in general, i love the show. but i have a serious problem with how mark is portrayed. they make him exactly the stereotype; he works for a fasion magazine, he wears femenine clothes, has a high voice, loves everything to do with underwear models, spends all his time with girls doing things related to fasion...he's just the definition of stereotypical gay man. its feeding the false stereotype and encouraging people who watch the show to believe that all gay men are like that!!! i think im going to write to the show. anyone know how to contact ABC?
2007-12-05 07:57:28 · 29 answers · asked by Hannah S 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Most gay men in that industry act like that.
Every gay designer I've met acts like that. It's part of their creative expression.
If he were working in a steel mill, acting like that, I would have a problem.
2007-12-05 08:00:02 · answer #1 · answered by QuantumJourney 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure that there are gay men just like Mark working in the fashion industry. I don't think there is any homophobia behind his portrayal. He is openly gay, but there is more to him than just his sexuality. He's not a token figure on the sidelines to make up the comic quota.
Yes, Mark is a camp stereotype, but there is no suggestion that all gay men are like him. The photographer he is currently dating (at least in the episodes we've seen here in the UK) isn't as effeminate as Mark.
I also think that the way they portray Betty's nephew is very brave. Here is another positive role model of a young man who is encouraged to be himself and is supported and loved by his family. It would be great if we could all be so lucky. I'm hoping that they don't have him turn "straight" later on and it was "just a phase he was going through". All in all, I think that Ugly Betty's portrayal of gay people is positive.
2007-12-05 08:10:13 · answer #2 · answered by thatgaybloke 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ugly Betty is my favorite show, and I love the way it is written. Honestly, I know what you are saying about the way Marc (and for that matter, Justin) are portrayed. That being said, however, you have to look at the way the other characters are portrayed--- they are all "bigger than life", which is what makes the show work. The show has a tongue-in-cheek quality and having these characters act the way they do contributes to that effect. I don't think you should write to the show and complain--- they have enough going on with the writers' strike.
2007-12-05 08:03:20 · answer #3 · answered by Joy L 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you are over reacting.
Almost everyone on the show works for a fashion magazine, and most gay guys do like a cute guy in underwear.
Also, Mark's new boyfriend Cliff hardly fits any stereotype of a gay man.
2007-12-05 08:18:02 · answer #4 · answered by χριστοφορος ▽ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why, not everyone acts like that but some gay guys do. He's just a character in a show. Not all shows that have gay men/women portray us stereotypically.
2007-12-05 08:09:47 · answer #5 · answered by Michael K 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Before you run around screaming that the sky is falling, why not ask someone who is openly gay what they think? I know many gay people, males and female, who think Will and Grace is very funny. They especially like Jack, the most stereotyped gay person on the show, because he is a very funny character. We've never discussed Ugly Betty's gay character.
Like most straight people, gays like to laugh at themselves and enjoy friendly attention. It's the negative, hateful comments they dislike.
2007-12-05 08:04:32 · answer #6 · answered by BC 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
TV portrays most gay men in a stereotypical way! Lets take a look at Emerdale.....we have a pair of gay men, one who is overly effeminate, always wearing pink and crying whilst making ridiculous wild gestures with his hands. His partner is a dumbed down version in an aaron jumper.
Coronation Street....the gay barman, who makes me wanna throw the sofa at the TV whenever I see him! And to try and make us believe that a sane woman would even consider having a baby with him is utterly ridiculous too! His partner is obviously a promiscuous nurse.
Eastenders......well I'm sure it won't be long before we discover Steven is gay, just watch him pout!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not homophobic, it just winds me up when I'm subjected to campness on a grand scale forced down my throat. Do you see me parading myself in the high street, shouting from the roof tops that I'm heterosexual and proud of it? Do I insist that once a year Brighton comes to a stand still to mark that fact?!!!
2007-12-05 08:19:41 · answer #7 · answered by robincaz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, this is how gay men are usually portrayed on tv, movies, etc, and I agree that it is very stereotypical. Yes, there are gay men that act feminine, but not the entire genre.
Incidently, this show was adapted from the Latino version that preceded it, produced by Televisa Corp. It was called "La Fea mas Bella", and is virtually the same script.
2007-12-05 08:05:03 · answer #8 · answered by Math Wiz 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
some gay men are like that and some arent. They chose to portray a gay man that is like that so big deal. get over it. theres nothing wrong with a femenine gay man that likes fashion anyway. i dont see the problem. its tv entertainment, your letter wont change anything. find something better to do
2007-12-05 08:02:31 · answer #9 · answered by Ashleyakapasada 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's insulting. After all Ugly Betty is an evening "Soap Opera" it's supposed to be overly dramaticly fake.
How about Mark's newest bf?? He's not the 'stereo type' that Mark is and well, he's a gay man too.
Don't waste you time writing to ABC, if you don't like it, don't watch it.
2007-12-05 08:03:06 · answer #10 · answered by BluGrrl 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i felt exactly the same way at first but the more i watch it, the more i like mark's character. they add a lot of depth to him i think and they had that episode where he came out to his mother and it was really serious for a second.
i think that's how a lot of gay guys are in the fashion industry so i think they're being realistic about it. and his bf in this new series is really straight acting so i don't have a problem with it at all.
2007-12-05 10:15:58 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋