LGBTQ Representation in the Media

Soon · 03-04-2010, 05:41 PM

The SVU thread got me thinking about starting this thread...a discussion about where and how our community is represented (or not) in the media--the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between.

Here's an ad I found today that was shown in Canada during the Olympics but not the United States.

The Lesbian Hyundai Olympic Ad That Was Too Hot For (American) Television

UofMfan · 03-04-2010, 06:24 PM

Love the ad! Thanks for sharing.

The first person that came to mind was Rachel Maddow, then the list grew from there.

Thanks for starting this thread

UofMfan · 03-05-2010, 12:36 PM

I have been thinking, and although I think Will & Grace was a breakthrough show for the times, I believe the characterization of the gay roles were based on cliches and stereotypes. As soon as I typed that I realized that so was the L word...hmmm.

I think that the gay characters on Grey's Anatomy are an improvement, indeed.

As a whole, I believe that the media does a very poor job of representing those of us in the LGBTQ community.

Greyson · 03-05-2010, 01:02 PM

Does anyone remember the character "Vasquez" in one of the Alien movies? I think the movie depicted one of the very few examples of "Female Masculinity" on the big screen.

When I first viewed this character, my mind screamed out "Butch." ( Of course I also noticed Vasquez was a Latina/o.) Although back when this movie came out, I think it was somewhat of a new or unspoken concept that one could be or feel/project butch and be with a cisgender male. __________________________________________________ _____________

http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...e_Alien_series

Vasquez
Private Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein) was a smartgunner on the Sulaco, partnered with Drake. Vasquez survived the hive and helped seal off the complex from the aliens. She fought together with Drake and killed many aliens during the attack. She was injured when acidic blood from an alien that was shot at point blank range landed on her leg disabling her. Gorman and Vasquez together put their hands on a live grenade to avoid being taken by the aliens. Scholar Judith Halberstam, in her book titled Female Masculinity, wrote that the character is a strong example of female masculinity in film. The Aliens: Colonial Marines comic book limited series features her younger sister (Carmen Vasquez), also a Marine.

Queerasfck · 03-05-2010, 01:45 PM

There was very little LGBTQ representation on tv when I was growing up in the 60's-70's. We had one tv, my dad chose what we watched. I remember a particular episode of All in the Family with Archie coming home after performing CPR on a woman in his cab. The character (Beverly LaSalle) turns out to be in drag. That was the first time I can remember anything like that. Of course it was played for laughs and shock value.
I grew up in a conservative Catholic family. I never knew any queer people in real life and rarely saw them on tv and when someone was it was played for a joke. I'm not saying that it would have made my coming out process to my family any easier. But the LGBTQ youth of today may benefit in that there is more accurate representation on television now then that of the past.

Soon · 03-05-2010, 02:05 PM

CBS responds to gay criticisms

Friday, March 5 2010, 7:12am EST
By Dan French, TV Editor

CBS will make a conscious effort to introduce gay characters into its shows, network president Nina Tassler has confirmed.

Last year, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation criticised the Eye network for its lack of gay characters, while it was recently reported that CBS had rejected adverts from a gay dating site.

"Any show can have gay characters," Tassler told The Hollywood Reporter. "We're conscious of that as well. This year one of our pilots, Quinn-tuplets, has gay characters. Any series can.

"This year we made a concerted effort to suggest to producers, if not in pilot, then as we go forward."

Tassler added: "Diversity has always been a priority. It is a conscious choice across the board to pay attention and to add diversity any way we can."

--------------------

On entirely different note, remember that Jack, in Three's Company, had to pretend to be gay in order to live with Chrissy and Janet? That was weird now that I think back on it--how he *acted* the caricature of gay when the landlord came by--very swish etc...

Oh, and I couldn't watch Soap (conservative Catholic upbringing as well) b/c of it's *adult content* -- remember Billy Crystal played a gay man named Jodie?

Those are two of my earliest memories regarding TV and this issue.

Apocalipstic · 03-05-2010, 02:09 PM

It just kills me that the we in the US are so prissy! That commercial was so vague. Ehhhhhh.

I am thrilled to see people like Rachael, Ellen and Wanda Sykes are out and very popular. Yes, they make them wear make up and try to feminize them a bit, but it is better than it used to be.

Things are definitely better than when we were kids, but there is still a looong way to go.

03-04-2010, 05:41 PM	#1
Soon Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: attached Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: . Posts: 6,896 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,046 Thanked 13,095 Times in 3,386 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	LGBTQ Representation in the Media The SVU thread got me thinking about starting this thread...a discussion about where and how our community is represented (or not) in the media--the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between. Here's an ad I found today that was shown in Canada during the Olympics but not the United States. The Lesbian Hyundai Olympic Ad That Was Too Hot For (American) Television

03-05-2010, 01:02 PM	#4
Greyson Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Transmasculine/Non-Binary Preferred Pronoun?: Hy (Pronounced He) Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,589 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 21,132 Thanked 8,153 Times in 2,005 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Does anyone remember the character "Vasquez" in one of the Alien movies? I think the movie depicted one of the very few examples of "Female Masculinity" on the big screen. When I first viewed this character, my mind screamed out "Butch." ( Of course I also noticed Vasquez was a Latina/o.) Although back when this movie came out, I think it was somewhat of a new or unspoken concept that one could be or feel/project butch and be with a cisgender male. __________________________________________________ _____________ http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...e_Alien_series Vasquez Private Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein) was a smartgunner on the Sulaco, partnered with Drake. Vasquez survived the hive and helped seal off the complex from the aliens. She fought together with Drake and killed many aliens during the attack. She was injured when acidic blood from an alien that was shot at point blank range landed on her leg disabling her. Gorman and Vasquez together put their hands on a live grenade to avoid being taken by the aliens. Scholar Judith Halberstam, in her book titled Female Masculinity, wrote that the character is a strong example of female masculinity in film. The Aliens: Colonial Marines comic book limited series features her younger sister (Carmen Vasquez), also a Marine. __________________ Sometimes you don't realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness. - Susan Gale

03-05-2010, 01:45 PM	#5
Queerasfck Senior Member How Do You Identify?: still ballin' Relationship Status: Triple X Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: west side Posts: 2,544 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,716 Thanked 6,492 Times in 1,638 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	There was very little LGBTQ representation on tv when I was growing up in the 60's-70's. We had one tv, my dad chose what we watched. I remember a particular episode of All in the Family with Archie coming home after performing CPR on a woman in his cab. The character (Beverly LaSalle) turns out to be in drag. That was the first time I can remember anything like that. Of course it was played for laughs and shock value. I grew up in a conservative Catholic family. I never knew any queer people in real life and rarely saw them on tv and when someone was it was played for a joke. I'm not saying that it would have made my coming out process to my family any easier. But the LGBTQ youth of today may benefit in that there is more accurate representation on television now then that of the past. __________________ http://www.advertisingarchives.co.uk...28750fb328.jpg

03-05-2010, 02:09 PM	#7
Apocalipstic Pink Confection How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, Ma'am Relationship Status: Dating Myself Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 4,266 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 17,195 Thanked 11,363 Times in 2,838 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	It just kills me that the we in the US are so prissy! That commercial was so vague. Ehhhhhh. I am thrilled to see people like Rachael, Ellen and Wanda Sykes are out and very popular. Yes, they make them wear make up and try to feminize them a bit, but it is better than it used to be. Things are definitely better than when we were kids, but there is still a looong way to go. __________________

03-04-2010, 06:24 PM	#2
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,936 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Love the ad! Thanks for sharing. The first person that came to mind was Rachel Maddow, then the list grew from there. Thanks for starting this thread

03-05-2010, 12:36 PM	#3
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,936 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	I have been thinking, and although I think Will & Grace was a breakthrough show for the times, I believe the characterization of the gay roles were based on cliches and stereotypes. As soon as I typed that I realized that so was the L word...hmmm. I think that the gay characters on Grey's Anatomy are an improvement, indeed. As a whole, I believe that the media does a very poor job of representing those of us in the LGBTQ community.

03-05-2010, 02:05 PM	#6
Soon Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: attached Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: . Posts: 6,896 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,046 Thanked 13,095 Times in 3,386 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	CBS responds to gay criticisms Friday, March 5 2010, 7:12am EST By Dan French, TV Editor CBS will make a conscious effort to introduce gay characters into its shows, network president Nina Tassler has confirmed. Last year, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation criticised the Eye network for its lack of gay characters, while it was recently reported that CBS had rejected adverts from a gay dating site. "Any show can have gay characters," Tassler told The Hollywood Reporter. "We're conscious of that as well. This year one of our pilots, Quinn-tuplets, has gay characters. Any series can. "This year we made a concerted effort to suggest to producers, if not in pilot, then as we go forward." Tassler added: "Diversity has always been a priority. It is a conscious choice across the board to pay attention and to add diversity any way we can." -------------------- On entirely different note, remember that Jack, in Three's Company, had to pretend to be gay in order to live with Chrissy and Janet? That was weird now that I think back on it--how he acted the caricature of gay when the landlord came by--very swish etc... Oh, and I couldn't watch Soap (conservative Catholic upbringing as well) b/c of it's adult content -- remember Billy Crystal played a gay man named Jodie? Those are two of my earliest memories regarding TV and this issue.