time for venting. the bravo television network has decided to participate in america's continuing and unwitting (?) endorsement of minority stereotypes by green-lighting a tv series entitled queer eye for the straight guy. in said series, five infinitely stylish urban queers make over the wardrobe and pad of a straight everyday joe.

I shouldn't even have to say why this is an affront to me. but I will. why does this show have a shot at success? because it plays into the belief of mainstream, heterocentric america that homosexual men are concerned solely with appearances, superficialities, and trends. furthermore, it feeds the representation of gays as city-dwelling white males (and all five members of the "team" are white). while it is certainly comforting to know that the viewing public has been deemed comfortable with the inclusion of alternative lifestyles in the media, shows like this and--yes, even the all sainted will and grace--are more of an irritation to me than a comfort. they show no diversity, no variation within a minority that is intrinsically all inclusive.

my primary concern: the role models that the media are giving to young homosexuals today. you see, it's fine to be gay, but only so long as we function as chic european-american paragons of fashion and good taste. we gel our hair, we shop, and we club. there are certainly thousands upon thousands of closeted teens in this country on the verge of coming out. and for all too many, this is what they come out to. by limiting portrayals of gays to vacuous, sophisticated fops, we are creating them.

last semester I attended a panel discussion on gays in appalachia. I spoke about myself a little, and how I've actually benefited from a rural upbringing. there is no club scene in dubya-vee-ay. the nearest banana republic is two hours away, and prada is simply a word in a foreign language. granted, backwoods towns mean backward thinking, and being gay in them ain't easy. but in absence of that superficial urban scene, I was forced to form my own identity. it's made it a little difficult for me to interact with most gay men, but I have no problems interacting with people in general. which is the problem that we're forcing upon homosexuals: we give them a niche to gravitate into, a comfort zone that isolates them in many ways from society. like pretty, gucci-clad birds, doing their tricks on the tube to entertain the masses and train each other to do the same. not a pretty sight.

sorry to be a bit militant. but dammit, sometimes I like getting riled.

oh, and a happy fourth to all!