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Kizzume
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Joined: 31 Dec 1969
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 Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:01 am Post subject: Why are gay characters in movies and tv shows always comedy? |
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Brokeback Mountain is about the only movie I know of where the characters "gayness" wasn't turned into the comic relief.
Quite frankly, in media (tv and movies), gays haven't really been treated that differently from the late 60's early 70's. Always comic relief, always something to make fun of, always something to laugh at. Sure, we laugh at different aspects about the stereotypes than we used to--the stereotypes have changed--of course those aspects are going to be different.
Where are the gay role models? Is this why so many gay men still turn to strong women from earlier periods as role models? Why aren't we allowed to have role models? Will we always be doomed to create little stereotypes--a bear, a leatherman, a pretty-boy--or will we eventually be able to be viewed as just normal people?
This might be rambling, but oh well.
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debateman
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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Location: New Mexico
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:35 am Post subject: Re: Why are gay characters in movies and tv shows always com |
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| Kizzume wrote: | Brokeback Mountain is about the only movie I know of where the characters "gayness" wasn't turned into the comic relief.
Quite frankly, in media (tv and movies), gays haven't really been treated that differently from the late 60's early 70's. Always comic relief, always something to make fun of, always something to laugh at. Sure, we laugh at different aspects about the stereotypes than we used to--the stereotypes have changed--of course those aspects are going to be different.
Where are the gay role models? Is this why so many gay men still turn to strong women from earlier periods as role models? Why aren't we allowed to have role models? Will we always be doomed to create little stereotypes--a bear, a leatherman, a pretty-boy--or will we eventually be able to be viewed as just normal people?
This might be rambling, but oh well. |
But 'straightness' if you will has been made a punchline too. Vince Vaughn in "The Breakup" or whatever it was with Jennifer Aniston... That are ooodles and ooodles of other examples of such a joke.
As far as gay role models, there aren't any but there aren't any straight ones either.
stereotypes to stay? Maybe. We've been keeping some and ridding ourselves of others... "Soccer-mom" "MILF" and so on.... I don't think that these issues are just gay issues yet we seem to bring them down to that level. Maybe that's why everyone else does as well. *shrug*
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Kizzume
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:10 am Post subject: Re: Why are gay characters in movies and tv shows always com |
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| debateman wrote: | | Kizzume wrote: | Brokeback Mountain is about the only movie I know of where the characters "gayness" wasn't turned into the comic relief.
Quite frankly, in media (tv and movies), gays haven't really been treated that differently from the late 60's early 70's. Always comic relief, always something to make fun of, always something to laugh at. Sure, we laugh at different aspects about the stereotypes than we used to--the stereotypes have changed--of course those aspects are going to be different.
Where are the gay role models? Is this why so many gay men still turn to strong women from earlier periods as role models? Why aren't we allowed to have role models? Will we always be doomed to create little stereotypes--a bear, a leatherman, a pretty-boy--or will we eventually be able to be viewed as just normal people?
This might be rambling, but oh well. |
But 'straightness' if you will has been made a punchline too. Vince Vaughn in "The Breakup" or whatever it was with Jennifer Aniston... That are ooodles and ooodles of other examples of such a joke.
As far as gay role models, there aren't any but there aren't any straight ones either.
stereotypes to stay? Maybe. We've been keeping some and ridding ourselves of others... "Soccer-mom" "MILF" and so on.... I don't think that these issues are just gay issues yet we seem to bring them down to that level. Maybe that's why everyone else does as well. *shrug* |
There are plenty of straight role models out there.
The hero of any movie is virtually always a straight guy, usually white. If he isn't straight, he's someone to make jokes out of. Brokeback Mountain is about the only movie I know of that, well, broke that mold.
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Segep
Joined: 10 Nov 2007
Posts: 222
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Why are gay characters in movies and tv shows always com |
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| Kizzume wrote: | Brokeback Mountain is about the only movie I know of where the characters "gayness" wasn't turned into the comic relief.
Quite frankly, in media (tv and movies), gays haven't really been treated that differently from the late 60's early 70's. Always comic relief, always something to make fun of, always something to laugh at. Sure, we laugh at different aspects about the stereotypes than we used to--the stereotypes have changed--of course those aspects are going to be different.
Where are the gay role models? Is this why so many gay men still turn to strong women from earlier periods as role models? Why aren't we allowed to have role models? Will we always be doomed to create little stereotypes--a bear, a leatherman, a pretty-boy--or will we eventually be able to be viewed as just normal people?
This might be rambling, but oh well. |
You ask some good questions. Honestly, the best thing that you and I (and everyone in this situation) can do is to live openly and unapologetically. I don't know about you, but I intend to be the role model I never had. 
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debateman
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:36 am Post subject: |
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Screw them kids... I didn't have a role model and I turned out fine.
Be your own role model. Do what you want, what makes you happy. Having a role model isn't all it's cracked up to be. There is much to be said for getting out there and doing yourself. inspiration genesis.
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Kizzume
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:38 am Post subject: |
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I definitely agree that we don't "need" role models, I also agree that WE can be our role models--it's just that it would be nice if media offered some too. 
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tristanrobin
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
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Location: New Haven, CT USA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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Well, there are 'normal' gay characters - but you have to look to gay cinema, not mainstream cinema...just as African Americans need to look to film that is geared to them and not mainstream cinema (it's still rare for black characters to be anything other than fools or criminals).
There is a whole body of work out there devoted to the gay audience. Like all film, some is good - some isn't. But you will find that the gay characters in these movies are treated with more respect - and reality - than mainstream cinema.
Actually, though they weren't jokes - and it was a really good tragic film - I didn't find much redeeming about the gay characters in "Brokeback Mountain" ... face it, the options being gay presented in that film were either get gay bashed to death or live a lonely solitary empty life. I really believe the only reason these characters resonated so strongly with the gay audience was because they were so damned good looking.
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Kizzume
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the forum, by the way
Brokeback Mountain may have portrayed gay characters the way you said, but a lonely solitary life is quite a far cry from what most movies portray gay people as.
You're right about the gay cinema to a degree--but even the movies I've seen of those types still seem to make sure that they re-enforce stereotypes.
And yes, the characters were good looking.
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tristanrobin
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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Well, LOL, to an extent the stereotype is rather valid. I know gay people that fit every single stereotype...sometimes I fear I fit one as well LOL.
Are all gay people like that? Of course not. On the other hand - most gay people aren't interesting enough to tell stories about! LOL Face it - we want fabulous people in our stories - kitchen sink dramas went out of vogue because notbody is really interested in sitting through hours of "real life" - it's boring! LOL
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debateman
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tristanrobin
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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LOL
nice to see you, too, debateman 
We are being amused.
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Kizzume
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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| tristanrobin wrote: | Well, LOL, to an extent the stereotype is rather valid. I know gay people that fit every single stereotype...sometimes I fear I fit one as well LOL.
Are all gay people like that? Of course not. On the other hand - most gay people aren't interesting enough to tell stories about! LOL Face it - we want fabulous people in our stories - kitchen sink dramas went out of vogue because notbody is really interested in sitting through hours of "real life" - it's boring! LOL |
Well, there's definitely truth to that.
Okay--how about this:
When's the last time you saw a movie that had a standard hero kind of character in it who just also happened to be gay? Dumbeldore is about the only thing I can think of off the top of my head.
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tristanrobin
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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You mean like an action hero?
I can't think of one.
Though, in every gay film, when somebody overcomes prejudice and bigotry, I consider them a hero.
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debateman
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Kizzume wrote: | | tristanrobin wrote: | Well, LOL, to an extent the stereotype is rather valid. I know gay people that fit every single stereotype...sometimes I fear I fit one as well LOL.
Are all gay people like that? Of course not. On the other hand - most gay people aren't interesting enough to tell stories about! LOL Face it - we want fabulous people in our stories - kitchen sink dramas went out of vogue because notbody is really interested in sitting through hours of "real life" - it's boring! LOL |
Well, there's definitely truth to that.
Okay--how about this:
When's the last time you saw a movie that had a standard hero kind of character in it who just also happened to be gay? Dumbeldore is about the only thing I can think of off the top of my head. |
But we don't want gay heroes...
Honestly speaking, the community turns them into mouthpieces instead of allowing them to do their thing.
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Kizzume
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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| debateman wrote: |
But we don't want gay heroes...
Honestly speaking, the community turns them into mouthpieces instead of allowing them to do their thing. |
I don't know what you mean.
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