I know that I'm visiting an old subject, but I was flipping through the TV late the other night and I came across scumTV, I mean MTV. They were showing one of those dating shows where a group of guys try to be the one that impresses the girl, except this one was for gay guys.
Now I don't have a problem with the fact that it was for gays. What I found myself frustrated at, is that they were "over-acting". I have met a lot of gay men in the last couple of years and none have acted, dare I say it, as queeny as these guys were.
Now I suppose that the guys that I have met were "on their best behaviour" and act differently around others, but I don't really think so.
Were the producers of this show poking fun at gay people or trying to act out some sort of fantasy?
The problem that I have is this, When heterosexual people watch something like this they put a label on all gay people, that says this is the way they "all" act. I believe that this sort of negative exposure hurts the cause of gay people and the quest for equal rights.
I completely agree with you papa. I am sick of being sterotyped. And the other thing that bothers me is, why are all the gay men on TV "pretty"? It makes everyone think that all gay men are well built and have six packs. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy actually ragged on of the "straight men" because he had a little extra padding. He made a big deal out of it and said he need to get in shape. The "straight guy" they were working with was very cute, and needed no help in that area. The gay community almost requires you to be skinny and beautiful on the outside, and if you are not, then there is something wrong with you. Well, I am here to tell ya, there is nothing wrong with me. I may not be the "token gay man" but I have been beautifully and wonderfully made. I am very happy with me!! Ok...I will get off my soap box now
I'm sick of it too... but at least some times they have normal people. Like on top chef-- "Dave" was kind of bigger, a little older, and only semi-queeny (most of the time). I liked that.
__________________
"I'd place myself... oh... somewhere between Galadriel and Peter Griffin."
Well the producers want to have a "good show" at the expense of someone's self-esteem, and sub consiously make gays the brunt of jokes. I get bored with those types of programs and find the "off button." Sadly, the gay community, adores, wants and worships the perfect man, who is good looking and overlooks the most important thing of what is in one's heart and head. In the past, because I am of average looks have always sought the ideal perfect, handsome man, overlooking all other qualities. But by accepting myself and loving myself, I can accept the love of God, and have been able to accept love from the guy I am dating.
Looks fade then what? What is left? I am not stereotypical. I'm probably one of the few gay men who loves to crossdress which is more of a straight trait. But I know that God loves me unconditionally where I am right now, and that is the most important thing.
All that I can say about Hollywood is: if they're not going to show normal STRAIGHT people on TV...then what makes us think that they are going to show us normal GAY people on there?
"Will & Grace" is gone. It had great potential, but it took the low road and played to more stereotypes than Amos & Andy! Glad that it's GONE!
"Queer Eye" makes me want to go STRAIGHT! It has more of the ability to do this than ANYTHING that the ex-gay ministries ever had.
Hollywood! If you're listening...
ENOUGH with the stereotypes! Put on a show with NORMAL people on it...BOTH gay and straight...played by BOTH REAL openly gay and straight actors!
If everything you see is just like you see in the world around you, you will feel comfortable, contented. You will not be persuaded to buy the goods advertised between shows. So TV creates an artificial world with the sole purpose of creating dissatisfaction in the lives of the viewers, so that they will go out and buy the advertised goods. We *cannot* expect television to portray normal, straight or gay. TV is playing to the lowest common denominator, to primal urges of the pursuit of comfort. It is perhaps more important for us to spread the message that people shouldn't put much time or effort into television, than for us to push that TV portray us (or anyone) correctly.
