Sexual Orientation

[jmicha]

^Lol, I hear what you are saying. I don't think any of us were saying there is any issue with the stereotypical gay. Although that description doesn't fit me very well, it fits several of my friends. I befriended a 'bitchy queen' after she helped me introduce myself to other gay men whenever I went to see her perform. I think the conversation was more about the fact that we are more often than not only portrayed in that manner. Being a group that is quite fond of diversity it would be nice to see something else in the limelight. After reading some of these comments however, it really does seem the best thing for us to do is just be ourselves around anyone we interact with. I've gotten to that point in my life where I'm comfortable talking openly about myself around others including strangers, but it took a while for me to get here. But it helps show others that we aren't all alike and we are a fantastically diverse group of people.

[QueerRudie]

I personally like LOGO. The A-List was such a train wreck that I couldn't stop watching it.

 

That being said, I don't actually watch it that often. When I do, it is not for the lighter fare gay movies. It is for the shows like 1 girl 5 gays.

 

At 40, I do remember a time when a television network (even cable) geared towards gay people would have been a joke. I consider the "movies" they show to be rather bland (especially when edited for television,) but I still love the fact that there is a network (and the requisite advertisers) that is catering to an LGBT audience.

 

For movies, IMDB and Netflix have shown me wonderful movies like Strapped, A Beautiful Thing, Bear Cub, Shank, Release, A Four Letter Word, etc...

 

And for the record...I absolutely LOVE RuPauls Drag Race!

 

There is nothing wrong with being a rather sterotypical gay guy. I take care of myself, love to cook, throw amazing dinner parties and can shop like a demon. I can also work on a car, restore a house and listen to whatever damn music I please from Lady Gaga and Madonna, to the Sisters of Mercy and Pansy Division. It saddens me that "sterotypical" gay guys are treated like pariahs by their own community .

 

Oh well, I'm here, I'm queer - deal with it

I still love the fact that there is a network (and the requisite advertisers) that is catering to an LGBT audience.

 

I can understand your points entirely: I never thought I'd live to see the day of a 'gay' channel. But they're not catering to a LGBT audience. They're catering to a specific GT audience- and leaving the L's and B's out of it.

 

They're also leaving out the Bears of this world: One program a month does not constitute a varied program. Nor do I consider one program a month about Dykes to be a fulfilling network. Nor are they keeping me, an openly queer guy (For 20 years this month, no less) as part of the audience.

 

Now if I were running the show: I'd go for more diversity- and head the network in a better direction:

1.) Add the LPGA Tour, plus Wimbledon; the national Softball championships as well as NCAA Field Hockey. (All of which I'd be first in line to watch... but I think that goes without saying.)

2.) I'd love to see themed film nights (Similar to what TBS did with 'Dinner and a Movie' but aimed at the gay community: Perhaps a bear night with films featuring burly actors, or an all dyke night featuring womyn's friendly films.)

3.) Dump the 'Teen Mom" and related. I'm sorry: Gay people do not, as a rule, get knocked up by unprotected sex. And if they are, they're not doing the 'gay' part right.

4.) There will always be a part for RuPaul: But not for 12 hours a day. She might be fierce, but she doesn't need 12 hours of programming a day.

 

Yes, there is room for programs like the "A List" and related- that still needs to be a part of the network: But don't forget about those of us who, even in our -wildest- dreams, could never be like that. I don't want to make it seem like they DON'T belong there, but rather- let's see more of everyone- and not of just one type.

 

There is nothing wrong with being a rather sterotypical gay guy. I take care of myself, love to cook, throw amazing dinner parties and can shop like a demon. I can also work on a car, restore a house and listen to whatever damn music I please from Lady Gaga and Madonna, to the Sisters of Mercy and Pansy Division. It saddens me that "sterotypical" gay guys are treated like pariahs by their own community .

 

Nothing's wrong with it at all: It's an aspect of the gay community. But I'd love to see a TV program that showed of somebody of my world for once- I.E. A sports-loving, potluck throwing, Lilith Faire going heterosexual lesbian in a man's body. (As a good friend of mine said: He's a dyke tyke.) Let's see an all-bear program, featuring big burly guys. That's where I find that LOGO has lost it's way. We are the 'forgotten ones' now- and that's what frustrates me.

[WFChris]

With gay characters appearing more and more on network television, our universal appeal is clearly evident. As far as LOGO goes, I think its great to be watching this station evolve over time. As several have echoed, nobody thought a gay channel would exist. Then thy thought LOGO would never last 6 months. Then a year. Now the channel is running seasons of its popular shows. It is slowly maturing into a real station. 'Bad Sex' is really a great show that speaks to everybody regardless of their orientation.

 

I know its popular to 'act' or 'be' as not gay as possible, but honestly blending in is boring. If LOGO blended in like every other channel, it would be boring. What makes it different than Bravo? Well, it's even more gay! I guess my point is that we need to recognize our community and embrace it, and not 'act straight' it away which is so evidently popular today. The channel has to play a tricky role of representing our community to not just ourselves but the world. I have not personally seen Teen Mom on the channel, but other old shows like Daria are great to see.

 

I grew up in a weird point where I was born with the 'f' word being okay and seeing the world evolve and making it actually a bad word. I think its important for the newer generation to be aware of the out-and-proud attitude that the community HAD to embrace in order to get us where we are today. LOGO in many ways needs to consistently embrace this as well as progress with the times and I think they do a pretty good job.

[QueerRudie]

 

I know its popular to 'act' or 'be' as not gay as possible, but honestly blending in is boring. If LOGO blended in like every other channel, it would be boring. What makes it different than Bravo? Well, it's even more gay! I guess my point is that we need to recognize our community and embrace it, and not 'act straight' it away which is so evidently popular today. The channel has to play a tricky role of representing our community to not just ourselves but the world. I have not personally seen Teen Mom on the channel, but other old shows like Daria are great to see.

 

Ummmm... I do take offense to that. I really do. I think, and I'm pretty sure I can speak for a few people here, that I don't act straight. I act LIKE ME. As an out-of-the-closet for 20 years open gay man, I don't need to act 'girly' in order to be queer. I don't hide it- I don't want to. There is a -grand canyon- sized gap between acting straight, and being a butch queer male. However, with people constantly re-enforcing the idea that in order to push for acceptance, you need to be flamboyant, that makes it hard for those of us who ARE butch to get our message across as well: We're here, We're queer, Get used to it. We don't blend in, we're being ourselves. There is nothing wrong with being flamboyant. But please don't call the rest of us 'acting straight' or 'not being gay as possible.' We're just as queer as everyone else is.

[coasterbear30]

^Once again, I completely agree. I am not "acting" butch. I am just being myself and I don't feel like I have to be prissy or sassy to get attention and tell people that I am gay. The fact that I just married my boyfriend 2 months ago and people might see us hold hands or hug would be enough to tell them I am gay. I don't have any agenda. I just am who I am. I am totally ok with guys that are feminine and are that way because that is just who they are or they were born feminine. I am not ok with guys that do it just because that is how "they are supposed to act."

 

And while we are talking about media, there is one more thing that really pushes my buttons. A lot of movies out there (like The Kids are Alright) portray that the gay or lesbian actors can just switch off being gay or lesbian and go the other way (Julianne Moore all of the sudden sleeps with a guy.) It REALLY perpetuates the stereotype that we choose to be gay and that we can turn it off if we want too. It also says that we are confused as people. As if enough people don't think that already. That really does not help in any way. Trust me, I am in no way confused. I have never been attracted to boobs or vagina.

[Philrad71]

LOGO, in my humble opinion, has gone from 'meh' to just plain awful in less than two years. Diversity on it? Nope. Stereotypes? Yup- and lots of them.

 

They cancelled two -brilliant- programs: "Rick and Steve' as well as the gay sketch comedy show: Both of which showed a lot of promise, and something OTHER than stereotype re-enforcement.

 

What did they put in instead? Crap, crap and more crap.

 

They have, in one way or another, made a -complete- mockery of gay people: The "A" list, which I've seen -one- episode of, is enough to make me think that these children (And I doubt it any of them are over 24, as after all, gay people magically disappear at age 25) are shallow, petty sluts who have -no- real personality at all: I've seen better personalities out of slugs or worms.

 

They cancelled two -brilliant- programs: "Rick and Steve' as well as the gay sketch comedy show: Both of which showed a lot of promise, and something OTHER than stereotype re-enforcement.

 

Then there's RuPaul's Drag Race: Once again, bitchy men fighting it out over wigs and dresses. REALLY?

 

And now, they're showing programs like "Teen Mom" on there. Now let's think about this: A network dedicated to GAY MEN and LESBIANS showing a program that COULD NEVER EVEN POSSIBLY HAPPEN TO GAY PEOPLE WITHOUT JERRY SPRINGERS HELP?!?!?!

 

And then, there's the total neglect of Lesbians on the network.

 

I'd like to meet the head of programming with my Womyns Softball team, and show him that he's missing out on some critical demographics there. It's like for some reason they can't show anything other than bitchy queens and drama, and are forgetting that there's a whole other element to the gay community that's going completely unrepresented out there: Everyone OTHER than bitchy queens and kids. Many of us are over 25. Many of us are not 18 pounds wet. Some of us have -GASP- body hair. Some of us are not bound to the gym by law. A few of us even like to play SPORTS!

 

The gay community is made up of diversity- by nature and by how it has dealt with life. LOGO intends on getting rid of that: If you're over 25, or have -one- shred of body hair, or are a womyn, forget it. You don't belong there.

 

 

So in other words, Logo is like MTV & Jersey Shore??

[David H]

When dealing with Hollywood and the tv and film industry, I think the thing to understand with television is that unfortunately, they most often worry about the bottom line: the dollar. If they don't think that shows will attract viewers and advertisers, they're not going to show it. I've honestly paid very little attention to Logo, mainly because very little that they show interests me. I do think that ideally they should show a diverse segment of our communities. I'm not sure what they've experimented with and what kind of ratings those shows have gotten, but understand that that will be their primary consideration. We can make the argument that they have a responsibility to show diversity -- and lord knows I've made that argument for decades to the media! -- but ultimately, their bottom line will be their bottom line. Mind you, that doesn't mean that we have to accept it or expect it. But, understand that change does take time. And it will always be a few brave individuals with vision who take risks and make change happen. Unfortunately, the current climate in the industry ironically stifles vision, rather than encouraging it. (What can we remake this week?)

 

After all, this is an industry where things happen like the SciFi channel recently taking the SciFi out of their name to focus more on programming like wrestling! As such, they don't get any kind of loyalty from me as a science fiction viewer. But I'll still watch something if it's good, like the wonderful Being Human which is back in two weels! (Although the original British version is SO much better, as is usually the case.)

 

If you'd have told me years ago that we'd be complaining that the gay network channel doesn't have enough bears, I'd have told you that you were crazy!

[screaminkid2005]

So i just noticed this topic for the first time now so here it goes...

 

I'm a bi man, more towards guys, but I believe that a person can find love in anyone, male or female. I came out to my friends right after high school, not that it would have mattered because there were tons of gay/bi people in my school and everyone for the most part was very accepting! Anyways as I said, i came out after high school to friends, and just after midnight on new years morning this year told my older gay brother that I was bi. Being gay, he accepted me for who I am, but gave me one piece of advice, don't tell mom. While my mom will always love my brother and me (if/when i tell her), she will never accept it or approve of it. My straight brother wouldn't care as he has gay friends also and my father accepts it and just moves on like nothing has changed. Well there's my life story haha.

[BkkMan13]

To be honest, I'm pretty sure I'm gay, like 95% sure. But due to how old I am and what I've been told about some parts of puberty I can't be completely sure. I recently told my parents of these thoughts and they simply disagreed, for who knows why... I wish I was sure of whatever I am

[screaminkid2005]

^ It's only a matter of time buddy!

[Maximo37]

To be honest, I'm pretty sure I'm gay, like 95% sure. But due to how old I am and what I've been told about some parts of puberty I can't be completely sure. I recently told my parents of these thoughts and they simply disagreed, for who knows why... I wish I was sure of whatever I am

No need to rush it... I didn't admit it to myself until I was 19... didn't truly admit it to others until about 22/23... You are at a complicated age with school and transitioning to college/career... you have plenty of time to discover yourself... hang in there...

[jynx242]

^ I completely agree.

 

Your sexuality is really just a small part of the "total you," and that is still a work in progress . Concentrate on just being yourself and everything will fall into place.

[BkkMan13]

Thanks people this made me feel a lot better

[QueerRudie]

^ I completely agree.

 

Your sexuality is really just a small part of the "total you," and that is still a work in progress . Concentrate on just being yourself and everything will fall into place.

 

Great quote if I've ever seen one- and so very true as well. It took me till I was 16 to realize I was 'boy oriented'... and another 10 years to figure out how I fit into life. Don't rush it. Enjoy the journey- as there is nothing else like it on earth.

[funkeymon]

I came out to my school today.

[ScottBrown]

Really? How did it go?

[funkeymon]

Very well. Everyone in my school supports me so far.

[ScottBrown]

Well that is good to hear It's always nice to hear thing like that - It gives me a little hope for the world

[imagenius128]

Yeah, I'm gay too I was in the closet all through high school (except to a couple close friends) (no, not that kind of close), but I made the decision to be out in college and am sooo glad I chose that. Been much easier to live my life without hiding things like that.

 

And I never realized before how much of a gay following the roller coaster world has. Not huge, but still twice as much as normal population. Which is awesome

[ScottBrown]

^ I pretty much did the same thing except I came out in the year I took off prior to college and have never looked back

[imawesome1124]

One thing I will never understand is why people have to look down on gays. I myself am 100% straight, plan on marrying a woman and starting a family, but I still support gays. The only time I have a problem with gays is when they start coming on to me as it makes me uncomfortable. My dad said something that I agree with completely. It's that the more open gay people the better, because that means less competition for getting the women. Just because gay people like the same gender doesn't mean people should think any less of them. It doesn't make them different as a person. They may not act as masculine as us straight guys, but they aren't any different where it really matters. To summarize, I am completely without a doubt straight, but I still think that people need to be more accepting of gays.

[chasbron]

^It really is comforting to hear people like you support gays! It's nice to know that there are people who won't judge you for who you are just because of who you like! Thank you!

[ScottBrown]

yes I agree Thank you - the world needs more people that think like you do

[imawesome1124]

You're welcome, and that goes to all guys like you on this site. I was raised to never judge anybody for anything. I don't care if you're gay or straight, white or black, Christian or Muslim, I don't judge. I actually really wanted to tell a guy in one of my classes off for making a very extreme anti-gay statement, but I held back just because I wasn't in the mood for that kind of ranting. One of my favorite songs is actually talking about gay bulling and how it ruins people's lives. It's called Make it Stop by Rise Against. It's a powerful song and has a very moving video. And also - this has a lot to do with how I feel about this- a kid in my school ended his life because of gay bullying, and, even though I didn't know the guy, I still find it heartbreaking that someone would throw their life away because of a bunch of low bums who can't accept someone because they're different. That's my view on this topic, I do support gay rights and I hope I can make other kids in my school think the same way. I really hope I made you guys feel better about yourselves; not everyone is against you.

 

Edit: I feel like posting the music video so you can hear this inspiring song. I also want to add that like me, these guys are all straight.

The embed isn't working so it's just a link.

Edited January 21, 2012 by imawesome1124

[chasbron]

^ You have no idea. Thanks for the kind words, they really go a long way!