Newflash 10/1

Thursday, Reuters printed an article titled “U.S. Television Getting More Gay Friendly,” which explained how the percentage of LGBT characters in popular cable and network programs has dramatically increased in the past few seasons. According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), 58 regular characters on network television programs this season identify as LGBT, with 23 of these characters on major network channels and 35 of these characters on mainstream cable networks like HBO and Showtime. GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios credits the increase of LGBT characters on television to "the shift in American culture toward greater awareness and understanding of our community." I think that the prevalence of LGBT characters on television programs today demonstrates the public’s growing acceptance of those who do not identify as heterosexual, a sexual orientation that for centuries has been viewed as the “norm.” However, I think that television programs can still do more to include LGBT characters from all walks of life regardless of class, age, race, or gender (Serjeant).

According to the article, viewers have given their stamp of approval to shows portraying LGBT characters. Network hits such as "Modern Family" and "Glee" are not only Emmy winners, but attract some of the most impressive numbers of viewership. "Modern Family" portrays a gay couple raising an adopted baby while "Glee" includes a gay male singer (and fan favorite) as well as a musical prodigy who is proud of her two gay fathers (Serjeant).

Mainstream cable networks are also embracing LGBT characters. The show that takes the prize for including the most LGBT regular characters on television is HBO’s hit "True Blood." Six recurring characters are LGBT, representing a significant portion of the 35 LGBT roles appearing on mainstream cable networks. Furthermore, the number of recurring roles on these networks has increased from just 25 LGBT identified characters last year. This impressive jump in numbers shows mainstream network’s concerted effort to include more and more LGBT characters as well as the public’s acceptance of such characters. Since viewers of these shows must subscribe to the channels, it shows they must be willing and ready to pay money to see shows with LGBT characters (Serjeant).

Furthermore, there are plenty of other shows that portray viewer-accepted LGBT characters. According to Reuters, the CBS drama "The Good Wife" includes a bisexual investigator, the CW hit "Hellcats" portrays a lesbian cheerleader, and NBC’s "Outlaw" features a bisexual lawyer. In addition, the mainstream cable network Showtime has shows featuring seven characters that are gay, lesbian or bisexual. Large networks such as these and many others must trust that viewers will not only watch their shows, but also accept each character portrayed, regardless of sexual orientation (Serjeant).

It is clear that the increase in the number of roles of LGBT identified characters is a sign of the times. Barrios agrees, “The recent critical and commercial success of shows like 'Modern Family' and 'Glee' clearly indicate that mainstream audiences embrace gay characters and want to see well-crafted stories about our lives” (Serjeant). Viewers are not only watching shows featuring LGBT characters, but are looking for more story lines based around these characters, as they have proven to be fan favorites.

More importantly, the LGBT characters portrayed in these television hits are not all the stereotypical gay characters. While Susan Douglas laments about the false stereotypes of women and homosexuals featured on popular television programs, it appears that these typecast roles have been varied and redefined (Douglas). While Kurt on "Glee" clearly fits the stereotypical gay man with his high sense of fashion and flamboyant personality, other characters like Emily from "Pretty Little Liars" and Callie from "Grey’s Anatomy" do not fit the stereotypical butch that most people relate to lesbians. Susan Douglas would probably applaud the media’s progression away from typecasting roles of the typical gay and lesbian characters on television programs.

However, it seems that despite the progress television has made in creating roles for those who identify as LGBT, networks have a ways to go before they include every perspective. According to the article, GLAAD laments that there have yet to be any black LGBT characters portrayed on network television shows (Serjeant). Audre Lorde, a black, female, lesbian feminist would too agree that television must work to include everyone in the struggle for equality. Lorde argues in Sister Outsider that movements, more specifically the feminist movement, require all voices to be heard and all perspectives to be considered. She says that within the feminist movement we must consider race, age, class and sexual orientation in order to be as inclusive as possible. If we do not include all these different groups of people in our discussion of equality, we will leave out important voices and immediately categorize these people as “abnormal” or “other” (Lorde).

Susan Douglas would also agree with Lourde and GLAAD that television must portray all types of LGBT characters of various races, classes, ages and genders. Moreover, Douglas would say that leaving these people out of television creates a false impression of the world in which we live. Just as portraying a large number of women on television as high-powered working females creates a false impression that females are not oppressed and the struggle for equality is over, leaving out LGBT characters from programs creates a false impression that all homosexuals and transsexuals are white (Douglas).

Despite the shortcomings of TV networks, I still believe that it is a triumph for the LGBT community that channels want to portray gay, lesbian and transsexual characters in their programs and that the public wants to see them. Perhaps one day all different voices will be heard. Until then, I will be satisfied watching Kurt belt out a high C on "Glee" and Calvin throw a touchdown in a flag football game on "Greek."

Douglas, Susan. Enlightened Sexism. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2010.
Lorde, Audrey. "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master's House." Sister Outsider. The Crossing Press Feminist Series, 1994.
Serjeant, Jill. "U.S. television getting more gay friendly." Reuters. 29 Sept. 2010. <http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68S0GS20100929>.