Greetings from Flyover Country Thoughts from the American Midwest

Gay Stereotypes in Film, Television

Movie poster for Sacha Baron Cohen's new movie Brüno, in theaters July 10, 2009.

The New York Times has an article today, A Plea for Tolerance in Tight Shorts. Or Not. regarding the upcoming Sacha Baron Cohen movie Brüno. Having never seen Borat or, admittedly, any of Mr. Baron Cohen’s prior works I’m not quite sure what to expect. But after reading the controversy that has sprung up around it, I’m definitely making a point to see it now.

Brüno, R-rated of course, stars Mr. Baron Cohen as a “flamboyantly gay fashion journalist from Austria” named, obviously, Brüno. Given the sexuality of the title character, gay groups are throwing in their opinion on the film with mixed reviews depending on who you speak to. The film’s “well-meaning attempt at satire is problematic in many places and outright offensive in others,” says Rashad Robinson of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in the NYT article. On the other side, editor of Out magazine Aaron Hicklin plans to put Mr. Baron Cohen on the cover of the magazine. Again, telling the New York Times: “The movie does something hugely important, which is showing that people’s attitudes can turn on a dime when they realize you’re gay. The multiplex crowd wouldn’t normally sit down for a two-hour lecture on homophobia, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen. I’m excited about that.”

I’m inclined to agree more with Mr. Hicklin than GLAAD’s statement. Satire is often meant to be offensive to some, while drop-dead hilarious to others. I’d like to think that the gay rights movement has come far enough that we are able to laugh at our own expense. Certainly some movie goers are going to take the movie as acknowledging their homophobia or are going to enjoy the movie more because of it, and perhaps the film isn’t going to change any minds about homophobia. Now, I haven’t seen the movie yet (it doesn’t come out, so-to-speak, until July), but I’m confident it won’t be a breakthrough in positive portrayal of gays. But the character is so intentionally over-the-top that it would be hard to peg it as representing even most flamboyant gay men. We’ve had “flamboyant gay stereotypes” on television for years (Sean Hayes’ character Jack on Will and Grace or Michael Urie’s Mark St. James on Ugly Betty, for example), and some of those shows are awarded for portrayal of gay characters. Compared to ten, or even five, years ago there are many more gay characters on television (both positive and otherwise).

Kevin (L, Matthew Rhys) and Scotty (R, Luke Macfarlane) Walker. From the "Brothers & Sisters" episode "Glass Houses". (Image from IMDb.)

ABC Family has two shows that I know of (Greek and Secret Life of the American Teenager) with a major or minor gay character in shows that target a younger demographic. The new FOX show Glee features a gay show choir stereotype, and a glee club diva with two dads. From the pilot episode (which I encourage everyone to watch, if only for the productions of Amy Winehouse’s Rehab), the issue isn’t central to the show. It’s just another facet to the characters. Yet there was some negative reaction to the character of Kurt for being a stereotype (and being a minor character in the pilot), while ignoring the other big cliché of the show: the jock with a softer side (like Sears). I’ve also seen some negativity towards the ABC show Brothers & Sisters (between Ugly Betty, Brothers & Sisters, and the ABC Family offerings, ABC is one of the more “gay-friendly” networks today) centered around the fact that gay characters Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) don’t get enough on-air time.

There have been plenty of gay-centric television in recent years, on premium networks (Queer as Folk, The L Word, etc.) and broadcast (Will and Grace), and now it seems that gay characters are moving out being either minor recurring roles or part of an “ensemble of gay characters” to being just characters. Their gayness doesn’t define them as a character. The Kevin and Scotty couple could just as easily be a heterosexual couple and many of their plots don’t necessarily hinge on their sexuality; instead they are your normal couple who just happens to be gay. With more states allowing gay marriage, positive portrayal of gay characters where their sexuality isn’t a key issue can only be a good thing.