What’s on TV
Representations of LGBTQ individuals on television are further and farther between than most of us would like. Not only are there very few gay men, lesbians and other queer individuals on TV, but in many cases when they are represented the representations are not what any of us would prefer. Thankfully, things are improving, and more and more shows are including a more diverse cast.
Often LGBTQ individuals are best represented in reality TV. Networks like Bravo have made shows from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to Project Runway popular. Recent casts from shows like Top Chef and even CBS’s Survivor have included people who were open about their sexuality. While these shows offered positive representations, others are perhaps slightly more embarrassing, including MTV’s Tila Tequila dating show. LOGO has even recently produced a show featuring Calpurnia Addams, a transwoman looking for love. Programming aimed at the GLBTQ community is offered by the LOGO network and here! TV network.Â
Comedies, dramas and other shows, both on air and off, also feature GLBTQ characters. Some of the best are no longer on the air, but included cable shows like Showtime’s Queer as Folk and HBO’s Six Feet Under. Other shows that included great representations of characters and relationships are Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ellen, and Will and Grace. Showtime’s the L-Word, one of the few shows on TV with a cast of largely lesbian characters is slated for another season. ABC is in the lead as far as characters representing the gay community, especially with shows like Ugly Betty. Ugly Betty features a transgendered female character in a lead role, as well as gay characters in supporting roles.
Documentaries, political commentaries and witty stand up comedy can all be found on LOGO and Bravo, but less commonly on mainstream networks. You will find that more and more networks are making some programming available online, either for free or for a fee with a service like ITunes.
There are some great media resources online if you’d like to keep an eye on possible new happenings in GLBTQ friendly television. Afterellen.com offers a regular look at lesbian and bisexual women’s concerns in mass media, including television and film. After Elton offers a similar perspective with regard to the media and gay and bisexual men. These sites are both entertaining and informative, and may help to turn you on to new queer friendly programming, whether you’re looking for a ridiculous romp in Dante’s Cove or great and serious programming in a drama show.
Here is one of things I notice. When the media deigns to show anyone that is GLBT they are usually white and middle to upper class. They have created what I like to call the “acceptable gay”. If you don’t fit into one of their categories you don’t get any coverage whatsoever. This is a problem.
Well it is kind of a new image we have seen lately. They used to just show the leather daddies on parade (not that thats bad) but just saying they tried to show the most extreme of the gay scene instead of showing gay families. I do agree to some extent they are almost trying to make us live a certain lifestyle and live up to a certain image that they have built for us now. We might just need some more extreme gays.
As for the white vs. black issue. I do not see that. If anything its more asian gays that do not get the media coverage. Blacks, whites, and hispanics get all the attention.
I CAN’T WAIT FOR EPISODE 3!!!!!!!!
I think it is a great show. My biggest problem as far as representing different group, is the military. I have no problem with them showing a gay soldier. I personally know a few myself. However, they just need to do their research and represent the military properly. Wear the uniforms properly. T can not wear a CIB (combat infantry badge) because females cannot go infantry. Wear the beret properly they look like idiots on the show. All I ask is if you are going to stand up for gays in the military, do you research on the military first. Represent us…we take pride in our appearance. And we take pride in our job!