It’s said that the representation of queer people on television has been revolutionised over the past ten or twenty years. But has it? While it’s true that there are more openly queer people on TV than ever before, how has their presence in otherwise straight storylines changed the way queer stories are told? Are we seeing more queer experience on television — or are we just getting gay stories for straight allies?
Such a great article!!! the happiest season: throughout the movie Kirsten Steward pretends that her girlfriend's problem is she hasn't come out while the problem is that she is a vile human being??
Thank you for bringing clarity to the increasing ambivalence if not alienation I’ve been feeling with shows billed as “queer.” Either most are, as you argue, vehicles to make straight people feel more...interesti...inclusive, or I’ve long grown out of needing media representation of queerness to feel complete and in community as I did as a teenager. Queer Eye feels comfortable on relying on the conceit that “we queens have skills and we can help you so much that you’ll cry in front of a camera, so don’t bash us.” What about the homosexuals who could benefit from a stranger coming over to organize their junk drawers? Where’s that show? PS: The series “Looking” had promise and had believable moments, but I forced myself to watch to the end. The film finale, however (and strangely), was excellent.
Wonderful article. Straight guy perspective (for what it’s worth): In Happiest Season, I understand that she wasn’t out but the girlfriend flirting with the guy on multiple occasions in front of Kristen Stewart’s character was just toxic and cruel. The movie has great actors, a great plot, and the dialogue is hilarious. But the toxicity made the happy ending unbelievable.
Such a great article!!! the happiest season: throughout the movie Kirsten Steward pretends that her girlfriend's problem is she hasn't come out while the problem is that she is a vile human being??
Thank you for bringing clarity to the increasing ambivalence if not alienation I’ve been feeling with shows billed as “queer.” Either most are, as you argue, vehicles to make straight people feel more...interesti...inclusive, or I’ve long grown out of needing media representation of queerness to feel complete and in community as I did as a teenager. Queer Eye feels comfortable on relying on the conceit that “we queens have skills and we can help you so much that you’ll cry in front of a camera, so don’t bash us.” What about the homosexuals who could benefit from a stranger coming over to organize their junk drawers? Where’s that show? PS: The series “Looking” had promise and had believable moments, but I forced myself to watch to the end. The film finale, however (and strangely), was excellent.
Wonderful article. Straight guy perspective (for what it’s worth): In Happiest Season, I understand that she wasn’t out but the girlfriend flirting with the guy on multiple occasions in front of Kristen Stewart’s character was just toxic and cruel. The movie has great actors, a great plot, and the dialogue is hilarious. But the toxicity made the happy ending unbelievable.