Blog 3

In reading the discussion boards this week, as well as the readings, I have been thinking more and more about the media representations of gays and lesbians on television. (Sorry, but the fall season is starting up and I am all about my television these days!) However, I think this point is a valid one- I cannot recall a single lesbian couple on television right now. Yes, I know Ellen is a lesbian, but I mean, there are none portrayed in any shows on a network station right now. Despite watching a lot of tv, probably too much, I know that I may very well be missing a relationship portrayed on a show I don't watch, of which there are many; however I have not seen any press surrounding a lesbian relationship in any of the new or returning shows in any of the issues of magazines I have bought recently devoted to giving the run-down on the fall season.

I have, however, heard a ton of talk and speculation about whether or not Cameron and Mitchell are going to kiss on "Modern Family" this season. There was apparently a Facebook page devoted to getting the show creator and writers to up the ante as far as affection between Mitchell and Cam. I, personally, never have had a problem buying into their relationship because there is obvious affection between them without them being all touchy-feely. I am in no way grossed out or offended by the potential physical affection between them (I watched all 4 seasons of Queer as Folk and own the British version on DVD) but I am more than a little annoyed that now there is a certain quota of kisses that they need to rack up in a season for people not to feel slighted.

I have lost my train of thought, but I assure you, I had one. I think I was going somewhere with the fact that now it's not only "OK" to show gays on tv, and to even encourage them to kiss, but lesbians are only ok in pornos or on daytime tv? What happened in society that being a gay man became acceptable, but being a lesbian became scary or taboo? It feels like 5 years ago, if you saw two women kissing, it was appointment tv, and again, now you can't find a lesbian couple to save your life. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I just think that society almost can't be accepting of both at the same time, because then what? The gays take over? I don't understand the trending at all.