The representation of homosexuals and heterosexuals in the media is adjusting daily and more people are beginning to understand! Anyone living in modern society today wants to be normal, and the media is adapting to peoples choices of being homosexual. Homosexuals are on the rise and more people are “coming out” daily, they are starting to live lives as the people in the normal society, like starting their own families and breaking this tradition that men and woman shall be together only. Back in the day between the 70’s-90’s, it was a lot more risky for a homosexual to come out and tell their family that they are gay, people in society were blindsided to the idea and didn’t want to take part in it. The media didn’t exactly help either, Disney taught young girls it was only allowed princesses (females) and princes (males) should get married and live happily ever after, making it a lot harder on a child who is confused with their sexuality to grow up around children their age, considering their mind is programmed that way. Media brainwashed little boys into playing with hot wheels, big trucks, and house hold tools such as hammers and screw drives, making them think they had to do all these masculine things. If a boy wanted a doll for Christmas, he was automatically a homosexual in the eyes of the people around him because it wasn’t a toy a boy was supposed to have. Now, in 2011 Toronto has Pride parades allowing all types of homosexuals to come out and express themselves without feeling uncomfortable or harassed, they have campaigns, and new TV shows that makes homosexuals feel it’s alright to be themselves and people don’t have to discriminate against them.
One of the TV shows that is a great show that makes everyone feel normal, and happy in society is “Modern Family”, it is a comedy series that involves three types of family types. The families are all connected, two of which are heterosexual families and one is homosexual. The family that is homosexual consists of two men, Mitchell and Cameron, and their adopted daughter Lily. Mitchell is a pretty low keyed guy, who is very uptight and not ashamed of his sexuality at all, he usually gives speeches to those who are “homophobic”, and is embarrassed of Cameron’s flamboyance. Cameron is a very bubbly, outgoing guy that loves to watch sports. The media portrayed this homosexual family in a good manner in my opinion; they minimized he stereotypes for homosexuals. Although one of the males is very flamboyant the other tends to be more masculine, and they also have a daughter to raise that has two fathers instead of the typical mother, father roles.
Questions:
I. What are some other homosexual friendly shows do you know of?
II. Do you think Toronto can help out homosexuals more? If so what are some ways?
III. What are some ways you think the media can help out with stereotypes of homosexuals?
IV. Do you think the show Modern Family portrays homosexuals in a negative or positive way?
As time has passed by I am starting to see more and more shows that are showing gays as these non-stereotypical homosexuals. I have seen many reality shows that show a wide variety of different homosexuals. An example of this is Real World San Diego. Two of the roommates living in the house a homosexual and are 2 completely different people, 1 being male and the other female. They also aired an episode about pride week and showed hundreds of people in the military that are homosexual. This is very un-stereotypical and is opening peoples minds because it is showing them in a new light.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Toronto is doing a lot to help homosexuals already. They have pride week just like many other cities and are taking a stand on hate directed towards homosexuals. An example of a city doing the complete opposite is Cornwall in England. If you were able to see Esther's post and watch the video you will have an idea of what I am talking about. Toronto is doing a lot now to help people accept homosexuals but there is still a lot more they/we can do and media can help us achieve this a lot faster than without it.
Media has already taken a stand on homosexual stereotyping with shows like Modern Family and Real World: San Diego by showing how real homosexuals are. They are also showing how they are completely different from the stereotypes that we hear about all the time. The only thing I think media can do to help with this is to keep proving that these stereotypes are wrong and get people to be accepting.
One show I watch on a regular basis is “One Girl 5 Gays”; I think it’s a great show that allows people to see a variety of homosexuals with completely different personalities. I also think it helps people to become more accepting about homosexuality and it reveals the constant struggles homosexuals deal with. A lot of popular shows like Glee, Modern Family, Degrassi, Pretty Little Liars, etc. are including gay characters.
ReplyDeleteI think Toronto can help homosexuals more by dealing with the issues they struggle with more seriously. For example being bullied because of your sexuality should have serious consequences, and I think every student has the right to feel comfortable and protected at school. Creating more programs dealing with homosexual issues can help decrease the suicide rate amongst homosexuals. I also believe it’s important to educate people who are heterosexual about homosexuality, so they can enhance their understanding about it and be more exceptive. I agree, with Sumayah having festivals like “Pride” does bring a wide variety of people together and shows how diverse Toronto is. It helps the L.G.B.T. community to embrace their sexuality and not hide it.
The media can help with the stereotypes of homosexuals by presenting a variety of different types of homosexuals instead of your typical flamboyant man or masculine woman. I also think it would be beneficial to see more openly successful homosexuals like Ellen in the media. In my opinion the show “Modern Family” portrays homosexuals in a positive way because it illustrates what a lot of homosexual married couples may go through like adoption and raising kids. It shows the struggles they face as gay parents, and like most couples the issues they face with each other. I think this show is realistic and not only homosexual parents can relate to it but heterosexual couples as well.
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ReplyDeleteI. What are some other homosexual friendly shows do you know of?
ReplyDeleteOther than "Modern Family" , i can only think of Will and Grace but they don't show it as openly like they do in Modern Family.
II. Do you think Toronto can help out homosexuals more? If so what are some ways?
I think what Toronto is doing is the best they can doright now.I can't think of anything else that could help homosexuals more , because i believe in society we are very open towards homosexuals compare to before and as a society we have accepted it.
III. What are some ways you think the media can help out with stereotypes of homosexuals?
Some way's the media can help out with stereotypes of homosexuals is to advertise more homosexual wedding's rather than heterosexual weddings. I think that could help out the stereotypes majorly.
IV. Do you think the show Modern Family portrays homosexuals in a negative or positive way?
I think they portray them in a positive way some sort. I haven't really watched a full episode but i have seen clips and i don not see anything negative.
I. What are some other homosexual friendly shows do you know of?
ReplyDeleteLike Karin , the only show I can think of is Will and Grace
II. Do you think Toronto can help out homosexuals more? If so what are some ways?
I think Toronto is already doing a lot to help out the L.G.B.T community , Toronto has one of the biggest gay pride parade out there and also like Sumayah said there is also pride week. Maybe what each of us as individuals can do is be more accepting towards homosexuals.
III. What are some ways you think the media can help out with stereotypes of homosexuals?
The media can help out with stereotypes dealing with homosexuals is by portraying them has normal people and by not giving them a negative image. And also like Sefra said by "creating more programs dealing with homosexual issues" this will help them relate and let them know that they are not the only ones out there. This will also help people be open minded towards homosexuals.
IV. Do you think the show Modern Family portrays homosexuals in a negative or positive way?
I think Modern Family portrays homosexuals in a positive way, they are shown has a normal family just living their regular life.
1. The only show I can think of is based around the dominant discourse of homosexuality is "1 girl and 5 gays". There are many shows that include gay characters including Degrassi, Skins and Gossip Girl.
ReplyDelete2. I agree with Sumayah and Kiran. Toronto is already doing a lot to help out homosexuals. Unlike America, Canada supports gay marriage and Toronto is a very urban and multicultural city so I believe that people have become a little more accepting of homosexuals as well. Toronto raises the awareness of L.G.B.T.s who are scared because society can be cruel and sometimes not accepting due to the "abnormality" of homosexuality. The program "It gets better" helps many to feel more safe and secure about themselves.
3. I think that the media is already slowly,but surely, doing its part to help the stereotype of homosexuality. I agree with Sumayah, the series, The Real World usually includes at least one L.G.B.T. which helps to show the audience how similar homosexuals are to those who are not. It helps to break down the idea that gays are abnormal.
4.From what I have seen of homosexuals in Modern Family I think that they portray them in a positive way. They show how their is no real difference between a family with homosexual or heterosexual parents. Besides, study finds that there is a zero percent rate of lesbian parents that are abusive to their children... food for thought.
I never watched Will and Grace, Do you guys think that Toronto is doing too much or is Toronto helping out homosexuals moderately? I think Toronto has been the main city in North America that is helping homosexuals feel its alright to "come out" there is a wide variety of homosexuals that live in Toronto, and they all feel comfortable in their own skin. Toronto airs 1 Girl 5 Gays and supports it 100% and majority of the cast members are from different countries and ethnic backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteI. What are some other homosexual friendly shows do you know of?
ReplyDeleteII. Do you think Toronto can help out homosexuals more? If so what are some ways?
III. What are some ways you think the media can help out with stereotypes of homosexuals?
IV. Do you think the show Modern Family portrays homosexuals in a negative or positive way?
The only homosexual friendly show that I know of and used to enjoy watching was Will and Grace. They portrayed the character Will as a normal guy who if it wasn't told on the show I would think would be as straight as any guy I know
I think Toronto has helped the homosexuals to their best ability as it now has allowed homosexual marriages and I believe that this was the highest goal they could achieve and show now live a normal life with their partner as everyone else and be treated as fair as everyone, no more and no less.
I think the only way the media can help out the stereotypes of homosexual people is that they should stop showing homosexual models as the image of the guy and muscular homosexual females as the majority are just normal people that work and look as individuals in society.
I think that this show portrays homosexuals how they should be portrayed as normal families who have normal problems and discussions but at the same time enjoy their time together as a family. Modern Family shows the problems faced with homosexual couples adopting children and raising them to the best of their ability which shows the media that they have their best interest in the children same as other parents.
To be honest it is hard to come up with shows that are homosexual friendly because of the amount that are not friendly. Media is just not a good place for homosexuals to be portrayed.
ReplyDeleteI think Toronto is doing its best for homosexuals. They have the gay parade every year and they even have their own community. I think the place to start is with TV shows and inappropriate movies like Borat or Bruno.
I think they can make them seem more realistic and more of the way they really are. Not all homosexual’s guys dress the way the media dresses them and they don’t act the way they act in movies. I think media is a mix up and jus makes things worse for them.
I am not very familiar with the show but I believe it’s considered on of the better shows for homosexuals to be on. This is one of the friendly shows for them.