GAYFACE: Mainstream Media's Portrayal Of The LGBT Community

[ccharles000]

Run time: 09:55 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLJul-zb6o4   Posted on YouTube: October 02, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: October 02, 2009 By DU Member: ccharles000 Views on DU: 665

 

[Neoma]

1. I've come to believe that most all of the media doesn't represent the people at all.

Maybe that's pessimism, but I can't stand almost everything on TV. Reason I don't watch it anymore...

[Divine Discontent]

2. writers & hosts believe people want to laugh & so they mock everything

so of course, when they talk GLBT people, they mock every stereotype they can when writing or talking about them. I am nauseated by Conan O'Brien so much I won't watch his show (before he moved times, because I'd never miss Dave if I was watching at that time). Conan, for years, from what I'd hear from others or when I'd watch his opening, would constantly use Gay people for laughs by insinuating someone was Gay who wasn't and mocking it as embarrassing or bad. You know what I'm talking about.

Anyhow, the writers know people want entertained, well, I'd hope in some serious shows they show some positive male friendships of Gay guys (they're much more apt to show female Gay friendships) with another Gay guy or, my God, a Straight guy! ha

Nice vid, thanks for loading ccharles!

[Chulanowa]

3. It's more a writing problem

Back in the day, the only reason to have a black character was to have a character that "acted black" - there was just no reason to cast a black actor or write a black part, unless it was specifically "black." And writing a part exclusively for one race meant that all the racial stereotypes would be out in force. The character's sole purpose would be to be "the black guy" and his sole character trait would be his race.

Same thing with gays today. Most screenwriters and casting directors aren't going to make a full character and then add in "he's also gay" - if a character is gay, his sexuality is going to be the defining feature of the character. As with hte black character of years past, the entire character is built around his being gay, and the stereotypes are out in buckets to emphasize to the audience that this man is gay. The logic goes, if you're not going to flash a neon pink sign over the character's head with every line he delivers, he might as well just be straight.

Of course, these days we have plenty of black and other ethnic minority characters who are characters beyond their race (though granted, probably more Asian or Latino characters manage this than than black, jewish, or Native American). Hopefully soon there will be a character who is interesting, developed, and oh, just also happens to be gay

[Divine Discontent]

4. good points, thanks.