it a bias. Some media propagates a positive image of homosexuals while others do not. The key is to understand that a positive bias can serve only to enhance human understanding whereas negative bias only does harm. A positive outlook and understanding can only benefit all people be it a positive look to orientation, colour, gender, even culture. Only when negative bias is presented does harm become a real consequence.

Stereotypes, sadly are not entirely without validation, to deny this would be to deny the obvious truth behind them. Again, whether we like it or not, stereotypes do have their origins in the imperical observance of cultural or ethic indiosincrasies which cannot be completlely denied. The difference is in understanding that just because a stereotype may occasionally fit, does not make it right, correct or positive. When media uses stereotypes strictly as a representation of truth, it does itself and all of us a diservice. Understanding that the stereotype may be partially accurate is only the beginning of understanding, you have to look beyond the obvious.

Media such as Fox News (I am loathe to use the word News), is a prime example of media bias and stereotyping at it's worse. Not only against minorities, which are the usual targets, but also against their own audience since many people would and do view Fox as being the Uber Stereotype of White Conservative American Trash. Neither side comes out looking to good.

In the end, it is we the viewer and consumer of this information, or rather, misinformation, to disseminate and form our own opinions and more importantly to research for ouselves the truth about any group or person. Ultimately, we hold the power to understand or we can simply abdecate the power to the media and let them simply feed their pablum form of truth. I choose to think for myself.

Media is merely the messenger, it is up to us to decide if we believe him/her.

Respects.

Answer 3

It depends on what you consider negative. In gay pride celebrations, there are often pictures of scantily clad men and flamboyant drag queens. Lesbians are grossly under-exposed in gay pride events.

People who show up on the television lately have been those who have been skirting the edge of deceit: Ted Haggard and Mark Foley, in particular. However, Lance Bass and Neil Patrick Harris have recently come out, and other gay celebrities have generally comported themselves well. I'm enormously proud of Melissa Etheridge, Lily Tomlin, Michael Feinstein, Harvey Fierstein, Nathan Lane, and Ellen DeGeneres.

Answer 4

Yup. I have rarely heard a good news piece on gays

Answer 5

no, it is propagating positive stereotype and encourages kinds to try it before forming an opinion.