First, lest there be any doubt, let me say that I believe in equal rights for all people. With that said, where do they find some of our fellow gay men and women for interviews on television?
As you probably know, there was just another court ruling (this one in California) that said withholding marriage from gay couples is unconstitutional. I haven't read about the ruling in any detail yet, so I don't know if it was decided under the California or US Constitution, but I believe it was a lower court, so I won't get too excited yet. Besides, that's not the point of this post.
What brings me to this post is the collection of folks they were interviewing on the morning news programs. I just have to ask, where do they find these people? We know many gay men and women who act like any other men and women--in fact, most do. They look like other men and women, and some are even gorgeous, but we don't seem to see the gorgeous--or even normal--ones on TV.
Every time there's a news story about gay issues, the people they interview either are flaming queens or the oddest looking people I've seen in some time. Yes, they count as much as anyone else, but I see each of these stories as a chance to show our fellow Americans that we're just like them. Instead, time and again, we see these rather unusual folks. Why? It makes me think there's a big conspiracy against us.
Well, actually, there is, but I thought much of the entertainment industry and the supposedly liberal news media were on our side. Okay, so what's the deal?
5 comments:
As a former journalism teacher - including television news - I feel I am qualified to make the following statement: Journalism in this country has failed us. It isn't worth a warm bucket of spit.
........... You know, they must have interviewed at least 30+ people.. and picked up the cilips that they feel are 'presentable' to the audience. Which is, basically, what audience wants to see.
In this case, when STRAIGHT people thought of a gay person... The first thing that pops up is usually the sterotypical Flammerz (me!) ---
*sigh*
what can I say? The media is f**ked up.
I agree with bruce and wayne..
If they showed gay men and women who act like straight men and women, people might get confused and start thinking that homos are just like everyone else!
And that can't happen!
I think this phenomenon is fairly balanced, though. I mean, whenever they need a conservative person on, they always find Ann Coulter, and she's positively terrifying to look at. Turn away, turn away!
If you're looking for a fair representation of the gay community, the media is probably the wrong place to start. After all, they're the ones that started the stereotypes in the first place.
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