Looking at some of the answers I received for my question on the prevalence of "lipstick" lesbian characters over butch ones, I thought I'd pose this question as well.
Do you think the reason why most portrayals of gay men in Hollywood movies and TV as effeminate characters is because it's safer and perhaps less "threatening" to straight audiences? I mean, there have been gay characters who are portrayed as masculine, but they often perpetuate the other stereotype of the handsome, GQ model type or all-American boy-next-door type.
Given that men who fall within the "bear" subculture are becoming more visible in western society, do you think this will change? While realistically not all bearish guys behave in a "butch" manner, I've known and befriended quite a few who actually do.
Anyone remember a sitcom starring actor John Goodman as a gay man that flopped miserably a few years back?
2007-12-27 20:54:47 · 6 answers · asked by x y 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
For anyone who's not familiar with the gay "bear" subculture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_community
2007-12-27 21:00:55 · update #1
I think that Hollywood writers generally don't know how to write for minority characters (including people of color, LGBT people, etc). So rather than trying to make a character believable as simply a "normal" person, they like to fall back on stereotypes.
It's just the media's way of re-enforcing these stereotypes, to keep the nation's perception that all homosexual men are wrist-flapping, lisp-talking, belly shirt-wearing, promiscuous fags. Thanks, Will and Grace!
2007-12-28 07:44:44 · answer #1 · answered by pceej 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Butch lesbians and butch gay men are perceived as sexually aggressive and therefore threatening. Effeminate gay male stereotypes are cartoon characters that are non-sexual and therefore not threatening. Lipstick lesbians are, again, not overtly sexual in a manner that would threaten the heterosexual male dominated "norm" that is ingrained in our society.
If you think about it, this also applies to the portrayal of heterosexual women in the media. Sexually aggressive women are normally portrayed in a negative light - as villains or having low morals. The terms used to describe women who have multiple sexual partners are derogatory, whereas those describing males who sleep around are, for the large part, admiring (e.g. stud, stallion, "ladies man", etc.)
2007-12-27 22:21:42 · answer #2 · answered by thatgaybloke 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
With regards to the straight moviegoing audience, I think the heterosexual males who make up the majority would feel uncomfortable with depictions of gay men who are butch and could probably kick their asses, like they would with the depictions of butch lesbians onscreen.
Of course when we do see an ultra-masculine gay male character, he always has to be a villain or some sort of pervert (e.g. child molester) as well.
Unfortunately, in western society (which can still be patriarchal in some respects) this seems to be the prevailing attitude when it comes to Hollywood movies and TV shows:
1. lipstick lesbian = heterosexual male erotic fantasy
2. effeminate gay man = comedy value
3. butch gay guy or butch lesbian = threat to heterosexual masculinity, and therefore offensive
2007-12-27 21:20:31 · answer #3 · answered by Tantu 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Straights like to think they can spot gay men and the best way to let them keep the illusion is to use the effeminate gay man stereotype........think Will and Grace.
2007-12-27 21:00:50 · answer #4 · answered by Cathryn 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Masculine gay men are not "entertaining" enough for straight audiences. They would have nothing to laugh at and their little bigoted balloons would burst.
2007-12-27 21:00:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
it's Hollywood...I do not get threatened by Hollwood...Why because it is actors being paid to act.......
I can seperate real life and entertainment
2007-12-27 22:31:23 · answer #6 · answered by Wayne 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋