Queer Representation

Raymond, D. Popular culture and queer representation: A critical perspective. In G.

Dines & J. Humez, (Ed.), Gender, race, and class in media (pp. 98-110).

Holbert, S. (2007). Where we are on TV: GLAAD’s 12th annual study examines

diversity of the 2007-08 primetime scripted television season. Retrieved

November 8, 2007, from http://www.glaad.org/media/release_detail.php?id=4054

Kucserka, S., Becker, V., Pennette, M. (Writers), & Brock, T. (Director). (2007). Don’t

Ask, Don’t Tell [Television series episode]. Ugly Betty. Los Angeles: American

Broadcasting Company.

Wiener, R., Schwartz, K., Khan, N. (Writers), & Woods, B. (2006). Lincoln Lover

[Television series episode]. American Dad. Los Angeles: 20th Century Fox

Television.

Palmer, K. (Writer), & Burrows, J. (Director). (2000). Gypsies, Tramps & Weed

[Television series episode]. Will & Grace. Los Angeles: National Broadcasting

Company.

Werksman, H., Stanton, G. (Writers), & Lazarus, P. (Director). (2007). Petra-gate

[Television series episode]. Ugly Betty. Los Angeles: American Broadcasting

Company.

Poust, T., Kinnally, J. (Writers), & Burrows, J. (Director). (2001). A Chorus Lie

[Television series episode]. Will & Grace. Los Angeles: National Broadcasting

Company.

Charles, L. (Writer), & Cherones, T. (Director). (1993). The Outing [Television series

episode]. Seinfeld. Los Angeles: National Broadcasting Company.


Fordham, D. (Writer), & Mackenzie, W. (Director). (2007). My Musical [Television

series episode]. Scrubs. Los Angeles: National Broadcasting Company.

November 8, 2007
After reading “Popular Culture and Queer Representation,” I examined current television shows for the number of homosexual characters and their characterizations and examples of gay pretenders and straight mistaken for gay. Unfortunately, the number of homosexual characters has declined since this article was published. Therefore, several of my examples are from the same shows.
According to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) 12th annual “where we are on TV” study, the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender characters is down for the third year in the row (Holbert, 2007). The show Ugly Betty has two homosexual male characters, one of which is a teenager. Mark and Justin are portrayed as being obsessed with fashion, have higher pitched voices, and flamboyant expressions.
One episode titled “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” describes Mark’s hesitation to come out to his mother. He goes as far as to pretend his co-worker, Ugly Betty, is his girlfriend and introduces his mother to her family. His close friends encourage him to be truthful, and when he does his mother tells him that he has to live with the choice he has made. Despite parental disapproval, Mark feels better about himself because he no longer has to put on these stupid charades or keep any more secrets.
Other queer representations I found were in American Dad and Will & Grace. Part of American Dad’s humor is relying on stereotypes. In the episode “Lincoln Lover,” Stan describes criteria for identifying homosexuals including tight clothes, colorful drinks, liking musicals, checking their nails in an effeminate way, and being for equal rights. In the Will & Grace episode “Gypsies, Tramps & Weed,” Jack’s and the stereotypical gay icon, Cher, guest stars. Comedies rely on stereotypes so that the material is acceptable to heterosexuals.