GLAAD just released their 15th annual Where We Are On TV Report on gays in television and the answer is “everywhere.” Even the guy who installed your cable is probably a ‘mo. Rejoice.
The report states, “At the launch of the 2010-2011 television season, GLAAD estimates that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) scripted characters represent 3.9% of all scripted series regular characters on the five broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, and NBC. This is slightly more than last year, with 23 series regular characters identified as LGBT.”
And even when the characters aren’t gay, they’re aspiring to be. The season premiere of 30 Rock had Alec Baldwin bragging to Tina Fey that he was considered to be a “daddy bear” by the gay community. Damn right. *swoon*
– J. Harvey
To watch Alec Baldwin delighting in his woofiness, follow the JUMP:
What’s even funnier is he used the same line to a certain extent in Will and Grace.
I’d do him in a heartbeat.
I’m so glad we found an excuse to post this Alec Baldwin “daddy bear” clip. JUST SAYIN’.
– Dewitt
Long-time fan of daddy Baldwin. He will never go out of style.
Daddy bear? Disgusting representation of the gay community. Why can’t gay men be just like everyone else in the religious right with their heads up their assess instead of in someones mouth. Disgusting.
Love Alec’s hairy chest! Hot!
Hate to start something here, but a large majority of the gay portrayals on TV always seem to be along the lines of the stereotypical flamboyant, hysterical queens (regular or drag). Where are the strong and silent types? When are we going to see a gay cop/detective series, like the Donald Strachey movies with Chad Allen? 3.9% may be fine, but I’d rather have quality over quantity when it comes to representation.
one question… if we are tired to say that 10 % of men are gay (and to be honest i think its way more than that) why we think 3.9 % of characters its a great number???? second what abaut the quality of that representation…. most of that stereotypical….
I disagree with the assumption that all of gay characters on television R stereotypical & flamboyant granted there still a lot of work 2 be done 4 fair and honest portrayal of gay & lesbian characters on television ( especially of gay men ) but the tides R turning perhaps just not fast enough .
Well… I know this will open up a HUGE can of worms, but the portrayal of Christians on TV shows is anything but kind. If you aren’t mainstream, you just aren’t given true representation. That’s the way it is. I’m not holding my breath for any change.
Thanks for your comment, ToddM. I completely agree. Let’s see how many stereotypes from TV and movies I can come up with:
–the flamboyant gay character
–the holier-than-thou Christian (most recently seen as the chastity club president)
–the sassy black female best friend
–the bitchy Asian female neighbor
–the rich blonde female bitch
–the hot, womanizing, dumb as dirt white male lead
That’s just what I can up with in 10 seconds. And not that we shouldn’t hold the industry “accountable” for how we are portrayed, but let’s appreciate that there are gay characters whose bios are more developed than just that they’re gay.
Although more Donald Strachey-types certainly wouldn’t hurt. Actually, more Chad Allen anything would be fine with me!
Have you ever noticed how the “dad” or guy in the commercials are always the stupid ones and the woman is the one who “comes to the rescue”? I hate that! Talk about a stereotype!