Law and Order: SVU with Special Guest Kathy Griffin as lesbian

[SassyLeo]

Originally Posted by Dylan

I don't like when straights play queers

Didn't like it in 'Milk', didn't like it on 'Will and Grace', didn't like it on that lesbian Showtime show, didn't like it on that gay Showtime show, and it appears, I won't like it here either.

There's plenty of queers to go around (oh mah lord, even into movies and television!)

It's insulting and privileged and homophobic


I'm Also Bothered By Law And Order SVU...But That's Another Story,
Dylan...crabby about the whole thing

Bummer you couldn't appreciate how fucking amazing Sean Penn was in Milk.

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by SassyLeo

Bummer you couldn't appreciate how fucking amazing Sean Penn was in Milk.

I thought he did a great job

However, I don't like when straights play queer. There's plenty of queers who can act...yet here's a straight guy winning an academy award for playing queer. It's insulting to queers. All of the major actors in that movie were straight, and that's bothersome to me.


Dylan

[Write14u]

Hmmm, I tend to get my L&O: SVU on re-runs, but I might have to check this one out live. I looooovvveee Mariska Hargitay. The only person I adore more on the TV screen is Melina Kanakaredes, who plays Stella on CSI:NY. (mmmm).

And just from that bit...wow, they're really setting it up as freaking Olivia out because her reaction doesn't seem typical of her character. (At least what it's showing in that little bit).

Dylan, what don't you like about this show? (Not the specific episode?)

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by Write14u

Dylan, what don't you like about this show? (Not the specific episode?)

I'm a huge Law & Order fan, but I think L&OSVU perpetuates violence against women by desensitizing people to rape and violence against women. It's quite bothersome to me.


Dylan

[BullDog]

Originally Posted by Dylan

I'm a huge Law & Order fan, but I think L&OSVU perpetuates violence against women by desensitizing people to rape and violence against women. It's quite bothersome to me.


Dylan

I think a lot of television and movies desensitize people to rape and violence against women myself, and it bothers me too. I rarely watch tv and don't watch a lot of violent movies either so my opinion is taken from that perspective.

It doesn't bother me if straight actors play queer parts if the part itself and story line is a good one. If the role/story line is perpetuating stereotypes then having a queer actor really isn't going to do much good.

[Semantics]

Originally Posted by T D

I don't think I like the way that clip ended, but interesting for sure.

There's also a lesbian on Desperate Housewives now. She's an ex stripper/exotic dancer/lap dancer. I found this especially interesting because I've known a number of lesbians who were or are into this same profession. I've never quite understood how that happens, but I know for sure that it does.
We really are in every walk of life

Well, I don't think that many women, queer or straight, go into that profession to find potential dates so I'm not sure what sexuality has to do with it.

[Mister Bent]

I read this whole thread hoping to find out what might be at all compelling in this as a topic.

Maybe we could just talk some more about Meredith Baxter Birney.

[Write14u]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

I read this whole thread hoping to find out what might be at all compelling in this as a topic.

Maybe we could just talk some more about Meredith Baxter Birney.

Oh god... let's give the dude his money back (and all 10 minutes it took to flip through this). If you aren't interested...find another thread. It's not rocket science.

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by Write14u

Oh god... let's give the dude his money back (and all 10 minutes it took to flip through this). If you aren't interested...find another thread. It's not rocket science.

O look, it's the cops.

Rocket science, yuk yuk.

[Rufusboi]

Originally Posted by Dylan

I thought he did a great job

However, I don't like when straights play queer. There's plenty of queers who can act...yet here's a straight guy winning an academy award for playing queer. It's insulting to queers. All of the major actors in that movie were straight, and that's bothersome to me.


Dylan

So what happens when queers play straights? David Hyde Pierce played a straight guy for years. Should he give up that part to a straight guy? Portia de Rossi plays straight parts? Should she refuse these? Jodie Foster? Vin Diesel? Neil Patrick Harris? Should they all refuse straight parts because they are gay?

I don't have a problem with straight people playing gay parts. It wasn't that long ago that straight people were scared to take gay roles because they were afraid of their careers. Famous straight actors taking on high profile gay parts, I think, helps all queers all over the world. Actors are no longer afraid to take on this role. Middle America gets their eyes opened a bit. You don't think Tom Hanks playing that role in Philadelphia helped us all lurch forward politically a few steps? And many of these actors use their time, money and position to support gay rights. I am in no way offended when any straight actor takes a queer role.

Consider this - there might be a lot of die hard Sean Penn fans who went to see Milk because he was in it. They came of the movies with an education about Milk and what he did. THe movie made Milk a person and it showed the long hard road of gay rights activism. Tom Hanks humanized AIDS. People saw that film. Saw Hanks in that film. And it changed many viewpoints about AIDS and the queer community.


Rufus

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by Rufusboi

So what happens when queers play straights? David Hyde Pierce played a straight guy for years. Should he give up that part to a straight guy? Portia de Rossi plays straight parts? Should she refuse these? Jodie Foster? Vin Diesel? Neil Patrick Harris? Should they all refuse straight parts because they are gay?

I don't have a problem with straight people playing gay parts. It wasn't that long ago that straight people were scared to take gay roles because they were afraid of their careers. Famous straight actors taking on high profile gay parts, I think, helps all queers all over the world. Actors are no longer afraid to take on this role. Middle America gets their eyes opened a bit. You don't think Tom Hanks playing that role in Philadelphia helped us all lurch forward politically a few steps? And many of these actors use their time, money and position to support gay rights. I am in no way offended when any straight actor takes a queer role.


Rufus

The power structure and oppression dynamics are not the same when queers play straight.


Dylan

[Softly]

Originally Posted by Rufusboi

So what happens when queers play straights? David Hyde Pierce played a straight guy for years. Should he give up that part to a straight guy? Portia de Rossi plays straight parts? Should she refuse these? Jodie Foster? Vin Diesel? Neil Patrick Harris? Should they all refuse straight parts because they are gay?

Since when is Vin Diesel gay?

really?

[Softly]

Originally Posted by Cyclopea

Well here ya go enjoy
YouTube- Lady Kisses: That's Gay

Thanks I watched this.
at WORK.

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

Did this show air yet?

wednesday night it comes on

[NJFemmie]

Thank you! Our TV died (yes, it was sad) ... so I need to make sure we're upstairs for this one. I am curious to see how it plays out.

[Queerasfck]

It's about money really and how much the straight world will "buy" into the gay world. High ratings equal more money What do we as the community get back? I would love to support queer business and arts as much as possible and do. Problem is the choices are few. Then I just get the feeling we're being exploited especially when it comes to accurate representation in the media. The thing about a show like the L Word was that it was mostly crap, in writing and acting. Some queer had an idea for a show (which coulda been a really good idea) and Showtime decided they could make money off of it ("hot women having sex with each other, it sells"). Yes, there were a few queers in real life on the show as someone else already mentioned. Also the show's creator Ilene Chaiken is a lesbian and two of the directors are out lesbians, Rose Troche and Angela Robinson come to mind. It didn't represent any lesbians I know, and not realistic about it's protrayals of everyday people, homosexual, lesbian, queer or otherwise most of the time. I mean who goes out to breakfast with their friends everyday before work and then goes clubbing several nights during the work week?? Really no different than Queer as Folk. At times unbelievable about more serious topics as well....
The SVU episode clips NBC shows is all about shock value in hopes to gain viewership as the rating slip for that played out show. It's just about how far they can push things to get you to watch. It's too bad because I do like the cast.
Milk was directed by Gus Van Sant an out gay man. I don't think of the money went back into the gay community. But wouldn't it be great if performances like those in the movie Milk or Brokeback Mountain could really change people's ideas about certain stereotypes. For the most part I don't think they do. My sister who loves, loves James Franco and has seen everything James Franco has ever done wouldn't even see Milk because she thought it was a "downer". Probably the majority of the hetro US population don't want to see regular stories about queers. I think we as a queer people do more by living our lives outwardly when we can on a daily basis. We're really just the same as everybody except we don't have rights.

[SassyLeo]

Originally Posted by EzeeTiger

*snip*
The thing about a show like the L Word was that it was mostly crap, in writing and acting. Some queer had an idea for a show (which coulda been a really good idea) and Showtime decided they could make money off of it ("hot women having sex with each other, it sells"). Yes, there were a few queers in real life on the show as someone else already mentioned. Also the show's creator Ilene Chaiken is a lesbian and two of the directors are out lesbians, Rose Troche and Angela Robinson come to mind. It didn't represent any lesbians I know, and not realistic about it's protrayals of everyday people, homosexual, lesbian, queer or otherwise most of the time. I mean who goes out to breakfast with their friends everyday before work and then goes clubbing several nights during the work week?? Really no different than Queer as Folk. At times unbelievable about more serious topics as well....
*snip*

So I've been thinking more about this today.

Ever since the L Word aired, I have had so many mixed feelings about it.

1. Yay, the Queers have a show! Yay, it is all about Lesbians! Yay, it is on a big time cable network! Yay, it has a couple of well known actors!

2. Boo, it is not on primetime TV. Boo, 99% of the actors are straight women. Boo, the characters are totally not "real life" type Lesbians.

So basically they have perpetuated the totally stereotypical and also unrealistic Lesbian world. But at least it is on TV, right? (I'm being sort of glib).

What is worse, having dramatic unrealistic visibility or having visibility at all?

[Queerasfck]

Originally Posted by SassyLeo

So I've been thinking more about this today.

Ever since the L Word aired, I have had so many mixed feelings about it.

1. Yay, the Queers have a show! Yay, it is all about Lesbians! Yay, it is on a big time cable network! Yay, it has a couple of well known actors!

2. Boo, it is not on primetime TV. Boo, 99% of the actors are straight women. Boo, the characters are totally not "real life" type Lesbians.

So basically they have perpetuated the totally stereotypical and also unrealistic Lesbian world. But at least it is on TV, right? (I'm being sort of glib).

What is worse, having dramatic unrealistic visibility or having visibility at all?

Totally agree with what you've posted here SassyLeo. I think queer representation in the media is really important. I have mixed feelings about straights playing gay. There were no queers on tv when I was growning up. Occasionally if trans person or queer was shown they were freaks. No doubt there have been some positive things on tv and the movies recently but still there are a lot of stereotypes constantly thrown in. By reading this thread I see that tonight's episode of SVU was dissappointing to many viewers.