gaysploitation

[ellsworth81]

i saw bill maher bring this up ... and he made an interesting observation. are all these shows featuring gays exploitative/mocking? or is it more a sign of ... acceptance of gays? is anyone tired of this new trend in TV?

[kimpossible]

The gay male fad on TV favors the happy, fabulous fairy who will revive boring breeder (straight ppl) lives with their colorful phrases and whip smart style.

Funny how you never get to see them kiss. That might upset the straight viewers who like their gay men fun, emasculated and eunuch-like.

[thaite]

It's the trend to portray straight men as clueless, uncultured and unfashionable. Directly opposite are the metrosexuals, who are portrayed as sophisticated, cultured and fashionable, but possibly teeter on this side of the straight/gay line. Plus, it's a fun way to say 'queer' without getting dirty looks.

Did you ever wonder what "Lesbian Eye for the Straight Gal" might be like?

"OFF with that makeup?"

"We're gonna cut your hair short, and make it straight and spiky."

"You need more jeans and t-shirts in your wardrobe."

"What? No Melissa Etheridge?"

"Hot dogs and sausage are a sign of male oppression."

Am. TV likes its stereotypes, why not this one?

[deez nuts]

if you can't be used.

you're useless.

[shy]

The gay male fad on TV favors the happy, fabulous fairy who will revive boring breeder (straight ppl) lives with their colorful phrases and whip smart style.

Funny how you never get to see them kiss. That might upset the straight viewers who like their gay men fun, emasculated and eunuch-like.

good point... and speaking of the happy gay male... will and grace's jack.

i remember there was this one episode where will and jack went on some protest for some tv network that would not allow two gay men to kiss. right infront of the camera (news camera outside w/ the protestors in the show), will gives jack a big fat kiss.

but aside from that... you never see jack or will kiss any of their dates/boyfriends/partners (unless i happen to miss such episodes).

[kitty]

Well, why are will and jack so effeminate and flaky? I don't watch Will&Grace often, but it's always trumpeted as the breakthrough show, and while I think it's great to finally have some gay characters on TV, I think these guys are incredibly stereotypical to the point that I'd almost rather they scrapped the whole idea and went back to the drawing board.

[shy]

another thing... if women can now kiss on t.v., when will they let men do it too? i know we can't expect everything to happen over night... you know, such things require baby steps.

but i'd like to see some equality here.

[kboy75]

men kiss on TV. just not a lot. for sure on cable networks. on normal TV, they have, but less than cable. it all takes time.

remember when they never said "bitch" or "ass" on TV? They also never used to show women kiss. now it's no big deal.

[kimpossible]

yeah but the women kissing thing on TV isn't realistic lesbian affection or sexual expression, it's more like fake bisexuality, an accessory to be used to attract attention from men. think about it. that's one of my sister's biggest complaints about the proliferation of women kissing on TV. tons of fake bi and not a real dyke to be found among them.

[shy]

yeah but the women kissing thing on TV isn't realistic lesbian affection or sexual expression, it's more like fake bisexuality, an accessory to be used to attract attention from men. think about it. that's one of my sister's biggest complaints about the proliferation of women kissing on TV. tons of fake bi and not a real dyke to be found among them.

i guess that ties in w/ the hole alley mcbeal thing.

here's an article from afterellen.com talking about whether that was a pro or a con in the lesbian/bisexual community. i thought it was pretty interesting as it brought up another label (yet again) called 'heterflexible'.

yeah... i know... too much...

http://www.afterellen.com/TV/allymcbeal.html

the one problem that such a show does to the LGBT community is that it might promote bisexuality as a trend... and from what i gather, those who truely indentify as lesbian or bisexual, are sort of tired of those that do it just for the trend.

[kboy75]

well, that's why it's called acting. straight-man and straight-woman kissing can be an awkward and cold experience for the actors too.

yeah, there are straight women that play lesbian characters on TV / film. does that discount the content of the material?

if you want real homosexual affection or sexual expression stuff, well, that's why you have porn. what does your sister want, only real lesbos playing lesbos on TV and film? that's not acting.

[shy]

well, that's why it's called acting. straight-man and straight-woman kissing can be an awkward and cold experience for the actors too.

yeah, there are straight women that play lesbian characters on TV / film. does that discount the content of the material?

if you want real homosexual affection or sexual expression stuff, well, that's why you have porn. what does your sister want, only real lesbos playing lesbos on TV and film? that's not acting.

i don't think that's what hello_hapa meant...

more to the point.. the characters are poor representations of the lesbian community. you don't need an actor/actress to be gay... but the writers themselves have done a bad job in regards to character substance and depth. what they have done, is portray the popular 'image' which usually involves a lot of stereotypes...

who the hell said porn is any indication of good portrayal of lesbians/bisexuals? my god... they cater to men who are looking for 'lipstick lesbians' (and i'm not using that word to try and offend anyone- just paraphrasing).

[kimpossible]

if you want real homosexual affection or sexual expression stuff, well, that's why you have porn. what does your sister want, only real lesbos playing lesbos on TV and film? that's not acting.

*points to shy's post* what she said.

[shy]

i guess that ties in w/ the hole alley mcbeal thing.

here's an article from afterellen.com talking about whether that was a pro or a con in the lesbian/bisexual community. i thought it was pretty interesting as it brought up another label (yet again) called 'heterflexible'.

yeah... i know... too much...

http://www.afterellen.com/TV/allymcbeal.html

the one problem that such a show does to the LGBT community is that it might promote bisexuality as a trend... and from what i gather, those who truely indentify as lesbian or bisexual, are sort of tired of those that do it just for the trend.

btw, note that this article is under the 'trends' section as oppose to the 'milestones' section. ;)

[kboy75]

*points to shy's post* what she said.


ok, i misunderstood.

in that case, i agree with you, but that's just a matter of time. gays/lesbians are a lot further along than asians in media. there are some gay chacters that defy stereotupes. like the show Six Feet Under... or James Gandolfini's character in The Mexican... I think it is only matter of time before it tranpires into TV. Shows such as Will&Grace focus in on the fact that they are gay vs. the fact that he's a person (who happends to be gay as well). But that's hollywood for you... at least for now.

[kboy75]

who the hell said porn is any indication of good portrayal of lesbians/bisexuals? my god... they cater to men who are looking for 'lipstick lesbians' (and i'm not using that word to try and offend anyone- just paraphrasing).


I'm not saying porn is an indication of good portrayal of lesbians/bisexuals. I though someone asked about "real homosexual affection or sexual expression" as in the real thing and not acting. but i must have misunderstood.

[kboy75]

i guess that ties in w/ the hole alley mcbeal thing.

here's an article from afterellen.com talking about whether that was a pro or a con in the lesbian/bisexual community. i thought it was pretty interesting as it brought up another label (yet again) called 'heterflexible'.

yeah... i know... too much...

http://www.afterellen.com/TV/allymcbeal.html

the one problem that such a show does to the LGBT community is that it might promote bisexuality as a trend... and from what i gather, those who truely indentify as lesbian or bisexual, are sort of tired of those that do it just for the trend.


yeah, i don't really consider people who "decide" to be homo/bi-sexual as truly homo/bi-sexual. It's because I believe you are born gay.

But on the other hand, people have the right to be what they want to be and enjoy sexuality they way they want. And the fact is that there are many many people out there that (for whatver reason) decided to be gay or bi. That's a whole other issue, but i would only find it problematic if people lost sight of the fact that being truly (for lack of a better word) homosexual is something you do not choose.

[etcj]

Gaysploitation...great synergy there.

Congressman Barney Frank, whom you all know delightfully as the gay congressman, hates Queer Eye for the Straight Eye. His main reason is gaysploitation. He feels that gay men are being used as tools to make straight men better - the fashion tips, the remodeling, makeovers... however, in the end, the gay men are always alone, loveless, and sipping their martinis.

As for myself, I don't think that there's anything wrong with creating gaysploitation shows. However, don't expect me to watch them, because I don't really find it interesting nor relatable. I hate it when people tell me to watch these shows simply because they are gay-themed. If the show has some substance and isn't boring in addition to being gay-themed, then I wouldn't mind watching.

[frcegrl]

the way i see it, you've got to start somewhere. shows like "will & grace" will bring homosexuality to the mainstream but is it a true representation of the queer nation? no, not really. gay oriented shows are full of stereotypes and that could be cuz that's all straight folks are ready to see. give 'em a little but don't scare 'em off, i guess. i could criticize those shows to no end but the reality of it is that we need coverage and as long as it is not hateful, it's a start. not saying i'll watch them all. as a matter of fact, i think "queer eye for the straight guy" is a waste of time.

the media and hollywood exploite everyone. anything that can make them money. no discrimination there!

does anyone know when they'll have "girl meets girl"? haha

[ellsworth81]

so basically you need some element of 'sploitation to bring anything that is "shunned" to the forefront and to convert it into something chic.

Does that mean we can look forward to shows like Chang and Grace to represent an Asian racial quirks? Or Pepe and Grace for some Latino quirks? Perish the thought ...

But is the gay community being served well by having Will and Grace on the air? How do they feel about it?


the way i see it, you've got to start somewhere. shows like "will & grace" will bring homosexuality to the mainstream but is it a true representation of the queer nation? no, not really. gay oriented shows are full of stereotypes and that could be cuz that's all straight folks are ready to see. give 'em a little but don't scare 'em off, i guess. i could criticize those shows to no end but the reality of it is that we need coverage and as long as it is not hateful, it's a start. not saying i'll watch them all. as a matter of fact, i think "queer eye for the straight guy" is a waste of time.

the media and hollywood exploite everyone. anything that can make them money. no discrimination there!

does anyone know when they'll have "girl meets girl"? haha

[myself808]

he way i see it, you've got to start somewhere. shows like "will & grace" will bring homosexuality to the mainstream but is it a true representation of the queer nation? no, not really. gay oriented shows are full of stereotypes and that could be cuz that's all straight folks are ready to see. give 'em a little but don't scare 'em off, i guess. i could criticize those shows to no end but the reality of it is that we need coverage and as long as it is not hateful, it's a start. not saying i'll watch them all. as a matter of fact, i think "queer eye for the straight guy" is a waste of time.

the media and hollywood exploite everyone. anything that can make them money. no discrimination there!

what frcegrl says.
this pretty much nails what I've been hearing/reading.

Does that mean we can look forward to shows like Chang and Grace to represent an Asian racial quirks? Or Pepe and Grace for some Latino quirks? Perish the thought ...

Ever see TV show called Chico and the Man? (http://www.timvp.com/chico.html) There was also a show called Mr T and Tina starring Pat Morita as Susan Blanchard.
are your thoughts perishing yet?

[mr. x]

i was watching The Rock (classic action movie) but it had a that hair stylist dude who was blatantly gay

"I did not see you throw that man off the ledge all i care about is are u happy with your haircut?!?!"

[lethal]

another thing... if women can now kiss on t.v., when will they let men do it too? i know we can't expect everything to happen over night... you know, such things require baby steps.

but i'd like to see some equality here.

There was an episode of "the OC" where the father of one of the characters was discovered to be having a gay affair with another man. The discovery was made when the son saw the dad kissing another man. The kiss was shown on TV.

[ellsworth81]

what frcegrl says.
this pretty much nails what I've been hearing/reading.



Ever see TV show called Chico and the Man? (http://www.timvp.com/chico.html) There was also a show called Mr T and Tina starring Pat Morita as Susan Blanchard.
are your thoughts perishing yet?

we love exploitation

[mr. x]

so do u guys think most mainstream portrayal of gays is sploitative? Queer Eye of course on the one hand says look how stylish they are! but on the other it says that gays have to, HAVE TO be fashion designers or hair stylists

[Faithless]

May I throw-out there a very interesting site:
www.commercialcloset.org

The Commercial Closet Association educates advertisers and ad agencies for more effective and informed references to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the powerful medium of advertising.