Never Blend In
THE PORTRAYAL OF THE LGB COMMUNITY INTHE MEDIA
THE PORTRAYAL OF THE LGB COMMUNITY INTHE MEDIA
EXTRACT FROM “NEVER BLEND IN: THE LEGACY OF HARVEY MILK”
BY DAVID WATTERS
"All men are created equal. No matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words." Harvey Milk
NEITHER VICTIM NOR VILLAIN BE...
The LGBT community continue to be portrayed in the media as either Victims or Villains. Representations of gay men as only weak, lesbians as only butch and masculine damage society and hold us all back from our true potential.
There are relatively few openly LGBT faces on the BBC, or in the wider media, but I would point out that our greatest and most inspiring role model, Stephen Fry, has played an enormous part in "normalising" societies view. Sadly, he is in the minority.
The view presented is predominantly stereotypical and negative. Weak gay characters pass through soaps, having failed at relationships and become victims of pathetic, emotional crisis caused by the characters inability to emotionally handle their sexuality.
ldentifying as LGBT need not, in itself, be an issue. What does impact upon someone who identifies as LGB or T is the discrimination and/or oppression from and by society. Portrayals or representations of homosexuals in the media also have a powerful effect and a lack of family support can destroy the developing identity to a point where self-esteem is low and true potential is not fulfilled.
We all have a moral duty to nurture and support our children, to understand their needs and their vulnerabilities. If we fail in this obligation, the results, as we hear daily, can be devastating; with children finding no better option than to harm themselves in order to escape the intolerable despair resulting from perceived or actual rejection, religious intolerance, harassment and a lack of any visible positive inspirational figures.
Openly LGBT and successful role model figures can play an enormous part in highlighting the wealth of possibilities available to young people. These people, who are successfully modelling admirable qualities and character traits such as determination, diligence, vision and consistent effort, can only serve to inspire and encourage the younger generation, or anyone questioning their validity, to lead a balanced, fulfilling and dignified life.
The LGBT community would be fortunate to survive an hour of television without an anti-gay slur or a "joke" about their sexual identity being presented as entertainment. If the same were the case for cultural or religious minorities, the BBC would be inundated with complaints.
2DTV
Gay characters, as I have said, are 2 dimensional and rely on stereotypes. Factual programming sensationalizes sexual orientation and game shows are heterosexist in the extreme.
The media is focussed on making money and caters to the majority of viewers. Sadly, this means minority groups are ignored and the message to younger viewers is that they are not an equally valid part of society.
INVISIBILITY
Major events such as the anti Hate Crime candlelit vigil in Trafalgar Square last year were not even covered. The public remain unaware of the social inequality faced by the LGBT community as it is ignored in the news or in factual programming. Where were the reports on Proposition 8 in the US or the story about marriage inequality in this country? The Ugandan Anti Homosexual Bill has had little coverage that I am aware of. Representation is not adequate.
The LGBT community is as diverse as the heterosexual community. No group of people can be fully represented and not all viewers will be satisfied. I believe that it is true of all social groups that only a very narrow 2 dimensional view is offered to viewers.
The most under represented group are the lesbian community (besides the transgender community which is not the purpose of this particular article) and this should also be addressed. Lesbians are viewed more so as women who choose their sexuality. Often characters flirt with lesbianism as a choice following a failed heterosexual relationship. This is true for a minority but, like gay men, the sexual orientation is not a choice but is as innate as eye colour.
Factual programming is respectful but caution must be taken in light programming. Racist slurs or laughter at the expense of a cultural minority is not acceptable but we still face mockery and are made to feel less than equal to heterosexuals in the language that is allowed in reference to the LGB community
Broader research into the greater diversity that exists and for this to be portrayed accurately. Stereotypes of all social groups keep humanity in a frozen state and can be dangerous. Honest representation is what will break down social barriers to a point where our similarities are embraced and our differences valued.
Hate crimes against any group are caused by ignorance and if all that a white heterosexual audience is shown on television are "queer" representations, there will be hate. Worse still, the young LGB people who watch television will only learn to hate themselves and engage in self destructive behaviours.
The responsibility is huge since the media plays such a large part in shaping our individual and cultural identity.
Now is the time for us to be fully aware of how poorly represented we are as a community and find creative methods of counteracting the inherent bigotry within the dollar focussed media.
Our silence demonstrates apathy, or worse an acceptance that our marginalisation in the media is deserved.
Join the movement, use your voice and refuse to accept the socially imposed second class status that you have been given.
To contact David Watters: never_blend_in@rocketmail.com
BIOGRAPHY & SYNOPSIS
David Watters is a teacher, personal tutor and freelance writer, based in London, who regularly writes for www.ambiente.us, One Nation and Polari on issues concerning the LGBT Community.
Since graduating from The Institute of Education, University of London, David has gone on to train with LEAP, as a mediator, and is a qualified facilitator for The Pacific Institute.
As a teacher, his focus has been on inclusion with regard to Special Educational Needs and the development of Creative Partnerships. Using a solid understanding of concepts such as cognitive dissonance, self-efficacy, self and collective belief, and accountability he continues to embrace his pastoral role as a Personal Tutor for students, aged 16 upwards, who require guidance and support to successfully achieve both their personal and academic goals.
His writing has been championed by Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk and political activist, who has said: “I love your work, which is vital to show the richness of embracing and celebrating our wonderful diversity. As Harvey would say, you’re bringing medicine into the world that the world needs! Thank you!”
Never Blend In: The Legacy of Harvey Milk is a unique collection of inspirational interviews with well known and everyday people who represent the great diversity within the LGBT Community.
The research, supported by PFLAG and The Trevor Project, FFLAG (UK), The Gay Police Association (GPA) and Schools OUT (UK), tackles the issue of teenage suicide and the disenfranchisement often felt by LGBT youth.
Role models from education, entertainment, law enforcement, medical and emergency services, politics, religion and sports have participated in this accessible and much needed discourse to illuminate the reader’s journey of self-discovery and self- efficacy.
Openly LGBT and successful role model figures can play an enormous part in highlighting the wealth of possibilities available to young people. These people, who are successfully modelling admirable qualities and character traits such as determination, diligence, vision and consistent effort, can only serve to inspire and encourage the younger generation, or anyone questioning their validity, to lead a balanced, fulfilling and dignified life.
Each chapter is prefaced with sound advice and guidance on how self-worth determines potential.
Life need not be a self-fulfilling prophecy and by recognising that our “truth” has been shaped through our relationships, our environment and our experiences, we can begin to change our perceptions, heighten our self-esteem and move toward our personal and professional goals with clear vision and purpose.
For more information on the writer see:
http://www.ambiente.us/DavidWatters.html
http://www.ambiente.us/05509JohnAmaechi.html
http://www.ambiente.us/08009ChrisMason.html
NEVER BLEND IN: THE LEGACY OF HARVEY MILK
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523646718#/group.php?gid=106...
If you are extra keen then join my NBI page on myspace too:
www.myspace.com/n_b_i
You can also now join me on Twitter too: http://twitter.com/NEVER_BLEND_IN
EXTRACT FROM “NEVER BLEND IN: THE LEGACY OF HARVEY MILK”
BY DAVID WATTERS
"All men are created equal. No matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words." Harvey Milk
NEITHER VICTIM NOR VILLAIN BE...
The LGBT community continue to be portrayed in the media as either Victims or Villains. Representations of gay men as only weak, lesbians as only butch and masculine damage society and hold us all back from our true potential.
There are relatively few openly LGBT faces on the BBC, or in the wider media, but I would point out that our greatest and most inspiring role model, Stephen Fry, has played an enormous part in "normalising" societies view. Sadly, he is in the minority.
The view presented is predominantly stereotypical and negative. Weak gay characters pass through soaps, having failed at relationships and become victims of pathetic, emotional crisis caused by the characters inability to emotionally handle their sexuality.
ldentifying as LGBT need not, in itself, be an issue. What does impact upon someone who identifies as LGB or T is the discrimination and/or oppression from and by society. Portrayals or representations of homosexuals in the media also have a powerful effect and a lack of family support can destroy the developing identity to a point where self-esteem is low and true potential is not fulfilled.
We all have a moral duty to nurture and support our children, to understand their needs and their vulnerabilities. If we fail in this obligation, the results, as we hear daily, can be devastating; with children finding no better option than to harm themselves in order to escape the intolerable despair resulting from perceived or actual rejection, religious intolerance, harassment and a lack of any visible positive inspirational figures.
Openly LGBT and successful role model figures can play an enormous part in highlighting the wealth of possibilities available to young people. These people, who are successfully modelling admirable qualities and character traits such as determination, diligence, vision and consistent effort, can only serve to inspire and encourage the younger generation, or anyone questioning their validity, to lead a balanced, fulfilling and dignified life.
The LGBT community would be fortunate to survive an hour of television without an anti-gay slur or a "joke" about their sexual identity being presented as entertainment. If the same were the case for cultural or religious minorities, the BBC would be inundated with complaints.
2DTV
Gay characters, as I have said, are 2 dimensional and rely on stereotypes. Factual programming sensationalizes sexual orientation and game shows are heterosexist in the extreme.
The media is focussed on making money and caters to the majority of viewers. Sadly, this means minority groups are ignored and the message to younger viewers is that they are not an equally valid part of society.
INVISIBILITY
Major events such as the anti Hate Crime candlelit vigil in Trafalgar Square last year were not even covered. The public remain unaware of the social inequality faced by the LGBT community as it is ignored in the news or in factual programming. Where were the reports on Proposition 8 in the US or the story about marriage inequality in this country? The Ugandan Anti Homosexual Bill has had little coverage that I am aware of. Representation is not adequate.
The LGBT community is as diverse as the heterosexual community. No group of people can be fully represented and not all viewers will be satisfied. I believe that it is true of all social groups that only a very narrow 2 dimensional view is offered to viewers.
The most under represented group are the lesbian community (besides the transgender community which is not the purpose of this particular article) and this should also be addressed. Lesbians are viewed more so as women who choose their sexuality. Often characters flirt with lesbianism as a choice following a failed heterosexual relationship. This is true for a minority but, like gay men, the sexual orientation is not a choice but is as innate as eye colour.
Factual programming is respectful but caution must be taken in light programming. Racist slurs or laughter at the expense of a cultural minority is not acceptable but we still face mockery and are made to feel less than equal to heterosexuals in the language that is allowed in reference to the LGB community
Broader research into the greater diversity that exists and for this to be portrayed accurately. Stereotypes of all social groups keep humanity in a frozen state and can be dangerous. Honest representation is what will break down social barriers to a point where our similarities are embraced and our differences valued.
Hate crimes against any group are caused by ignorance and if all that a white heterosexual audience is shown on television are "queer" representations, there will be hate. Worse still, the young LGB people who watch television will only learn to hate themselves and engage in self destructive behaviours.
The responsibility is huge since the media plays such a large part in shaping our individual and cultural identity.
Now is the time for us to be fully aware of how poorly represented we are as a community and find creative methods of counteracting the inherent bigotry within the dollar focussed media.
Our silence demonstrates apathy, or worse an acceptance that our marginalisation in the media is deserved.
Join the movement, use your voice and refuse to accept the socially imposed second class status that you have been given.
To contact David Watters: never_blend_in@rocketmail.com
BIOGRAPHY & SYNOPSIS
David Watters is a teacher, personal tutor and freelance writer, based in London, who regularly writes for www.ambiente.us, One Nation and Polari on issues concerning the LGBT Community.
Since graduating from The Institute of Education, University of London, David has gone on to train with LEAP, as a mediator, and is a qualified facilitator for The Pacific Institute.
As a teacher, his focus has been on inclusion with regard to Special Educational Needs and the development of Creative Partnerships. Using a solid understanding of concepts such as cognitive dissonance, self-efficacy, self and collective belief, and accountability he continues to embrace his pastoral role as a Personal Tutor for students, aged 16 upwards, who require guidance and support to successfully achieve both their personal and academic goals.
His writing has been championed by Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk and political activist, who has said: “I love your work, which is vital to show the richness of embracing and celebrating our wonderful diversity. As Harvey would say, you’re bringing medicine into the world that the world needs! Thank you!”
Never Blend In: The Legacy of Harvey Milk is a unique collection of inspirational interviews with well known and everyday people who represent the great diversity within the LGBT Community.
The research, supported by PFLAG and The Trevor Project, FFLAG (UK), The Gay Police Association (GPA) and Schools OUT (UK), tackles the issue of teenage suicide and the disenfranchisement often felt by LGBT youth.
Role models from education, entertainment, law enforcement, medical and emergency services, politics, religion and sports have participated in this accessible and much needed discourse to illuminate the reader’s journey of self-discovery and self- efficacy.
Openly LGBT and successful role model figures can play an enormous part in highlighting the wealth of possibilities available to young people. These people, who are successfully modelling admirable qualities and character traits such as determination, diligence, vision and consistent effort, can only serve to inspire and encourage the younger generation, or anyone questioning their validity, to lead a balanced, fulfilling and dignified life.
Each chapter is prefaced with sound advice and guidance on how self-worth determines potential.
Life need not be a self-fulfilling prophecy and by recognising that our “truth” has been shaped through our relationships, our environment and our experiences, we can begin to change our perceptions, heighten our self-esteem and move toward our personal and professional goals with clear vision and purpose.
For more information on the writer see:
http://www.ambiente.us/DavidWatters.html
http://www.ambiente.us/05509JohnAmaechi.html
http://www.ambiente.us/08009ChrisMason.html
NEVER BLEND IN: THE LEGACY OF HARVEY MILK
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523646718#/group.php?gid=106...
If you are extra keen then join my NBI page on myspace too:
www.myspace.com/n_b_i
You can also now join me on Twitter too: http://twitter.com/NEVER_BLEND_IN
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