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Gays in media

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The media has historically underrepresented and stereotyped gay and lesbian characters. One of the first TV shows to depict a gay character was All in the Family in 1971, but it was a non-regular role. Soap in 1977 was among the earliest to have a regular gay character. In the 1980s, the AIDS epidemic led to greater stigma around gay men and portrayals often focused on AIDS. It wasn't until the 1990s that more nuanced gay characters began to appear regularly on TV and in films like Philadelphia, though stereotypes still persisted. While representation has improved in the 2000s, true representation of the gay community remains a work in progress.

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How the Media has not given gays and lesbians fair representation
Gay characters on TV 1971 All in the Family becomes the 1st Television show to depict an gay character (The Gay character was not a regular character on the show )
Soap: 1977-1981 Billy Crystal’s Character Jodie Dallas was an openly gay character who was a regular on the program. Dallas wanted a sex change but later on in the series the character had a fling with a woman and had a child
Soap Soap discussed homosexuality many times using comedy to lighten the mood and to clear up misconceptions in a humorous way.
AIDS Epidemic and View of Homosexuals  Starting in the early 1980’s with the AIDS epidemic, there was a stigma around gay men.  News reports warned that Gay men were more likely to have the disease and it was often considered a “Gay Disease”
Network TV takes a pass Brothers Premieres on Showtime in 1984 after major networks ABC and NBC turned it down because the show focused on homosexuality. The show dealt with AIDS, coming out, and other issues focused on the gay community The show was a hit on Showtime and lasted 5 season and 115 episodes
Thirtysomething (ABC)  In 1989 an episode showed two gay men in bed together  After it aired the show lost over $1 million in advertising and the rerun was not shown again that summer with the rest of the reruns After these losses, showing any sort of gay affection was not seen on shows because the stakes were so high
Philadelphia (1993)  The movie was about a gay AIDS victim who sues his former employer for wrongful termination after his diagnosis of AIDS  One of the first mainstream movies about homosexuality, homophobia, and HIV/AIDS  Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for best actor for his role
Gays on TV in the 90’s  In the 90’s more gay characters appeared on TV and in movies.  Most TV characters didn’t last long on television shows  When Gay characters had recurring roles on shows they were seen as stereotypical and flamboyant  Reality TV shows starting using gay cast members regularly.
2000-Present  The 2000’s was a decade in which gay and lesbian characters were portrayed in a more normal way.  More shows dealt with serious issues in the gay community but most of these shows were on premium cable channels  More shows now are dealing with the gay community in some way. Glee and Skins deals with gay teens on a regular basis  Gays still struggle to see a true interpretation and a true percentage of gays in movies and in TV

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Gays in media

  • 1. How the Media has not given gays and lesbians fair representation
  • 2. Gay characters on TV 1971 All in the Family becomes the 1st Television show to depict an gay character (The Gay character was not a regular character on the show )
  • 3. Soap: 1977-1981 Billy Crystal’s Character Jodie Dallas was an openly gay character who was a regular on the program. Dallas wanted a sex change but later on in the series the character had a fling with a woman and had a child
  • 4. Soap Soap discussed homosexuality many times using comedy to lighten the mood and to clear up misconceptions in a humorous way.
  • 5. AIDS Epidemic and View of Homosexuals  Starting in the early 1980’s with the AIDS epidemic, there was a stigma around gay men.  News reports warned that Gay men were more likely to have the disease and it was often considered a “Gay Disease”
  • 6. Network TV takes a pass Brothers Premieres on Showtime in 1984 after major networks ABC and NBC turned it down because the show focused on homosexuality. The show dealt with AIDS, coming out, and other issues focused on the gay community The show was a hit on Showtime and lasted 5 season and 115 episodes
  • 7. Thirtysomething (ABC)  In 1989 an episode showed two gay men in bed together  After it aired the show lost over $1 million in advertising and the rerun was not shown again that summer with the rest of the reruns After these losses, showing any sort of gay affection was not seen on shows because the stakes were so high
  • 8. Philadelphia (1993)  The movie was about a gay AIDS victim who sues his former employer for wrongful termination after his diagnosis of AIDS  One of the first mainstream movies about homosexuality, homophobia, and HIV/AIDS  Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for best actor for his role
  • 9. Gays on TV in the 90’s  In the 90’s more gay characters appeared on TV and in movies.  Most TV characters didn’t last long on television shows  When Gay characters had recurring roles on shows they were seen as stereotypical and flamboyant  Reality TV shows starting using gay cast members regularly.
  • 10. 2000-Present  The 2000’s was a decade in which gay and lesbian characters were portrayed in a more normal way.  More shows dealt with serious issues in the gay community but most of these shows were on premium cable channels  More shows now are dealing with the gay community in some way. Glee and Skins deals with gay teens on a regular basis  Gays still struggle to see a true interpretation and a true percentage of gays in movies and in TV