| dc.description.abstract | Currently, there is little research on the perception of gay men of their portrayals
on television and in film. Thus far, literature on such portrayals on the small and silver
screens has taken a general survey of men and women of all sexual orientations. This
qualitative research explores the perceptions of a group of gay men, as garnered in a
focus group, by presenting a curation of TV and movie clips to generate discussion. The
main findings suggest that shows and movies are apt to illustrate gay men as overly
sexual, flamboyant, and reliant on the act of ‘coming out’. The idea of ‘coming out’, as a
focus of the participants, was emphasized as an integral part of a gay man’s experience
and identity. Participants stressed the importance of recognizing one’s homosexuality, as
a practical act of saying the words – ‘I am gay’ – aloud, and they also highlighted the
perpetual process of coming out to everyone. Other findings in this research highlight
general stereotypes of gay men that establish a standard of ‘gayness’, which is advanced
through these media forms. This standard is utilized by both gay and straight individuals
as a reference for what it means to be gay – that is, what it looks and even sounds like to
be a gay man. In the case of heterosexual individuals, this research highlights that the
portrayal of gay men on television and in film can serve to condition how straight people
think about gay men in general. This standard of ‘gayness’, however, serves as a form of
role modeling that serves to inform gay youth how they should act. This anthropological
work is a glimpse into how gay men perceive their portrayals on TV and in film, but
further study is required to contribute to this very important topic. | en_US |
