Narrow representation

4.1 Narrow representation

“They are still not quite represented in a broad base.” – Matt

All participants agree that the gay male representation in TV series is still not diversified. They think it is narrow at both a demographic level and non-demographic features (such as personality and behaviour).

First, some of my participants realise that the jobs that those gay characters do in the TV series are limited in range. “They’re either hairdressers, or actors, or journalists, or luvvies, or… they’re never just bloke down the road, who actually works for the council.” Matt said

this before he gave me a conclusion of his general impression of the gay male representation in the TV series. “And there are no policemen” Cain added after Matt’s saying. In fact “Work for the council” and “policemen” are just the kind of “enforcers or administrators” jobs in the dominant social group which was mentioned in Clark’s model (1969, cited in Fitzgerald, 2010) as a sign of the “Regulation” stage.

In addition, a few of the participants were calling for more professional people in the portrayals of gay men in TV shows. Sam wondered if “instead of putting gay nurses into the serials, can we have some gay doctors?” Actually, this was a personal reflection as he is a general practitioner himself. Overall, participants consider that the jobs given to gay male characters in the TV fictional serials are still likely to follow the stereotypes which are In addition, a few of the participants were calling for more professional people in the portrayals of gay men in TV shows. Sam wondered if “instead of putting gay nurses into the serials, can we have some gay doctors?” Actually, this was a personal reflection as he is a general practitioner himself. Overall, participants consider that the jobs given to gay male characters in the TV fictional serials are still likely to follow the stereotypes which are

he thought it was very good that recently there were lots of famous British sportspeople who had come out as gay in real life, but sadly, this was not being portrayed in TV series.

Second, with regard to other demographic features, they did not think this was a good representation either. For example, Eddy concluded that the representation was a very small representation of white gay Britain. Eddy said: “When they display gay people [in TV series], they’re always white, skinny, thin, they are never mixed race, from different ethnic backgrounds”. Matt had come to the same conclusion as Eddy, and also commented on the lack of other ethnicities. Moreover, Eddy pointed out that none of these programmes featured som eone who had a weight issue or a “bear” issue. This was relevant to him because he belongs to the cub bear community of gay society, and there was no portrayal of any aspect of that. Chris noticed that the characters presented are almost always members of the younger gay community, and those middle-aged professionals and older members of the LGBT community are not represented.

Third, in terms of the non-demographic features, the participants also feel that those gay characters in TV are often of a very similar type. Richard offered three categories into which he felt that all portrayed gay characters tend to be placed: “the extremely camp one, the really slutty one, the emotionally damaged or mental illness one”. For each category he Third, in terms of the non-demographic features, the participants also feel that those gay characters in TV are often of a very similar type. Richard offered three categories into which he felt that all portrayed gay characters tend to be placed: “the extremely camp one, the really slutty one, the emotionally damaged or mental illness one”. For each category he

he thought those characters are even more unitary. In his view, all gay men are portrayed as being effeminate, obsessed with fashion, obsessed with looks, obsessed with weight and appearance, and being good friends with girls. He argued that in fact most gay people are not like these kinds of stereotypical media portrayals.

Matt also felt that gay characters are very rarely in a position of power and that they are always made out t o be vulnerable. “They never seem to be a CEO of a company, or if they are, they are usually being blackmailed because they are gay and in that position of power” said Matt. He thought this is underlining the notion that there is still something wrong with being gay, and that there is always a sad aspect to any gay character.

However, they all did acknowledge that the number of gay characters had increased dramatically from 30 or 40 years ago when it was rare to see gay people portrayed on TV. They were also aware that the current representation is definitely broader than it used to

be, where before gay people were invariably the butt of any joke.

Above all, none of the participants seem satisfied with the representation in TV series. This confirm Stone wall’s reports which show that gay people are still likely to be portrayed in a Above all, none of the participants seem satisfied with the representation in TV series. This confirm Stone wall’s reports which show that gay people are still likely to be portrayed in a

their view the representation of gay males has passed through the second stage of “Ridicule”, but has still not reached the “Regulation” stage.