The article ‘Gay men deserve three dimensional role models, not TV’s stereotypes’ (McMillan) highlights the role of media in depicting gays in the society. The author notes that how the media portrays gay men in the society affects the perception the general populace has towards them. Characterization of gay persons in television programs can lead to positive or negative stereotyping of their personality. McMillan notes that characterizing gays in a one dimensional way does not give a reflection of their true personality. The exposure of positive stereotypes affects the self-esteem of gay people (McMillan).
This article was published by The Guardian on Thursday, February 11th 2016 at 11:58am Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT). The author Andrew McMillan is also a gay person. McMillan gives an example of a television program that initiated him into the gay world. The characterization of Will and Grace in ‘No more Mr. Nice Gay’ left him feeling that he either had to be rich or promiscuous to lead a better life. The latter seemed an achievable goal. And by making either decision he still had to be thin. Additionally, the author notes that there are television programs like Glee which portray gay life in a progressive and diverse manner. He mentions a detective show that characterizes a suspect as a secretive person. It turns out the suspect’s secret is being gay. His crimes were motivated by his urge to keep things secretive. The picture the detective paints gay persons as secretive and evil. This stereotyping depicts gay persons to be concealing their real identity by being secretive (McMillan).
McMillan cites that heterosexual characters are portrayed differently in whichever role they play in a storyline. However, the roles gay people play does not go beyond their sexuality. It is this kind of positive stereotyping that makes the society have a negative view on gays. McMillan observes that white gay men like him make it easier for other races of gay people to be happy. White gay people are free to express themselves on television and do not hide their identity. On the other hand, black gay people shy away from the limelight due to discrimination issues. Being a black person and additionally a gay person draws unwarranted discrimination. White gay people are therefore more represented on television shows than their black counterparts. Black gay people have to come out from hiding and stop concealing their identity (McMillan).
McMillan notes one television show that portrays gay people beyond their sexuality. ‘Looking in America’ show considers the plight of gay people. It represents gay persons as people having different careers, vast interactions with family and friends, and different body types. However, their characterization still revolves around their homosexuality. The article is not neutral as it uses terms like “discriminatory”, “persecuted” and “imprisoned” in relation to gay people. The article centers on negative treatment of gay persons. McMillan mentions blood donation ban that is discriminates against gay people (McMillan).
Feminist Media Theory intends to challenge stereotypes, promote individuality and create equality. The article centers around stereotyping of gay people in the media especially on television shows. McMillan challenges such stereotypes and urges the media to portray gay people in a three dimensional manner, not just their sexuality. The article also challenges the media to give equal treatment to gay persons. McMillan highlights the fact that it is difficult for gay people to make it in Hollywood (McMillan).
Works Cited
McMillan, Andrew. "Gay Men Deserve Three-Dimensional Role Models, Not TV's Stereotypes; US Shows Such As Looking Offer A More Diverse Portrayal Of Gay Life, But We Have A Long Way To Go Before LGBT Characters Stop Being Defined By Their Sexuality". The Guardian 2016: 1-2. Web.
