Beyond Tolerance

Over the years were have seen more and more television networks incorporating homosexuality into their regular programming. From Ellen to now, we see a sort of evolution that provokes the question, has television progressed? However, the real question seems to be, have we?

When Ellen revealed she was homosexual, there seemed to be some turmoil, and time and time again, the question of how much gay-ness do we allow on television rose to the public's attention. What's crucial here is that we, as an audience, were asking how much we could tolerate. Tolerating seems to carry some weight with it, in my mind. Should we be tolerant at all? Is that not how we should feel about homosexual themes and plot devices in our daily t.v. shows?

To me, tolerance still conjures an image of unwillingness. For example, if you're around a smoker when they're getting their fix of nicotine--and you do not smoke--do you refuse to leave? In some cases--say, a best friend--you stick around and tolerate the smoke. But you still do not supporting smoking or having to inhale cigarette smoke second-hand.

Sure the aforementioned example is loose, but you get the idea. Tolerance insists that we still do not accept something as "normal" or fitting to our current ideologies, especially those socially constructed.

In a somewhat optimistic light, I do believe that television has progressed, taking baby steps, but nonetheless heading in the right direction. When Queer Eye for the Straight Guy hit the airwaves, many people were concerned about the reality show's content. Using the stereotype of gay males being fashion-sensible, the group (called the Fab Five) recreates heterosexuals' appearances in order to alter their lives, leaving them with a look that builds confidence and optimism. However, this show was depicting homosexuals as useful, promoting the idea of tolerance.

Then we have Will and Grace. Though the show uses many tired gay jokes, including the often found humorous 'flamming' gay man, it pushes beyond the idea of tolerance and adds the notion of homosexuals being like anyone else, indeterminate of space and time for the most part.

While most people don't think of it, Buffy the Vampire Slayer pushed the images of homosexuality even further by portraying women who were 'lesbian', but not masculine. The gay characters within in the show were meant to betray all stereotypical notions of being gay or being a lesbian. Around this time in television, the word tolerant strays further behind, but nevertheless, is still some what present. http://socyberty.com/gay-lesbians/how-homosexuals-are-portrayed-on-television/

And now we've reached a new standard. With shows like Modern Family doing well on t.v., we now spend our times discovering how homosexuals live out everyday life. For the most part, the idea of tolerating gay people is not expressed; instead, the show explores acceptance. In conclusion, I think television is definitely heading in the correct direction, as far as adding more perspectives to their shows. In my opinion, the way Modern Family depicts homosexuality is a more three-dimensional view. We are no longer left wondering how much we can allow, but instead asking much more can we know; how much more can we discover.