The Presence of Homosexual Characters - Essay Example

Ophaphan Wangmontri Cunningham Assignment 4 Word count: 1992 words April 13, 2008 The Presence of Homosexual Characters The presence of homosexual characters in the media has increased abruptly in recent years and it has had a profound effect on the viewing public. Since the mid 1990s, people have started to accept gays in the media as well as finding those characters to be a new source of humor and interest. The 1996 marriage of Susan and Carol on Friends was arguably the first television sitcom to feature a homosexual in the lead role, which was followed by the coming out episode on Ellen a year later (Mohr 3). Will and Grace, which began airing in 1998, was among the first sitcoms that succeeded in having a homosexual character in a gay themed show. Similar sitcoms, such as Brothers and Sisters followed in the wake of the success of Will and Grace. Today, there is a liberal offering of sitcoms that feature gays in lead roles, have gay themes, or present gay minor characters. Because of the number of shows available, the portrayal of the gay lifestyle reflects the diversity we might see in real life. There are lesbians that would defy recognition if we met them on the street, and there are outrageous gay men whose sexual preference can be detected from across a parking lot. While mainstream America is sometimes shocked by the outrageous portrayals of some of these characters, they have benefited the viewers by exposing them to a valid world of authentic diversity and reduced discrimination against gays. The portrayal of homosexual characters on television is positive because it gradually makes people accept homosexuality. Prior to mid 1990s, homosexuals were rarely accepted in the society, and kept as a 'dirty little secret'. Homosexuality at that time was considered deviant behavior and not as an acceptable norm. America was uncomfortable with gays and uncomfortable with itself. Gays and lesbians were rarely portrayed in the media, and even as late as 1987 the New York Times would not print the word "gay" on their newspaper because homosexuals were not accepted in American society (Mohr 3). However, by 2004 the New York Times began printing wedding announcements for gay marriages ceremonies that took place in the United States (Mohr 3). During this period, the media had been passively introducing gay characters and homosexual themes to the television viewers. The trend started during the 1970s in an ABC sitcom called Soap with a gay character named Billy Crystal. Twenty years later, in 1996, people were becoming more accepting of homosexuality and seeing their characters on television. Though there were many sitcoms that had supporting characters who were homosexuals, NBC's 1998 sitcom, Will and Grace had successfully included a main character who is homosexual in a show that had homosexuality as a main theme. Homosexuality had been gradually introduced over a period of 3 decades, and the public was ready for the character, Will. He was a conservative, well mannered male that did not stereotype the homosexual lifestyle. NBC was able to pull the audience a little farther into the gay world by introducing Will's friend Jack, who was more outgoing and substantially more physically demonstrative. Jack was able to exhibit mannerisms and say lines that the public was not yet ready to see in a lead role. However, this highly successful sitcom was instrumental in introducing a gay couple in a gay setting on a regular basis. The viewers benefited from the gradual exposure to homosexuality as a realistic, alternative lifestyle. Homosexuality has become less monstrous to the cultural mainstream and instead has become a cultural curiosity. As a result, homosexuals can be open about themselves to society and as well as feel normal about themselves. The increasing acceptance of homosexuals in the television sitcom has helped to dispel 'gay panic', an unwarranted and exaggerated fear of homosexuality. Gay panic has been the cause of violence towards gays, as well as a legal defense for assaults on gays. The presence of gay panic, or homophobia, intimidates gays and results in a fear of revealing their sexual identity. In addition, it had been used as a legal defense in the 1998 murder trial of a man that murdered a University of Wyoming student named Matthew Sheppard. The defense used gay panic as a reason for killing this student and helped the murderer receive a reduced sentence. The gay and lesbian civil rights movement, which could provoke gay panic, gained momentum at the same time that television began to more prominently portray gays (Catapano 175). The introduction of gays on television has helped defuse and invalidate the justification for gay panic. After this case, judges became more aware of the gay panic excuse and have become reluctant to allow the gay panic defense (Lindenberger). The proliferation of homosexuality on television has helped to reduce the fear of gays and removed any justification for homophobia. The television viewer benefits most when they are treated to a situation that is portrayed with reality and compassion. In the sitcom Brothers and Sisters, ABC introduced a main character named Kevin, a gay man. Unlike many other gay characters on television, Kevin is a character who does not conform to the stereotype of gay. Kevin is a lawyer who has always been struggling in growing up because he is different from everybody else in his family. He does not feel comfortable in revealing himself as gay in public. He acts like a normal person. He does not act girly like many other gay characters do in other sitcoms. When Kevin is at work, he wears suits like other lawyers. His office does not have anything that is fashionable, or pink objects which are usually gay and a girl's favorite color. It is just a simple plain office. Even though Kevin is gay, he still acts like a conservative man and still holds masculine qualities in front of others. Kevin is likeable because he is real. In one of the episodes, Kevin goes on a date with Scotty, another gay character who is his client. While they are having dinner, Scotty kisses him in public and Kevin is upset by that. After going through an argument with Scotty, Kevin overcomes his fear and kisses Scotty in front of his house and his neighbor. Kevin has demonstrated that it is OK to be gay. The reality of Kevin's role, which does not exaggerate his feminine qualities, benefits the viewer by demonstrating that homosexuality is a sexual preference and does not dictate a lifestyle. One of the stereotypes of gay that Kevin dispels is that gays are more feminine and are often good at fashion, food, and decorating. Therefore, gay characters in many sitcoms are always involved in the fashion or food industry. Kevin's character is different from those characters in that "he did not come into this world loving clothes or musical theater" (Kevin). He is a lawyer, which is a job that has many masculine characteristics and qualities, which proves that not all gays are always acting girly or good at fashion or interior decorating. Furthermore, this shows that gay men are like everybody else. Their interests, hobbies and personalities are similar to others. By showing two homosexual characters kissing each other on television, the television network illustrates that viewers are ready to see a gay's intimate relationship on television, which is another step towards the equal rights of gays and lesbians. The positive side of gays on television is the resulting openness to diversity by the dispelling of stereotypes and myths. The ultimate goal of portraying gay characters on television is to make society a place where gays can be open and live without the fear of discrimination. Kevin's portrayal on television is advantageous to viewers, and gays, because he is one of the homosexual characters who do not follow the stereotypes of gay. His character disarms the public's fear of homosexuality, and many gays that model their own life on his role will be less fearful of being exposed. When Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian in her lead role on the show Ellen, the benefits were enormous and immediate. After the show aired, "DeGeneres received many letters from gays and lesbians who said "The Puppy Episode" helped them come out to family and friends, and was especially moved by the letters from gay teenagers who had thought of suicide before watching the show". (Spadoni). Clearly, the tasteful portrayal of gays on television has benefited not only the viewers, but gays as well. While the portrayal of homosexuals on television has been largely successful, critics will argue that it exposes children and society to a deviant and dangerous lifestyle. Since the success of Will and Grace, television networks have tried to have homosexual themes or homosexual characters in their primetime sitcoms merely to increase ratings. Queer Eyes for the Straight Guy is one of those sitcoms. This reality show is trying to premise on, and plays with, the stereotypes that gay men are superior in matters of fashion, style, personal grooming, interior design, and culture. In each episode, a team of five gay men, also known as the 'Fab Five', perform a makeover on a person, usually a straight man revamping his wardrobe, redecorating his home, and offering advice on grooming, lifestyle, and food. Furthermore, those gay men would act exaggeratedly, as well as using many hand gestures while they are talking, which is one of the stereotypes of being gay. In one of the episodes, the five gay men help a newlywed bring back the romance to his marriage. Since the time the couple has gotten married, they forgot the feeling of love and tenderness due to their rigorous work and study schedule. Ron, a husband who is currently in medical school, never helps his wife, Jodi, in their housework. His duties are to wash dishes and take out the trash, but he never does either, nor does he cook for Jodi. Being a working woman, Jodi soon became tired of being a wife. As a result, the 'Fab Five' plans for a special dinner for them and teaches Ron to cook a dinner. They also recommended sex therapy to the couple to enhance their love life. With all their works, the 'Fab Five' succeeded in helping the couple ("Queer Eye").This reality show illustrates that gay men can be more sentimental, feminine, and sensitive than straight men. They may understand women more since they are more feminine. The 'Fab Five' understand and know what Jodi needs for their life, a husband who is understanding and helping out with the housework. This unrealistic and exaggerated stereotype can breed fear in the mind of the viewer that homosexuality is so deviant as to be socially unacceptable. Yet, no one was killed, injured, or maimed in the show. In addition, it reflects some of the more extreme lifestyles that actually exist in the American gay community. Rather than fearing its deviance, the viewer can celebrate its great diversity. In conclusion, the television viewer benefits greatly from the accurate portrayal of gays on television. Television has been largely responsible for introducing America to homosexuality on a gradual basis for over 30 years. In addition, it has been able to dispel the myths and remove many of the stereotypes that have led to fear of, and discrimination against, gays. The honest portrayals, such as Kevin and Ellen, have made it possible for mainstream gays to be more open about their sexual preference and has eliminated the justification for gay panic and homophobia. While extreme lifestyles may threaten some people, it should be remembered that it is a personal preference and not an act of violence. America is a greatly diverse country and television is our town hall. Television has introduced the viewing public to a lifestyle that they may not gain anywhere else. The television sitcom has made America more comfortable with the gay lifestyle, and made America more comfortable with itself. Works Cited Catapano, Peter. [Rev. of] "Gay TV and Straight America. " Journal of Popular Culture 40.1 (2007): 172-174. Lindenberger, Michael. "They Asked For It." The Advocate 12 Apr. 2005. 29 Apr. 2008 . Mohr, Richard D. The Long Arc of Justice: Lesbian and Gay Marriage, Equality, and Rights. New York: Columbia University Press, 2005. "Queer Eye." Bravo TV. 2007. Bravo Company. 29 Apr. 2008 . Spadoni, Mike. "Ellen." Television Heaven. July 2003. Television Heaven. 29 Apr. 2008 . Read More