Table of Contents
For many years people across the world have been concerned with the issue of homosexuality. Therefore, many scholars have been involved in researching, compiling, and presenting information that surrounds the issue of gay men. While many biologists and proponents of sexual identity have distanced homosexuality from genetics, many have found a close association of the subject. The question of homosexuality has bothered many people resulting in a variety of views.
Notably, understanding the concept of being gay is important because it provides society with the knowledge on why some men choose that kind of direction in life. Besides, by propagating such knowledge society is able to understand who gays are and the part they play. Due to the weight attached to the subject, there have been different versions that explain how culture produces gay men. The paper seeks to explore and analyze various TV shows to understand how they depict gay men.
Gay Identities and Heterosexism or Homophobia
Gay is a term that is commonly used to refer to a homosexual person. In order to have a clear understanding of the subject, there is a need to consider what homosexuality really is. Homosexuality refers to the sexual attraction, romantic attraction or sexual behaviors between members of the same sex. Notably, gay identity is based on various attractions and sexually related behaviors that are shown by members of the same sex. Researchers on the subject do not know the cause of homosexuality or determinants of an individual’s sexual orientation (Tatchell, 2006).
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What many have done is to provide theories or models that explain the cause of homosexuality or heterosexuality. Some of the existing theories revolve around genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences as the major causes of homosexuality. For instance, some women are said to have high concentration of male hormones. As a result, they will end up being attracted to the female friends and get into an intimate relationship hence homosexuality. Others have asked questions like is homosexuality cultural or genetic?
As long as the cause is concerned, nature of heterosexuality is not known and no one is able to provide a concrete answer to whether homosexuality is cultural or genetic. In my perception, being gay has no connection with genes. Most individuals develop a behavior from their peers. Some watch movies or phonographic sites and they learn the practice from the shows. Thus, a community with a culture of homosexuality will rise more gay people and deemed acceptable.
Invention of Heterosexuality
The available literatures suggest that heterosexuality is as old procreation as lust although it was not well known until the 19th century and 20th century when the term started assuming a lot of use in medical practice. The concept of heterosexuality is considered as a historical way of imagining, perceiving, and categorizing the social relations of the sexes (Katz, 2007). Katz notes that this concept is not ancient at all rather it is an idea that has seen the light with the modern invention.
To that end, it can be said that the behavior of heterosexuality is not much about genetics but environmental influences. It is noted that some men show similar character traits to those of women and they tend to attract their peers who end up falling for them. While the documentation of heterosexuality is not well founded, many theories have been propagated on the subject and produced evidence-based research and reasons for the concept of heterosexuality.
Heterosexuality began in the U.S. as the publicly unsanctioned affair among members of the respective class and various groups of individuals. However, with liberation, freedom, and rights among people, heterosexuality picked up as a sanctioned and dominant culture by the early 19th century. In the mid-19th century, people started to preach the gospel of gay men and lesbianism arguing that it was their right to show affection to the people they love irrespective of gender (Katz, 2007).
This is a snapshot of the invention of heterosexuality and homosexuality in the path of trying to understand the cultural production of gay people in society. Thus, in the same manner heterosexuality was campaigned for, homosexuals have also taken over to support each other. Gay people have also taken it on their own to fight for their rights like people in heterosexual relationships. Therefore, the culture of homosexuality has promoted increase of gay individuals in society. Thus, the youth in society will end up embracing the act.
It is important to consider the concept of heterosexism as it plays a crucial role in how people of different sexual orientation view others. Essentially, heterosexism entails a system of bias, attitudes, and discrimination in favor of a given sexual identity. Many researchers have investigated the matter and found out that many people form negative mindsets about individuals who are known to practice homosexuality (Jannini, Blanchard, Camperio‐Ciani, & Bancroft, 2010). As a result, people who practice opposite-sex sexuality find themselves more superior than others and this has led to social prejudice and stereotypes. Heterosexism can result in discrimination as many people think that heterosexual behaviors are the only acceptable kind of relationships and norm in society.
Heterosexism ranks people who practice homosexual relationships and sexuality as second-class citizens with regard to social equality, legal and civil rights, and economic opportunities. Homophobia and heterosexism are correlated and they try to bring out the kind of minds, bias, stereotypes and prejudice gay men can experience. Homosexuals have been greatly criticized in society. Besides, they are perceived to be evil hence discrimination. This can clearly be seen in religion, especially Catholicism/Christianism, where gay practices are seen as “acts of evil” and that these individuals are in desperate need to be freed from their sins, treating such identities as illnesses that need to be cured.
TV Shows Analysis on Gay Men
Notably, many to legalize the practice have criticized the concept of gay men or homosexuality in society despite the efforts. Many TV shows have been used to depict or bring to the understanding of the people the concept of gay and transgender characters and most of them seem to have broken grounds with the act and the characters as well. The question of transgender, bisexual, gay or queer characters on television shows have been used to depict some form of mental, psychological, and social problems. The milestone along with the considerable number of stereotypes and prejudice has been well depicted in television shows. Those who view these TV shows are able to note some funny traits placed on these individuals.
Of paramount importance to note is that, gay men are depicted as people who have lost grounds with the expectations and norms of society although their values and beliefs are upheld in most parts of the United States. In some cases, they are seen as a disgrace to society. If we could revisit the idea of culture, it refers to the propagation or adoption of values, beliefs, and norms that are acceptable and recommended for every individual in society.
Therefore, if the traits of gay people are acceptable to society, it will be embraced and no one will be blamed. Having a close examination of the trajectory of television, movies and shows involving gay men, we note that all the moments portrayed are meant to provide important knowledge for the gay community to continue with their lives as part of L.G.B.T.Q. as well as helping society to have an understanding of the lives of gay people.
From the movie, “That Certain Summer” readers or researchers are able to find out that a divorced father hides his lover from his teenage son in Lamont Johnson’s movie. This marks the first depiction of gay people on television. It is understood that, due to the stereotype or prejudice the subject attracts, many people tend to lie to hold a particular position. In the 1977 series “Soap”, the viewers are able to note that Billy Crystal plays Jodie Dallas (Shattuck, 2017). It is noted that Billy Crystal is a gay man who is having an affair with a famous quarterback and contemplates of a gender-reassignment surgery.
In the NBC movie “An Early Frost” by John Erman, Aidan Quinn returns home with the sad news that he has been practicing homosexuality and that he is HIV positive, which sets the stage for feature films like that of Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia” (Shattuck, 2017). In the review of this movie, it is noted that the concept of homosexuality in men can lead to serious social problems as well as personal problems among them like life-threatening diseases and stigmatization.
People who have such homosexuality traits are likely to suffer many problems as opposed to ordinary individuals who are going as per or practicing the norms and values of the society (Shattuck, 2017). In another instance, in the MTV reality show “The Real World”, it is noted that first HIV-positive cast member is used to create awareness among people about the illness and commits to his boyfriend during their commitment ceremony on a TV show.
In the show “Will and Grace”, the women characters and two gay men collaborate to make at least 16 wins and 83 Emmy nominations for the show “Meet the Press” (Shattuck, 2017). Of paramount importance to understand is that, the kind of life portrayed by gay men is something that goes beyond the understanding of an ordinary person and so according to President Biden, the show “Meet the Press” probably did enough to provide information and knowledge to Americans than anything that nobody has done so far.
By attracting many views implies how people feel about the subject and what should be done to avoid falling into such valleys. In another instance, the show “Queer as Folk” brings the drama and breaks new ground about the women and gay men in which an HIV positive character is portrayed (Shattuck, 2017). In a nutshell, this show is used to depict how heterosexism and homophobia have taken route in the United States with the aim of dealing blow to those individuals who practice homosexuality. The culture in the United States barely supports homosexuality.
In the show “Modern Family”, featuring Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet, a gay couple and their adopted daughter highlight a number of issues in society (Shattuck, 2017). The adopted daughter is added to be part of the large family (IGN, 2010). The show integrates inclusion and comedy in delivering and portraying the role played by gay men in society. Jesse Ferguson is depicted as the provider in the family and Eric as the house helper/housewife, a thing that seems to trouble men. In addition, adopting a daughter to be part of the family puts to the minds of the people that gay men cannot lead a complete life hence the idea of heterosexism and homophobia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, culture depicts gay men negatively. The cultural production in most reviewed TV shows and movies show that gay men are associated with negative and devastating effects. By understanding, the concept of gay is important because it provides society with the knowledge on why some men choose that kind of direction in life. Besides, by propagating such knowledge, society is able to understand who gays are and the part they play. Consequently, creating awareness amongst individuals has been important since people get to understand each other.
Additionally, each individual is free to stay in a society that does not criticize his or her way of life. I believe TV shows have been used to create some sense in the culture regarding gay people, their character and reasons they choose a certain way of life. I believe society will soon be ready to embrace all these different types of identities in the near future in a more positive light. Cultural productions may still lead ways to find stigma in these identities in some way or another to appease to the view of the general public, but I think they are slowly eliminating those boundaries by having true representations of LGBTQ more often in this modern society to get out of stereotypes and stigma.
