Is TV and the media now doing more harm than good for gay people?

Question

With respect to how gay people percieve themselves and staight people pecieve gay people?

1) The likes of gay times and attitude; do you think they are more branding being gay as a lifestyle than a sexual orientation? Fair enough there may be one or two articles on health but the rest...

2)The likes of Will and Grace; don't get me wrong, the show is funny but do you think TV needs to move on from the stereotypical gay image protrayed on TV?

/your thoughts...

Answer 1

I agree. Although I'm not gay, I can see your point. Another problem is that TV and the media are very seldom correct in their facts......especially the news media.....regarding Iraq. We're to the point where we don't trust anything they say.

Answer 2

I'm intrigued to notice that there are seem to be two main trends in depicting gay people.

People have mentioned Queer as Folk, for example, and the promiscuity displayed in it. On the other hand, shows like Will and Grace are just sanitised: has there even been a gay kiss on it?

None of this is a very original point, I know, but I think we really need more average gay people on TV, who have some sex, but don't sleep around all that much, for example. And a few lesbians somewhere in the middle ground between bulldyke and straight-man's-fantasy (though I admit some men may fantasise about bulldykes...)

And, I would add quite strongly: let's have more bisexuals on TV! And not agonised ones who 'can't decide' or who are really gay, or who can't hold down a relationship with someone because they need the other sex etc etc.

Grrr.

Answer 3

Magazines like Gay Times and Attitude are for a niche market within a small group. The equivalent (for str8 guys) is Loaded. Yeah, all these mags are shallow and simple but both sell an "exciting" lifestyle - if you're a follower, this kind of media is important. Some people need to fill the stereotype in order to function and feel "normal".

Gay characters on television really haven't changed much in 30 years since Mr. Humphrey's from Are You Being Served? It's a shame really, but gay people are to blame as well. With people like Graham Norton and the lads from 3 Poofs & A Piano willing to sell themselves out at the expense of others how can we expect the media to actually show REAL gay people.

It is getting better though... 'bout time.

Answer 4

you seem to be an counseled human being. Why do you've faith that President Bush harmed u.s.? And if so , WHY? recent to us the reason why you imagine damage became achieved( no longer what your professor or media pundit reported). Your motives! even if it is the conflict, save in ideas Congress approved the action through an overpowering majority which consists of Hillary. Have we had any significant attacks on American Soil in view that 9/11? Have most of the administration of al Quida been eliminated ? Does the media nonetheless record each and every note that Osama bin ladin utters? And do the imbedded journalists record the coolest points and good deeds performed through our stunning troops or do they decorate each and every little component they do incorrect? Now ask your question again onlystate it as " do you've faith that the media helped or harmed the USA of a , and why?"

Answer 5

Well its is a complicated situation. On one hand media helps put gay people out by giving them some exposure, but on the other hand, how gay people are shown is totally up to Hollywood.

Most shows I've seen portray homosexuals in a very stereotypical way (like Will and Grace) or gay people as extremely sexually promiscuous (like Queer as Folk). The show that I've seen that gives "some" dimension to gay people is "the L Word" but I know some people have some issues in regards to how lesbians or "females who have sex with other females" are potrayed in that show as well.

I'm happy gay people are finally visible in the media, but I want to see gay characters who's lives don't revolve around "relationships, sex, drugs, or fashion." Gay people have more to show than these 'stereotypical traits' and I think Hollywood should make more of an effort to create a more multi-faceted character that is representative of the gay community.

Also Hollywood needs to show more ethnic gay people...there are also asians, blacks, latinos, middle eastern, etc, gay people out there too.

Answer 6

Totally agree with PJW. The other thing about “gays” on Tv (soaps etc) is that script writers get bored and eventually turn one of them into a bisexual. Remember the gay guy from Soap, then the guy from Dynasty, then the gay couple in EastEnders, the lesbian in Emmerdale (all on the bi-bus).

In the late 80’s you had the “gay son” on these shows, then jump ahead a few episodes and 99% of the time he’d have AIDS. These days you have the “gay couple”, jump ahead a few episodes and one will be sleeping with the opposite sex.

Answer 7

I think we have to be happy that gays are being prtayed in a positive light at all. I don't think the L word is anything like my friends and myself, but then, is Friends really anything like most straight people you know? Will and Grace, Queer as Folk, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy... they may be stereotyping to some extenet, but at least the gay people in those shows are positive, proud and accepted for who they are. When someone is a bigot in these shows, the bigot is the one who comes off seeming stupid and close-minded. I like that.

Answer 8

I have not watched TV at all in well over a decade, and I have a very negative opinion of gay people. It is not their gayness or their lifestyle that I dislike. What I dislike is their dishonesty. They keep their heads buried in the sand rather than forthrightly acknowledging their own weaknesses.

If anything, I suspect that TV helps the gay image. TV is perfect. On each performer, not a hair is out of place, and there is seldom a stutter. People who watch TV a lot seem to lose a tolerance for imperfection. As a result, they shun the most imperfect of all activities: thought. Instead of thought, they opt for mere mindless conformity. It is not the logic of an argument that matters, but only whether the conclusion itself conforms to the conclusion of some political group.

So, yes, I do believe that TV helps to make gays look good--far more than they should.

Answer 9

The media in most cases always do more harm then good.

Answer 10

Too much, too much, just too much, me and every one and his nan have just about had enough.I find most gay men i have met some of the nicest humans i have ever met, kind, patient,nice to be with, why is this so? but too much exposure might not be so much in their favour as not alot of people accept their life style.