When NBC aired “Will and Grace” in September 1998, many people found joy in the portrayal of homosexuals in the mainstream media. Yet, others were disappointed that the characters perpetuated a stereotype, showing homosexuals as flamboyant and frivolous.
Rose A. Sheppard, a theatre sophomore and member of Spectrum Alliance, a group supporting queer issues and well-being on campus, thinks the show was one part of the current gay media trend heading a renaissance of American ideology on open sexuality.
“These times relate to the sexual revolution in the 20s and another explosion in the 60s and 70s,” Sheppard said.
Robert Quinilty, an economics junior, also sees the change of media tactics reflected on sociological changes.
“The media is a reference of society,” he said. “Society shapes media and the media shapes society.”
As an example of the shifting attitude, the summer of 2003 brought forth a new wave in American television ideals, and garnered a new audience of television viewers.
Shows like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “Boy Meets Boy” bridged gaps with other homosexuality-geared programs like “Queer as Folk,” “Will and Grace” and “Ellen,” but included heterosexuals in integral roles.
“Queer Eye” as a catalyst
“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” which initially aired on Bravo, began with the premise that five homosexual men can improve a heterosexual man, using their knowledge of food, fashion, decor, grooming and culture.
Laura Wilkinson, a communication studies junior and a frequent viewer, has noticed the impact the program has had on society.
“There’s an increase of straight men caring about themselves,” Wilkinson said. “They’re finally realizing they need to pluck that unibrow. Their girlfriends are trying to get them to look clean and care about appearance. I have straight friends who look at fashion magazines.”
Simply called “Queer Eye,” the show differs in its ability to link homosexual men and heterosexual men. Sheppard believes the bonding at the end of every episode inspires members of society to find similar connections outside the confines of sexuality.
“The less afraid we get of sexuality, the less we conform to gender identity,” Sheppard said. “It’s inevitable, so many people are bi[sexual] in the world.”
Gay stereotypes
While the original label “gay” is a synonym of superficial, frivolous and playful, gays, like any group, cannot be bound to those identifiers.
“Queer Eye” displays five totally distinct personalities, but similar to minority and gender-based programming, there is always going to be a characteristic people will associate with all homosexuals.
“The characters are flamboyant, very ‘over-the-top,'” Wilkinson said. “They’re more a general stereotype, but that’s not just for homosexuals. Most characters are over-exaggerated.”
Jason Avant, a biological sciences senior, believes the media finds a way to use characters as a representative for an entire group.
“There is some danger these people can stereotype the queer community,” Avant said. “You can’t find a character on ‘Will and Grace’ that isn’t a stereotype. You’re limited on a sitcom. It’s like turning a book into a movie.”
Deanna Mattos, a mass communication sophomore, does not find fault in the characters portrayed in the show.
“The characters in ‘Will and Grace’ represent some people,” Mattos said. “I don’t see anything wrong with their depiction of gays.”
Wilkinson, through her experiences with friends and her favorite television shows, understands the “Fab Five” sends a message to many people that homosexuals are the stylish elite.
“Their culture is based on appearance and looking their best,” Wilkinson says. “Not that they wear girl’s clothing, but they pay attention to their hair, body hair is a big thing… looking fashionable. There are people that do fit into stereotypes, wearing tight clothes, even makeup. But that’s true of every kind of person. There are exceptions to everything.”
Many homosexuals enjoy having friends and others looking to them for fashon and grooming tips, especially with the current social shift toward “metrosexuality.”
However, it is more important to prove that, as with all stereotypes, there are many who do not fall into such narrow marginalization.
Wilkinson has a homosexual friend who does not display the quintessential characteristics the media attaches to homosexuality.
“He doesn’t know anything about products,” Wilkinson said. “He never says ‘fabulous,’ he’s into horror movies and he played a lot of sports in high school.”
Gay marriage
Recently, many same-sex partners officially tied the knot in San Francisco, stirring the controversial debate.
Couples rushed to be a part of the wedding spree before the high courts could attempt to cease all same-sex marriages.
Rosie O’Donnell, a “foremother” in advocating gay and lesbian rights, served again as a active fighter, marrying her longtime girlfriend on Feb. 26. The additional media coverage she generated encouraged even more couples to make the pilgrimage to San Francisco.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger avoided comment, yet President Bush has backed a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriages.
Sheppard, a lesbian, believes gays and lesbians should be entitled to marry, but not for religious justification.
“We’re trying to conform to the heteronomative idea of unity, a judeo-christian idea,” Sheppard said. “But I support it; it’s tradition. I think it’s great.”
Many, like Quinilty don’t have a specific position on the matter.
“I’m in the middle, I’m not for or against it,” Quinilty said. “I don’t see any reason for them not to marry.”
Civil rights
The argument about legalizing gay marriage is just one facet of gay rights.
Mattos agrees with Sheppard’s point that our society today mirrors that of the 60s.
“It’s like African-Americans in the 60s,” Mattos explained. “It’s the same problem. You have to respect that this is a democracy. You don’t have to like it, but you have to respect it. I was brought up to believe [homosexuality] is not morally right as far as my religion, but we have to respect their rights.”
The civil rights movement is usually considered a keystone in African-Americans gaining legal rights, but the movement encourages equal rights for all, including other minorities, women and homosexuals.
“We’ve come as a society where we should rise above race, class, gender and sexuality,” Sheppard said.
While the media has setbacks in terms of presenting stereotypes, the media is also a primary factor in promoting equality on humanistic levels. It is the easiest way to bring different personalities into American homes.
“‘Family Ties’ and ‘The Cosby Show’ brought forth ideas current in American society that needed to be touched on,” Avant said.
Avant believes current shows like “Queer Eye” and “Will and Grace” could eventually have the same effect as those older shows, which promoted social change and acceptance.