Do you think that shows like QE or Will & Grace are demeaning to LGBTs?

Question

I mean I think a lot of the "token treatment" that some of us get from other ppl are heavily influenced by shows such as these, but do you think we benefit from these mocking products of the media at all? What are some of the downsides of shows like these?

Answer 1

since the on massive increase of gay character in the media....the confidence among the gay youths in their identity and gay teenage suicides are way down

Straights do not live or understand the FULL gay world as you do and these shows give them an acceptable entry into gay culture and lifestyles versus the old stereotypes and rumors....so much better for the gay community

...and no minority can expect the FULL mainstream population to understand their culture....do you fully understand the experience of a Black, Asian, or Latin persons in this country.....or the opposite gender:straight or gay.....

it will never happen...you want acceptance and respect by society...no minority is ever 100% understood.

all minorities have issues.....Jews are very accepted in mainstream American culture but they seek to create institutions about the Holocaust in the USA, even though the actual event happened in Europe, not in the USA...to them it is a world wide cause for their race...so that can confuse and upset Americans over the extent of the focus on it by one group here......

you will see Spanish youths wear CHE T shirts...or American blacks were African clothes and give African names to their children.....most Spanish and Black do not do it,,,,but some do seek to promote their homeland culture here........

you posted a great question
for people to think about
hope i helped

Jon
http://www.kpdxw.com

Answer 2

Well, QE is a little stereotypical, which can influence the public a lot, and it is a bit annoying when girls come up to me and are like, "OMG! YOU'RE GAY??? I LOVE GAY GUYS!" Well, umm...thanks?
Though, Will & Grace I absolutely love, and I don't think it's demeaning at all. I think the show is a bit more realistic and believable, although QE is in a totally different genre than Will & Grace.
No matter what, the media is going to influence the ignorants' views. It happens with every group, not just the GBLQT group. People are going to have dumb views which are influenced by all TV shows. I'm not going to worry about about GBLQT shows though, because personally, I don't believe they're that demeaning in general.

Answer 3

Well... I can see your point. But I'm gay, and I love Will & Grace. I think its hilarious. I honestly don't care what people say about me, because I know that shows like that are just playing off of stereotypes. The stereotypes however are based in truth. I mean really, have you never had that one gay friend who reminded you of Jack? :P The show itself is just entertainment, and I think should be taken more at face-value then trying to be read too deeply. The LGBT community should probably lighten up a bit.

However, you are also right that shows like that have a tendency to create a somewhat negative image of the LGBT community, and since other people use stuff like that as a basis for their judgment of our community, it can sometimes create unwanted hostility. So to other folks who haven't realized this: TV ISN'T REAL!! Seriously. We don't all have rainbows coming out of our butts. Some of us are just average Joe's.

In the long run, I think it will benefit the gay community, because it creates awareness. Admittedly, it might not have been the smartest way of doing it, but its already done and out there, and it worked, so I'm not complaining.

Answer 4

Queer Eye has NOTHING positive to offer. It's all a parade of positive stereotype. Will & Grace at least has SOME variation; in the beginning especially, there was a contrast between Jack + Will (granted, neither is probably particularly healthy, but I can make allowances because healthy "normal" people aren't entertaining and it is a sitcom). At times, they did raise actual gay issues, which is always a plus. Queer Eye is just "Queer people aren't that bad, as long as they're helping us AND making us laugh! What? RIghts? Dude, not funny....now are you gonna teach me how to cook or not?"


I seriously hate Queer Eye with a passion. Will & Grace is...alright. Not great, but alright. (It is very much about rich white gay men, and for quite awhile all you had was celibate Will and promiscuous Jack; heaven forbid either of them enters a real relationship)

Answer 5

No, I liked Will and Grace a lot, I've never seen queer eye though so I wouldn't know. But what would offend me more is if there where NO gay shows on tv. I especially liked How they didn't make Will a big Flaming Queen, showing that not all gays are a stereotype.

Answer 6

I watched will and grace twice and I was so put off by the stereotyping that they did of gay men that I never watched it again. I think that it was extremely demeaning to gay men.
QE is okay...it is just a much lighter note.
Queer as Folk was a much better depiction of one side of gay life..that seemed to ring at least a little true.

Answer 7

I guess these shows don't do much for dignity, but I think W&G is the funniest show ever. They poke fun at other groups, too.