Do stereotypical roles of gay men and lesbians, as portrayed in the media?

Question

hurt the movement for education about and awareness of gays and lesbians?

Answer 1

In a way I believe they do. For the LGBT community is as diverse as the world's people when it comes to personalities. What one sees in the media could merely be a minuscule representation, or a misrepresentation of the entire LGBT community because it tends to focus on those very stereotypes that we have been trying to disprove all this while. Those who don't understand alternate sexuality will inevitably be influenced by the media because it has the power to create strong impressions in the minds of people.

Answer 2

I would go as far as saying all stereotypical representations of social groups are damaging to that group. The representation of gay people in the media is often used as a plot device, rather than a reflection of society's make up. I'm sure that this is what give rise to the "why do all gay men have lisps/lesbians dress like me" sort of questions that we see all too frequently here on Y!A.

I think the most damage is done to young gay people. Those who don't fit a stereotype will feel more confused and alienated because they may not *want* to fit that stereotype (e.g. a lesbian girly girl). Those who do fit a stereotype will also be victimised by their peers because invariably the stereotypes are seen as negative - that there is something "wrong" with being a butch lesbian or a camp gay man.

I think things are changing slowly. We are becoming more mainstream. That said, it's quite depressing that whenever a gay character is appears in a UK soap, though, any male/male kiss still generally provokes letters of outrage from "disgusted of Dawlish" and the like.

The best way to combat these stereotypes is to be openly gay and live your life as best you can to provide a role model for other gay people.

Answer 3

The problem is, stereotypes exist for a reason. I've known several gays and lesbians that behaved just like anyone else, which is awesome because they *are* like anyone else. Then I've run into some VERY flaming weirdo stereotypical gays and lesbians that were just so.. out there.. that they actually frightened me. Probably because their behavior just seemed so strange and contrary to "normal". I wonder - do they behave this way because they think they're supposed to? Or because they've seen others do it? Do they think it's funny maybe, knowing how uncomfortable it makes others?

Yes, the stereotypes hurt education and awareness. But I really think if nobody actually acted or looked like they're portrayed, pretty soon people would start to realize the sterotype was unrealistic. I think those people that FIT the stereotypes perfectly are hurting the movement more than the media is.

Answer 4

To superN THAT smacks of Transphobia. A fear that people aren't performing gender "correctly." And THAT hurts our movement. Identity policing hurts our movement. A lot of homophobia is a phobia that someone is not carrying out their "proper" gender scripts, which, among other things involves heterosexuality.

To answer the question, yes, these representations hurt the movement in that it presents only a very small box that people are supposed to exist in, a box in which one small part of one's identity is to rule over their entire existence, and that the box must be framed a certain way.

Do some people fit stereotypes, yes, but stereotypes are harmful in that they are supposedly representing an entire group of people.

I also believe that gay and lesbian identified characters on television help the movement in that it prompts more dialogue about different aspects of social identity; where as before, talking about anything but the social "norm" was taboo and off limits.

There are both pros and cons to gay and lesbian identified characters in the media.

As the quote goes "Normal bodies are a figment of the politically motivated imagination." This also applies to identity performance.

Answer 5

Yes. It's sad that a lot of people, even homosexual men and women, do not even think of or notice that the media has been exploiting and using the whole homosexual orientation as a means of something to use for their gain and material. Homosexuals have always been around (whether seen normally/not minded or not thought of positively) and that was that - they just went on living their lives in every point in history. They were just citizens who happened to be homosexual, not loud flamboyant people. But today you can see that it is too much examined and publicized. Rather than helping homosexuals and lesbians, the media is further alienating them and making them seem like some fad, fashion, shock value or something from another planet and creating impressions of bad stereotypes.

Answer 6

Shows like Will and Grace (Do any gay people watch that crap!) do for gays what Amos and Andy did for black people. Maybe even what The Bad Seed did for nine year old girls with pigtails!

Answer 7

yeah!
first they are portrayed as "the liberal media"
then they show all these stereotypes
people figure liberal media wouldn't lie bout the "gay agenda"
so the stereotypes must be true.
and let's face it most people aren't particularly bright to begin with

Answer 8

Absolutely! Many ignorant people still believe that gay people are pedophiles. Of course we know that this is just ignorant.

Answer 9

Yes, unfortunately they do.
The media is dangerous, especially in the wrong hands.

Answer 10

yes, especially if it's Jerry Springer.