Giving Thanks: Angela Robinson

Originally posted on www.biggaypictureshow.com

Last week, I gave thanks to one of the most prolific LGBT writers in the UK, Russell T. Davies, and this week I’m not only looking across the pond at our American counterparts, but I’m also looking at the lovely lady gays. First on this list to give thanks to is film and television director, screenwriter and producer Angela Robinson.

Many of you out there may not have heard of Miss Robinson, but I can be pretty certain that you’ve heard of her work.

In the UK and America, Queer as Folk helped gay men burst into the mainstream and also made them the central characters of their own TV show, but for lesbians this didn’t really happen until the hit show The L Word came on the scene in 2004. In the midst of all the cast and creators, Angela Robinson was there working away acting as a director, writer and producer for the show, which helped lesbian characters break out onto American television like they never had before.

Aside from this, the show gave gay women a show of their own, instead of having to tune into Queer as Folk USA, where there were lesbian characters but they didn’t really balance out against their gay male counterparts.

This isn’t the only thing that she has done, she was also the director, writer and editor of the film D.E.B.S, an action comedy that was a slight parody of Charlie’s Angels and revolved around a lesbian love story. The film was an expansion on a short film of the same name, which was created by Robinson and won a clutch of awards back in 2003.

Luckily for everyone, Angela has continued to work in television and film through the last decade and has directed films such as Herbie: Fully Loaded, starring Lindsay Lohan. She has also worked as a writer on programmes such as True Blood, which itself can be viewed as an allegory for gay rights and has recently seen a few lesbian twists coming into it (whether she had anything to do with this is anyone’s guess).

As we can see, gay people working behind the scenes are helping us gain mainstream recognition in TV and film across the globe in an array of different shows. I mean, how many of you thought you’d see lesbians in a vampire programme (who aren’t just there for the titillation of straight male viewers)? But luckily for us these gay filmmakers, writers and producer are here, and hopefully here to stay.

Are Gay Men Considered More Acceptable On Screen Than Lesbians?

Originally posted on www.biggaypictureshow.com

Gay people have entered the mainstream media significantly in recent times, whether as television or radio presenters or characters in television and film. But something that has to be looked at, is how this representation is mainly of gay men.

When we see gay couples or a singular gay person in a film or on television, it is almost always gay men and very rarely a lesbian or lesbian couple. But why is this? Is the media and society in general more accepting of gay men that it is of gay women?

In recent times gay men have been shown in a particular light – we all know the stereotype of the fashion conscious, confident, out going, opinionated gay man who regularly springs up in TV programmes and films. When partnered with a straight woman, this coupling looks like a sure fire hit – just look at Carrie and Stanford in Sex and the City.

This cool trendy image of the gay man has also seeped into public consciousness as well, because as a gay man, how often have you bumped into someone on a night out or just with friends and heard the phrase, “I’ve always wanted a gay friend.” However you never hear someone say the same about having a lesbian friend, maybe because some people still have the image that lesbians are Dr Martins wearing, radical feminists in dungarees and checked shirts. It’s a stereotype that I can’t say I’ve actually come across in real life, and there aren’t many, if any, straight man and gay woman or straight woman and gay woman pairings in our regularly viewed entertainment.

But why is this? Is it because of the image that has been broadcast everywhere of gay men and the use of celebrities such as Graham Norton, Alan Carr and Gok Wan that have made gay men much more accessible and fashionable than women? We do have lesbian television presenters such as Sue Perkins, but let’s be honest, her time on television can’t really be compared to the constant presence of her gay male counterparts.

When it comes to gay men on television and film, there isn’t as much representation as there could be, especially in film, where lead gay characters are few and far between, but there are still significantly more gay men than there are lesbians.

Programmes such as Queer as Folk and Will & Grace helped bring gay men into the mainstream media and they have become staples ever since, but if Will was straight and Grace was a lesbian, would the programme have been as big as it was? The answer is probably no, because the stereotype conveyed in society of a gay man seems to add more comic value than that of a lesbian.

This continues throughout television where gay couples on British TV in Eastenders and Coronation Street have been major successes and have been given many major storylines (there have been lesbian storylines, but beyond the girl-on-girl kiss in Brookside, haven’t seeped into cultural consciousness in the same way). In film, Brokeback Mountain was a major Hollywood success both financially and personally for gay men, as they hadn’t had that type of exposure in a Hollywood movie ever, but there hasn’t been a major mainstream film based around lesbians.

Ok, there was The Kids are Alright in terms of movie representation, and there have been hit shows in the form of The L Word and Lip Service, but the majority of viewers for these programmes seem to be lesbians or people who already back the LGBT community, whereas programmes like Queer as Folk became a surprise hit with a large number of diverse viewers. The character of Sophie Webster has also played one of the bigger characters in Coronation Street recently, and being a lesbian the character is one of the most high profile in terms of lesbian representation, but why did it take them so long to introduce a lesbian character when they’d already had a few major gay themed storylines at that point?

We may never know the real answer, but hopefully the representation and acceptance of gay females on television and in film will improve, in the same way that it did for gay men. Sue Perkins is currently writing a new sitcom for BBC2 concentrating on a lesbian vet. How well it will do is another matter. But with representation increasing, hopefully we will see gay women and men on our television screens in a bigger quantity and more regularly. Who knows, the next big gay film in Hollywood may just centre around a lesbian. Here’s hoping.

Giving Thanks: Russell T. Davis

Originally posted on www.biggaypictureshow.com

When we see gay people appear on our television screens many of us may feel a sense of pride or achievement just because we are being represented on television. In all fairness this sense of pride or achievement may not be as strong as it was 10 or 15 years ago, as we now see gay people in all walks of life and we are no longer considered a taboo in the British media, or by a vast number of those in society.

But what we have to ask ourselves is how did this happen? Yes there have been people campaigning for years to allow gay people to have the same rights as straight people, and they fought the battles in courts and in parliament and helped us achieve equality in the workplace, schools and many other areas of our lives where we were once discriminated.

But the mass media, television, film, music also had a significant impact as many believe what they see on TV, and come to find what they are shown to be the norm. So how did we get to have gay characters spring up in film and television? Well that credit has to be given to those behind the scenes.

Over the last few decades countless writers and producers have helped gay men and women make their way onto our screens, and in Britain one of the most well known to do this is Russell .T Davies.

We all know Russell for his revival of the hit Sci-Fi programme Doctor Who and its subsequent spin off shows Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures, and even with these shows he’s managed to incorporate LGBT characters in the shape of Captain Jack Harkness the well known bisexual who is played by openly gay actor John Barrowman.

But obviously this probably wouldn’t have been possible if it hadn’t been for his breakout television show Queer as Folk, which centred on gay men living in Manchester. The show broke boundaries and helped gay men get the representation on television that was needed.

However his contributions to the LGBT community on television didn’t just start on Queer as Folk. Whilst working on children’s television show Children’s Ward he wrote a script that challenged the assumption that only gay people could contract HIV, when he featured a teenage boy who had been infected with the virus due to a blood transfusion. And he even incorporated gay characters in other programmes he worked on, such as a lesbian vicar in the late night soap Revelations.

So whilst we are sat watching television and see these gay characters walking around on our television sets, just take a moment to think about the great people working behind the scenes who have helped push us into the mainstream media and into most people’s viewing schedules.

Why gay characters need to be on TV

Originally posted on www.biggaypictureshow.com

Over the last decade the gay community have come onto our television screens with a bang. Since the 90s we have seen a selection of television shows achieve ratings and critical success such as Queer as Folk, Sugar Rush and Lip Service, along with gay characters playing principal roles in other television dramas and comedies like Shameless, Skins and Gimme Gimme Gimme.

Aside from this we now have gay characters on our television screens on a daily basis with soaps like Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Eastenders featuring several gay characters and storylines, allowing everyone to see that we are just the same as everyone else.

However where these programmes, characters and storylines have been met with praise and positive responses, they have been equally met with dislike and several complaints to Ofcom.

Over the last few years there have been several issues in the news surrounding gay people on television, such as the complaints surrounding a lesbian kiss on Coronation Street, along with some feeling there were two many gay characters on the show. There were complaints surrounding a gay sex scene involving openly gay actor John Barrowman in Doctor Who spin off Torchwood, despite the programme being aired after the watershed, and there were complaints regarding a gay couple being seen in bed with each other in Eastenders.

The fact of the matter is when straight people on these shows are shown kissing or in bed, we never hear of several complaints being made to Ofcom because of it. And even more importantly gay people are part of society and therefore should feature in television shows especially soap operas, I mean we wouldn’t complain if there were two many black or Asian people on Coronation Street would we?

Aside from gay people needing to be seen on television to show people that we are part of society, it also needs to show that we are just like everyone else, dealing with the mundane 9 – 5 working hours or having troubled relationship problems. Yes there have been stereotypes in the past such as Tom from Gimme Gimme Gimme or Mr Humphries in Are You Being Served? But in the last 10 years television has helped show that the gay community is just as diverse as every other community and that we aren’t all running around shouting “I’m free.”

The most important reason for us being visible on screen is to show today’s youth that it’s ok to be gay so they aren’t scared to come out, and to show others that gay people aren’t to be viewed as something different or to be scared of. Eventually with enough positive portrayal on television we may be able to almost stamp out homophobic issues, but until then we’re just going to have to keep showing everyone that we are just normal people.

Would Queer as Folk Have Been Made Today?

Originally published on www.biggaypictureshow.com

In 1999 a Channel 4 series not only changed the landscape for homosexuality on television but television in general. Queer as Folk introduced viewing audiences to the lives of a group of gay men living in Manchester that regularly frequented the infamous Canal Street.

But after making such an impact on audiences the world over, and after all the series was re-made for an American audience (which ran for five seasons), it makes you wonder whether this type of programme would get commissioned now.

It’s been more than 10 years since we last saw Stuart, Vince, and Nathan and all the other characters popping up on our screens, but the impact they left is phenomenal. Before the show gay men had representation on television – after all Dale Winton and Julian Clary were extremely popular – but this was the first time a group of gay characters were central to an entire series, and not just a few extra characters added on at the end.

Since the show left the airwaves it paved the way for multiple gay characters and storylines in a whole variety of different shows. It isn’t unusual these days to turn on any soap opera and see several gay characters, something that wasn’t really seen before the turn of the new millennium, which was just after Queer as Folk. Gay men and women now had a significant part in soaps, dramas and comedy shows, allowing the public to see that gay people are everywhere and that we’re just normal people.

However, whereas we do get multiple gay characters frequenting the Rovers Return or the Queen Vic, gay specific shows seem to be very few and far between. There was Sugar Rush on Channel 4 that came around in 2004, and now we have Lip Service, which was first introduced in 2010, but that means that in the 11 years between Queer as Folk and Lip Service there was only one other UK television show that focused primarily on gay characters.

Maybe it’s because there just aren’t people out there writing these kinds of programmes now or maybe they feel that after Queer as Folk there wasn’t much more to be done – I mean who would want to take on the amazing Russell T Davies? But it could also have something to do with attitudes. In the last few years there have been multiple complaints made to Ofcom regarding gay people on screen in shows such as Coronation Street, Eastenders and Torchwood, but why is this? Surely attitudes have become more diverse in the last 10 years since Queer as Folk came out, or maybe due to the lack of gay central shows people are forgetting about the impact that was made a decade ago, or maybe it’s as simple as people were a little bit more open and curious back in the 90s.

It does appear that given the length of time between these gay central shows and the complaints received about soap operas, that if Queer as Folk were to be pitched today and not 10 years ago, then it wouldn’t have been made. Then again if it had never been made in the first place I doubt there would be many gay people in soaps today.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, just recently it was announced that comedian Sue Perkins will be staring in a comedy series for BBC2 called Heading Out, which will see Perkins play a vet who is afraid to come out to her parents.

So maybe we are about to turn a corner and see more LGBT focused programmes again where gay people play the leads, but whether something like Queer As Folk will come along again is a different matter all together.

What's Wrong With Gay Sex?

Originally posted on www.gailymail.co.uk

So yet again there are people complaining about the display of man-on-man sex on television. In the firing line this time, Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood.

It was announced recently that the BBC had received around 500 complaints in relation to a sex scene between the television show’s main character Captain Jack Harkness (played by openly gay actor John Barrowman) and another man.

A number of the complaints were saying that the scenes were unsuitable for children. Now the last time I checked, the show is broadcast after the 9pm watershed (which was introduced so children wouldn’t be exposed to scenes of a sexual nature), therefore allowing the display of such things as sex on screen. So the real question is why are these children watching the programme? Surely the parents should know what to expect and therefore prevent their children from watching – it’s as simple as that.

What is truly annoying about this whole situation is that during a previous episode of Torchwood there was a sex scene shown between one of the lead characters Rex and a woman – were there any complaints about that? As far as I am aware there were not. So why do people find it acceptable to allow their children access to straight sex on screen but as soon as it’s two men all hell breaks loose and it is deemed as ‘disgusting’ and ‘irrelevant’?

A number of people have deemed these scenes ‘pointless’ and as I mentioned earlier ‘irrelevant to the plot.’ But why is a gay sex scene between the lead character and a male love interest, who later goes on to become a key part in the storyline, irrelevant and a sex scene between a man and woman, which could have been left out in all fairness, be deemed acceptable? It makes absolutely no sense what so ever.

As a big fan of Torchwood I can understand why the sex scene was included in the show – it not only further develops the character of Jack, but also develops the plot line, but people don’t seem to see this as they are too blinded by the fact that two men have just kissed. Believe me it does happen. Which makes me wonder, if Jack were having sex with a woman, would there have been a commotion? Probably not as these fans have already proved they have no issue with two straight people having sex on screen.

The BBC has come forward and defended its actions for showing the scene, explaining to the narrow-minded fans that allow their children to watch TV after 9pm, that the show was on after the watershed, so therefore such scenes should be expected. The BBC has also stated that it aims to depict sexual relationships in an honest, realistic way, which they have done, and good on them for defending their actions. However they did edit down a sex scene earlier on in the series as they deemed it too explicit for UK audiences, which I find absolutely ridiculous considering the scene was aired in full on American television, and we all know their rules on what can and can’t be be seen on TV compared to over here. So if it’s good enough for America, why isn’t it good enough for the UK?

This is only the latest example in an ongoing apparent attack on gays on screen. Recently there was a huge debate in the media about there being too many gay characters in UK soaps, so obviously Eastenders and Coronation Street were in the firing line then. But now it looks as though some UK television viewers are just out to attack everything gay on TV, I mean 12 years ago Queer as Folk aired in the UK and was shocking but I honestly thought audiences had come a long way since then and now accepted gay people, but apparently not.

The perceived acceptance of us gays by some in society is a case of “I don’t care if they are gay, but I just don’t want to see it.” Well this is what I gather from the attack on television anyway. But guess what, gay people do exist and we deserve just as much exposure in the society we live in as straights. I mean if someone complained about a black person on television there would be uproar, but it seems that it’s still ‘open season’ where gay people are concerned.

It looks as though we still have a long way to go before people accept us on television, but I’m giving a big thumbs-up to both Torchwood and the BBC for sticking to their guns and defending something that deserves a place on TV and in society.

We Remember: Beautiful Thing

Originally published on www.differentscene.co.uk

Re-wind back to 1996 and the laws were completely different for gay people in the United Kingdom, Section 28 still existed which prevented the ‘promotion’ or ‘teaching’ of homosexuality, meaning the discussion of gay relationships in schools weren’t allowed, and the legal age for gay sex was eighteen year old, two years older than that of straight people.

But amongst all this one film emerged in 1996, Beautiful Thing.

The film, which initially started life as a play back in 1993 focused on the developing relationship between two teenage boys living on a working class estate in South East London, as they both come to terms with the fact that they are gay.

The film truly is magical as it focuses on Jamie and Ste, as they gradually realise that they are both gay and ultimately from what you can see as a viewer, fall in love. The film doesn’t concentrate on copious amounts sex, clubbing or drug taking which would later emerge in hard hitting controversial programmes such as Queer as Folk and Sugar Rush, but is instead a truly beautiful coming of age story for these two boys, which young gay boys can resonate with at some point or another.

Beautiful thing is driven by some brilliant performances, most notably Linda Henry’s (Shirley from Eastenders) performance as Sandra, Jamie’s mother, as she realises her son is gay and as she comically points out “will never have grandchildren.” Here instead of seeing a mother worry or cry over the thought of having a gay son, she truly embraces him, sending out the message to young gay boys all around that it is ok to be gay.

As the film progresses we finally get to the true realisation at the end of the film (which I won’t spoil) between the two boys, and as Mama Cass sings you out, the film and this final scene, truly is a beautiful thing.

We Remember: Queer as Folk UK

Originally posted on www.differentscene.co.uk

Now the last time we did one of these we looked at Queer as Folk USA, this time we’re going to look at the original British version of the show.

The programme courted controversy from the get go because of its unashamed portrayal of its openly homosexual characters and although the show only ran for 10 episodes between 1999 and 2000, the impact they had on openly gay representations in the media was enormous to say the least.

Queer as Folk achieved excellent ratings, produced a highly successful soundtrack, inspired the American remake (helping break boundaries across the pond) and was used to celebrate Channel 4s 25^th birthday celebrations.

I like many other young fans of the show learnt about the show through its impact it had on British television and at the age of 15 bought the deluxe edition box set, and have been in love the show ever since.

From the underlying love between Vince and Stuart, the naivety and coming of age story that surrounded Nathan to the explicit sex scene and endless amounts of humour, shock, love and compassion that the show emits, it is truly one of the best television shows ever made, and is a significant piece in homosexual representation.

This programme is the essential must watch for anyone looking for a great piece of gay television. Plus it also contains Charlie Hunnam circa 1999, what more could you ask for?

Remembering Queer as Folk USA!

Originally posted on www.differentscene.co.uk

Now most people have heard of Queer as Folk whether it’s the British version or the American version. But for this I am going to concentrate on the American version of the TV show (don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about the original UK version). Unlike its British inspiration, which ran for a mere yet unforgettable 10 episodes the American version ran for an incredible five series consisting of 83 episodes which when you think about it is a remarkable feat for an American TV show, considering the majority of them rarely make it past the mid-season finale.

Queer as Folk on the other hand was a huge success across the pond becoming the number one show on its broadcast channel Showtime and earned a huge amount through advertising.

The show concentrated on the lives of a group of gay men, a lesbian couple and a radical gay rights campaigning mother of one of the lead gay men living in Pittsburgh. The significance of this show was cemented in its unashamed forthright way of dealing with homosexual lives in the 21^st century concentrating on controversial storylines involving coming out, drug addiction and gay bashing along with topical storylines surrounding same sex marriage and gay adoption, and didn’t shy away from dealing with something most American television shows were a little afraid of showing; gay sex, which was demonstrated in its explicit portrayal of homosexual sex within its first episode and throughout the remaining 82 episodes.

I recently finished a marathon run of watching Queer as Folk USA, which I must say I enjoyed thoroughly. As a huge fan of the UK series I was a little afraid of an American remake (as I am sure a number of other people were or may still be worried about), and although the show may be very similar to UK edition in the first series at times, it adds its own twist and really comes through as a TV show in its own right, separate from the original. The show really comes into its own during the second series with its combination of humour and satire of gay culture along with its more political relevance towards the end of the series, and the continuous love between key characters Justin and Brian throughout is enough to get anyone hooked.

This show is a must watch for anyone gay or straight, and in particular fans of the original show, but it doesn’t matter if you haven’t seen that version as this show has plenty for you, and its significance in gay culture across the world should be more than enough to make you want to see it. So sit back and enjoy and get ready for the long haul, as this show will have you hooked almost instantly.