Gays Being example essay topic

451 words
Groups inadequately represented by the Media One group I feel is inadequately presented by the media is gays. Only recently have gays been allowed to be portrayed on television programmes without huge uproar from the public and in the papers the fact that someone is gay is often used against them. When George Michael was found in L. A participating in gay intercourse there was scandal all over the newspapers. Would there have been as much media hype if he had been found with a woman? In television people often describe there being a 'token' black character and this is coming apparent with gays.

Gays are never portrayed as just being normal people or people that actually do have problems aside from being gay. In Eastenders elderly Derick is the 'token' gay and he is shown as being persecuted and accused of 'being involved' with Martin Fowler, why can't he just have a normal friendship with Martin and have a problem like he can't afford a pint at the Vic like his counterparts such as Jim? Why are gays always portrayed as people who have to go through life as a struggle? Whenever there are gay or lesbian affairs or people in programmes they are usually discriminated against within the programme or they are stereotype gays. Will and Grace is a programme, which breaks the barriers because half of the main characters are gay, although again they have the stereotype gay guy who likes to paint his nails and scream a lot, gay men are often comedic acts in films. In Bad Girls there are a lot of lesbians but most are portrayed as butch 'may as well be men' women, not just regular women.

In the papers stars such as Steven G ately and Will Young keep being gay a secret because they think it will effect their popularity and when they do 'come out' there are articles plastered all over the tabloids. Why should gay celebrities have to broadcast the sexuality, you don't have articles about Robbie Williams with the headline 'Williams is straight! !' so why should it be any different with gays? Although the media is still biased towards gays being gay is now becoming more accepted although it is still treated differently, the BBC think that they are getting with the times by showing lesbian drama 'Tipping The Velvet'. They may be. But the fact is that many people only watched it for shock factor, so in conclusion until the public stop getting shocked by gays then the media will carry on with its derisory representation of them.

Katie Rowley.