How can we increase the number of openly gay individuals working in the media?

Question

We host America’s first “gay” morning radio show on Energy 92.7FM in San Francisco. Our show is not about being gay, but when you listen, you know. We trash talk Britney and Paris, but we also talk about things like marriage equality. We’re defined by how entertaining we are, not by who we sleep with. We hope the rest of the country will get there too.

Answer 1

It will happen when it is supposed to happen. There are several openly gay individuals working in the media. The thing is, it shouldn't matter if they are gay or not.

There are a bunch of people who are not necessarily open about being hetero out there too. The thing is, by calling yourselves gay hosts, or black hosts, or hispanic hosts, or female hosts or any of those, you are placing the emphasis on your identity being gay, or black, or hispanic etc.

Answer 2

It's a sad thing that we even have to have questions like this. It shouldn't matter what your sexuality is, it should matter how well you do your job.
I think that the only way to get more openly gay people in the media is perhaps to stop labeling things in the media- and everywhere else- as a 'gay' this and that.
As was stated by an earlier contributor- why was the goal to be the best Gay chorus- why wasn't the goal to be the best Chorus?
People shouldn't care if you are gay or not- is the show good?

The same should go for anything- If we stop labeling everyone perhaps we Can promote and actually find equality for everyone- and we do not have have a line between us.

Answer 3

First off... I listen to your morning show on my way to work EVERYDAY. I am a straight woman and could care less if you two are gay, straight, blue, green, whatever you want to be. I love your work and that is what matters to me.

Now, the way to increase the number of openly gay people in the media would be possible only when any stigma associated with being gay is gone... will this happen? Probably not real soon... and it is a shame. People swear it is such an evil thing. Seriously, who would ever choose to belong to a community of people that are usually seen as different, discriminated againt, taunted and tormented by others. Come on... lets get real... people don't choose to be gay... they just are... and so be it. Being gay in NOT contagious. And if you want a hetereosexual day... then go celebrate... no one is saying don't do it. Just be and let other be.... and you guys are right... your show is so not about being gay... but youembrace who you are and it comes out in your delivery... just like the Renel in the morning show embraces her African American culture... it is not a show about African Americans... yet... she embraces it and has that flavor... The way I see it... if people don't like it... then change the damn station. How can a country with so much wealth and educational oportunities be filled with so many closed minded people. It is beyond me... Would I think the same if I was not from San Francisco? Who knows... but thank goodness I am! Best to all! =)

Answer 4

Well I myself am not gay but I am 100% for what you are saying. I wish there was more openly gay people in the media. There is nothing wrong with being gay, its just that other people who are ignorant are the ones who make things difficult for those who are. It will probaly take a long time before you can get where you want to be, but dont ever give up. No matter how many people are against your lifestyle, its not their lives. I say live for yourself and live for what you love the most, be proud of who you are, and never let anyone take that away from you. I hope you guys get the answers you are searching for, and i wish you all the best of luck!

Answer 5

Let me first apologize because this is completely off the subject, however i felt it necessary to comment on the ignorant and narrow-mindedness that was displayed by many of the users. By now people should realize that being gay is no more of a choice than being African-American, Jewish or Korean is. If you feel the need to be so opinionated at least be educated on the subject. Furthermore there is no reason that more openly gay individuals shouldn't be working in the media if they want to. Unfortunately as we can see here by these judgmental posts that we as a people have still a ways to go. I feel that it is important to let the next generation know that it IS OK to be gay. Maybe then they wont have to struggle as much as some of us had to. Here is a question for you: Why is it that every "minority" has to fight for their own CIVIL RIGHTS?

Answer 6

First off you need to give these individuals a safe haven in the media. Nobody wants to "come out" and loose support from fans and people they work with. We need to fix this gap between different ways of living. Like many peopkle have said in the past, we are all the same on the inside, no matter what are skin color, beliefs, or style is. I also believe there is not enough information out there about the "unknown". Many people are not aware of all the facts and rely on false information. With more people in "high power" in the media, such as Ellen Degeneres and Fernando & Greg, who have a different sexuality, the more people can see that someone else has succeeded. It gives support. I hope I have helped in any way possible, Im not an expert.
:)

Answer 7

Just wait until talented individuals arise, I'm assuming that's how you guys got your jobs-you are good at it, and there was a market for what you do, so it happened.

Take a lesson from U.P.N., they pushed hard to get a lot of black sitcoms on television, and they ignored quality for a quantity of black shows, and now, I don't even give shows on that channel (now the WB) a chance.

Gays are a minority, and, if you are represented as a minority in the media, then that's appropriate.

And, what do you mean by openly gay? Do they have to talk with a lisp and wave their hands in the air, and have a funny trendy too much mousse hairdo work as a new anchor? A news anchor should look boring, and sound boring, and the news they report should be of interest, not the person reporting it.

If you want to get more openly gay individuals out there though, use your name recognition to do it. Find a way to allow video and audio broadcasts that you appreciate to be streamed and downloaded from your site. Keep a visible ticker on the number of downloads and popularity of individuals, and mainstream media will scout them.

Don't be a U-Tube and allow every gay with a microphone to report, take the trouble of screening them yourself for quality. If you want to broadcast their stories, get a fact checker to do some work on their piece. Then, they get their names out there, and they might end up with a show of their own some where.

Answer 8

I have a diffacult time understanding the meaning of your questions. Do you mean you want to go out and recruit gay's for the media and base the job selection on them being openly gay and not their talent. Or, do you advocate the openess of gays who are in the media and persueing careers in the media who are talented and just happen to be gay but feel less free to be open?

I am hopeing it is the latter and I will say that setting the example and pave the way as any pioneer would. Me I advocate open relationships of any sort, then again I was raised that sexuality and personal lives were best kept at home. But I understand that you are takeing being openly gay into the world of politics and out of the personal and private preferance arena.

Answer 9

As a heterosexual, I accept that I'm likely to be flamed for this, but...

Why does sexuality have to be a factor in any industry? I mean, I'm all for opening minds and coming to grips with the idea that "the other" is out there, but I don't understand this need to flaunt your sexual preference. I work in the IT industry and I've known a number of "straights" and "gays" in my industry and honestly, it doesn't impact how well they do their job. They are either good workers or not... the sexuality is just a side issue...

You're hired to do a job. Do you do it well? Because at the end of the day, nothing else should matter.

I don't watch a TV show or movie because it was "directed by a gay director"... I watch it because the concept appeals to me... or I don't because the concept doesn't.

Now, if you can point out specific bigotry for a specific individual, I'll get on the bandwagon... but as a rule, you're not hired because you're gay or straight... as a rule, you're hired because you have the credentials, and someone in the company believes you can get the job done.

We have bigotry because people make an issue of this side crap... when we stop worrying about hiring someone because they are X, and focus on hiring them because they are good at their job, sexuality, race, etc. will cease to matter...

I have lost out on opportunities because I didn't fit a minority that was the flavor of the month (and I can honestly say that this is why because I was told as much). Should that make me more supportive? I would have been a lot happier to have been told I was overlooked because someone else was better, not because they fit a politically correct score card.

I guess it boils down to "who F*&#$^&*#$*^ cares if you're gay"... can you do the job?

Answer 10

That is unlikely to change, until the American public make a perceptible shift in their acceptance of gay 'stars'.

The fact is, a straight actor can now fairly safely take a 'gay' role, but an out gay actor is going to have to struggle to get a 'straight' part if that includes a romantic element. The public is fickle, and Hollywood is attuned to that.

So, first convince the public that a gay actor falling in low with an actress is believable, and the rest will follow.

Slowly, as more people come out in ordinary life, that attitude will shift - already 40% of the population say they have a relative or friend who is gay. If more private individuals come out, then eventually the media will also be able to come out. And after them, maybe the sports stars....

Answer 11

Why would you want to increase or decrease the number ? Is it a hiring initiative you have been given ? Or for personal reasons ? I think that "gays" have a personal agenda in trying to recruit and make the whole world gay so they feel more comfortable. Why can't the gays / straights coexist ? Being gay is statistically an exception to the way most people are. I think the number of gays in the media is probably proportionate to population ? I do not think the gay population will ever be the majority. Do you ?? Maybe I do not understand the world well enough but I honestly do not believe that there are that many people out there hiding in the closet afraid to be gay if that is what they truly want . Many years ago, I would say this was the case. I don't see it that way now.

I have to say that I have never cared for Rosie or Ellen. Unfortunately / Fortunately, (maybe) I have been bombarded in hearing about both of them through the media. I do have to say that I think some of Rosie's arguments are intelligent. I do respect her for taking a strong stand and being passionate about things she cares about. I did a lot of thinking about why I disliked her so much before. Can't figure out if it was because she was gay / overweight and I finally concluded that the problem was mine and that I needed to change my thinking and not discriminate so much. I might be missing interaction /learning from another person because I had pre judged them. I think that many people have to become more understanding, accepting and learn about other types of people and just respect them. Like can follow .. but respect would be an important first step. Neither side should have to change the world in order to see that happen.