The seri fale of “Killg Eve” fell victim to the “Bury Your Gays” trope. Viewers served – and serve – better.
Contents:
- BURY YOUR GAYS: WHY ‘THE 100,’ ‘WALKG DEAD’ DEATHS ARE PROBLEMATIC (GUT COLUMN)
- WHY DO THE GAY CHARACTER ALWAYS HAVE TO DIE?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY BRENT HARTGERMARCH 9, 2010/3:32 PMBY BRENT HARTGERMARCH 9, 2010 / 3:32 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHY DO THE GAY CHARACTER ALWAYS HAVE TO DIE?","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-03-09T20:32:31.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-03-09T20:32:31.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BRENT HARTGER","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OKAY, SO THE HEADLE OF THIS ARTICLE IS A LTLE MISLEADG: GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN DON’T ALWAYS DIE. PLENTY OF GAY AND BISEXUAL CHARACTERS HAVE LIVED LONG HAPPY LIV – AND MORE ARE LIVG THAT WAY ALL THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT LET’S FACE : SOMETIM SEEMS LIKE THE GAY CHARACTER ALWAYS DI. AND THEY ALMOST CERTALY DIE MORE THAN THEIR NUMBERS WOULD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ATHS OF THE TWO GAY CHARACTERS ON SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND ARE ONLY THE MOST RECENT, BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER EXAMPL:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DALE TOMASSON, BIG LOVE: SUICI (2010){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FELIX GAETA, BATTLTAR GALACTI: EXECUTED (2009){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EDDIE, TE BLOOD: MURRED (2008) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALEX, IN TREATMENT: SUICI (2008) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IANTO JON, TORCHWOOD: MURRED BY ALIENS (2009) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}11-12, THE PRISONER: SUICI (2009) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}909, THE PRISONER: MURRED (2009){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOSEPH, KGS: MURRED (2009) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OMAR LTLE, THE WIRE: MURRED (2008) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RAY FISKE, DAMAG: SUICI (2007) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEVE, REAPER: SUALTY OF MON WAR (2008) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VO, THE SOPRANOS: MURRED (2006) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SALIM, SLEEPER CELL (2006) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CASSADY CASABLANS, VERONI MARS: SUICI (2006) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND THE ARE JT THE AD REGULAR, OR AT LEAST FEATURED, TV CHARACTERS. GAY OR BISEXUAL MEN HAVE EQUENTLY POPPED UP AS “GUT” CHARACTERS ON SHOWS LIKE CSI, THE MENTALIST, GHOST WHISPERER, SUPERNATURAL, AND LAW & ORR – ONLY TO DIE, OFTEN BEFORE THE OPENG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INED, ADDN TO THE AD GAYS ON SPARTAC AND BIG LOVE, THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE ALSO SEEN GAY VICTIMS ON LAW & ORR: SVU AND NCIS: LOS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S GOG ON HERE? DO HOLLYWOOD HAVE A GAY ATH WISH?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LET’S GET ONE THG STRAIGHT: A GAY OR BISEXUAL CHARACTER DYG IS NOT NECSARILY AN DITN OF HOMOPHOBIA OR BIAS. CHARACTERS DIE ON TELEVISN A LOT. IT’S LLED “DRAMA” FOR A REASON, AND THERE’S NO MORE CLASSIC A NOUEMENT FOR A CHARACTER’S STORY ARC, OR CG CINT FOR ANOTHER CHARACTER’S SUBSEQUENT EMOTNAL VELOPMENT, THAN THE ATH OF ANOTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPARATAC: BLOOD AND SAND'S SPARTAC FDS PIETROS' HANGG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SURE ENOUGH, “CHARACTER VELOPMENT” IS UALLY HOW THE WRERS JTIFY THE ATHS: ’S HOW JOSS WHEDON JTIFIED THE ATH OF TARA ON BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER; ’S HOW RSELL T. DAVI FEND THE ATH OF IANTO ON TORCHWOOD; AND ’S HOW STEVEN DEKNIGHT MOST RECENTLY EXPLAED THE ATHS OF BAR AND PIETROS ON SPARTAC: BLOOD AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND MAYBE MAK SENSE CERTA WAYS THAT GAY CHARACTERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE THAN STRAIGHT CHARACTERS. SHOWS LIKE COLD CASE AND GREY’S ANATOMY HAVE FEATURED EXTREMELY TOUCHG EPISOS WHERE GUT GAY CHARACTERS DIED, BUT THE EPISOS THEMSELV WERE DRAMATIZG THE BIAS THAT GAY AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE OFTEN STILL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, WHAT HOLLYWOOD WRERS NEVER MENTN, AND UALLY DON’T EVEN SEEM TO BE AWARE OF, IS THE FACT THAT THE (OFTEN BTAL) ATH OF A GAY CHARACTER IS A LONGSTANDG WRERS’ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE! THE DEAD GAY GUY CLICHE! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1989, FILM HISTORIAN VO RSO PUBLISHED A SEND EDN OF HIS NOW-LANDMARK BOOK THE CELLULOID CLOSET, ANALYZG THE WAY GAY AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE HAD BEEN STEREOTYPED SCE THE CEPTN OF CEMA, CLUDG THE EQUENCY WH WHICH GAY CHARACTERS ARE KILLED OFF, OFTEN SEEMGLY “PUNISHED” FOR VLATG SOCIAL NORMS. HE EVEN CLUD A “NECROLOGY” WH A LIST OF 39 ATHS MAJOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RSO END THE BOOK WH A NOW-FAMO RANT: “IT HAS BEE CLEAR…THAT WHAT WE NEED IS NO MORE FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALY … GAY VISIBILY HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN AN ISSUE THE MOVI. GAYS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VISIBLE. IT’S HOW THEY HAVE BEEN VISIBLE THAT HAS REMAED OFFENSIVE FOR ALMOST A CENTURY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALBY FDS DALE'S HANGG BODY ON BIG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT FOR GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN SCE RSO’S BOOK WAS PUBLISHED, BOTH ON-SCREEN AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT HAVE THEY CHANGED PLETELY? OR HAS THE CLICHé OF THE DEAD GAY GUY SIMPLY MUTATED ONTO TELEVISN A MORE SOPHISTITED FORM?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT MIGHT BE PART OF , BUT A MORE SATISFYG EXPLANATN IS THAT GAY CHARACTERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE SIMPLY BEE THEY’RE FAR MORE LIKELY TO BE SUPPORTG, NOT LEADG, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOTICED A LOT OF AIN AMERIN POLICE CHIEFS, DOCTORS, AND JUDG ON TV OVER THE YEARS? LATELY, THERE’S ALSO THE CLICHé OF THE INDIAN AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT’S NOT JT THAT WELL-MEANG PRODUCERS AND STG DIRECTORS OF TELEVISN SHOWS WANT TO REMD VIEWERS THAT THERE ARE, FACT, PLENTY OF MORY POLICE CHIEFS, JUDG, AND DOCTORS (PECIALLY URBAN AREAS, WHERE MANY OF THE SHOWS ARE SET).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT’S ALSO THE FACT THAT LEADG CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN ARE ALMOST ALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO RPONDG TO PRSURE OM VIEWERS AND MORY ACTIVISTS, WORKS AND PRODUCERS MAKE THEIR SHOWS MORE RACIALLY DIVERSE BY STG PERIPHERAL CHARACTERS LIKE DOCTORS, JUDG, AND POLICE CHIEFS WH MORY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOLLYWOOD ULD ALSO MAKE THEIR SHOWS MORE DIVERSE BY WRG MORE MORY LEADG CHARACTERS, AND THERE ARE HTS THE NEW SLATE OF PILOTS NOW VELOPMENT THAT THEY MAY BE MAKG PROGRS TOWARD THAT. IN THE MEANTIME, THEY DO THE NEXT BT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN SHORT, THE STAT QUO IS THE TV CLICHé WHERE ALL THE LEADG CHARACTERS, THE ON WH THE PLITED, TERTG AND ONGOG STORYL, TEND TO BE WHE, WHILE MANY OF THE PERIPHERAL OR SUPPORTG CHARACTERS TEND TO BE RACIAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNFORTUNATELY, THIS RERC ANOTHER STEREOTYPE WHICH WHE PEOPLE ARE POWERFUL AND ACTIVE, WHILE NON-WHE PEOPLE (EVEN ON POSNS OF “THORY”) ARE REACTIVE AND OFTEN EFFECTUAL (TO RERCE THE MA CHARACTER’S “NOBLE," POSIVE QUALI).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FELIX GAETA AWAS EXECUTN ON BATTLTAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SAME THG IS TE FOR GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN: THEY PLAY THE SUPPORTG ROL, NOT THE LEADG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN FACT, THE CURRENT NUMBER OF LEADG GAY CHARACTERS ON BROADST SCRIPTED AMERIN TELEVISN IS … ZERO. (CAMERON AND MCHELL ON MORN FAY, AND KEV ON BROTHERS & SISTERS MAY BE LEADG CHARACTERS, BUT ONLY ENSEMBLE STS.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALL THE OTHER MOST WELL-KNOWN GAY CHARACTERS – KURT ON GLEE, MARC ON UGLY BETTY, CALV ON GREEK, AND SO ON, ALONG WH ALL THE CHARACTERS LISTED ABOVE – ARE SENDARY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEADG CHARACTERS ALMOST NEVER DIE (UNLS THE ACTOR MANDS A RAISE!).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SUPPORTG CHARACTERS, MEANWHILE, SOMETIM DO. AFTER ALL, DRAMATILLY SPEAKG, ’S THEIR JOB TO SUPPORT THE LEADG CHARACTER – TO BOLSTER HIS OR HER EMOTNAL JOURNEY WHICHEVER WAY IS THE MOST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE! HOW E WE NEVER GET TO BE SPARTAC? {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON A SHOW LIKE SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND WHERE THE TLE CHARACTER WILL OBVLY EVENTUALLY BEE THE OUTRAGED REBEL SLAVE OF HISTORY, MAK PERFECT SENSE THAT BAR AND PIETROS, ALONG WH MANY OTHER NOCENT PEOPLE, HAVE TO DIE, BTAL, TRAGIC WAYS. IT’S WHAT MOTIVAT SPARTAC TO BEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON CRIM SHOWS LIKE CSI AND SVU THAT ARE ABOUT CRIME AND MURR, ALSO MAK SENSE THAT ANY “GUT” GAY ROL WOULD BE MURR VICTIMS (OR MURRERS, ANOTHER POTENTIAL GAY CLICHE). THE SHOWS SERVE CRED FOR BEG AT LEAST SOMEWHAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT TO ALL THOSE WRERS WHO JTIFY THE ATHS OF THEIR GAY CHARACTERS WH THE ARGUMENT THAT “’S ALL ABOUT CHARACTER AND STORY”: YOU YOURSELF ARE NOT SEEG THE WHOLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SURE, THE PARTICULAR STORYLE OF ANY GIVEN SHOW, THE GAY GUY MIGHT HAVE TO DIE. BUT THAT SHOW EXISTS A LARGER CULTURAL NTEXT, ONE THAT CLUS THIS LONGSTANDG WRERS’ TROPE OF THE DEAD GAY GUY, AND ONE THAT CLUS ALMOST NO LEADG GAY CHARACTERS. INED, OF THE MANY VAR "CRIME" ANCHIS, ONLY A SGLE SHOW, LAW & ORR: SVU, HAS A REGULAR GAY CHARACTER – A MOR ONE WHO DIDN'T E OUT UNTIL EIGHT YEARS TO THE SHOW'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ARGUMENT IS OFTEN MA THAT, “IF GAY VIEWERS WANT GAY CHARACTERS TO BE TREATED EQUALLY ON TELEVISN, THEY HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT SOMETIM BAD THGS WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THAT’S PRECISELY THE POT: AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO LEADG GAY CHARACTERS, GAY CHARACTERS AREN’T BEG TREATED EQUALLY. WE’RE GETTG ALL OF THE TRMA AND TRAGEDY OF THE GAY ATH (AND THE VRL DIRECTED AT THE GAY VILLA), BUT ALMOST NONE OF THE PLEASURE OF THE GAY LEADG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RAY FISKE CIS TO END ALL ON DAMAG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND JT AS WH RACIAL MORI, ’S MAKG ALL GAY PEOPLE SEEM LS POWERFUL, MORE LIKELY TO BE A “VICTIM,” THAN STRAIGHT PEOPLE. WE NEVER GET TO BE SPARTAC, THE GUY WHO MAK TO THE END OF THE STORY, THE GUY WHO ENDS UP CHANGG THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ED TO BE A SIAR CLICHé HORROR MOVI WHERE SEEMED LIKE THE BLACK SUPPORTG CHARACTER ALWAYS HAD TO DIE – FOR EXACTLY THE SAME REASONS THAT GAY CHARACTERS NOW SO OFTEN DIE. THAT'S CHANGED SOMEWHAT – PART, BEE THE CLICHé WAS SO WILY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVERY SHOW ON TELEVISN WH A GAY CHARACTER PROBABLY SERV SOME MEASURE OF CRED (ASSUMG ’S NOT A BLATANT OR OFFENSIVE STEREOTYPE), BEE SUCH CHARACTERS ARE STILL NTROVERSIAL FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO IS UNFAIR OR UNTERPRODUCTIVE FOR GAY VIEWERS TO ASK, LIKE OLIVER TWIST, MORE OF HOLLYWOOD?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF SO, ’S ALSO UNTER-PRODUCTIVE FOR AIN AMERINS TO LOOK AT ALL THOSE MORY JUDG AND POLICE CHIEFS AND DOCTORS, AND SAY, “THANKS A LOT FOR THAT, BUT YOU DO REALIZE THAT THAT’S NOT ENOUGH, RIGHT? PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE AWARE THAT THIS ISN’T ‘TE’ EQUALY OR DIVERSY!”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH NO GENUNE LEADG GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN, AND ONLY A SMATTERG OF SUPPORTG GAY ON, ALSO MAK SENSE THAT WE GAY AND BISEXUAL VIEWERS MIGHT BEE MORE EMOTNALLY ATTACHED TO THE CHARACTERS THAN STRAIGHT VIEWERS DO, AND MIGHT EXPERIENCE THEM A MORE PERSONAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WHEN THE CHARACTERS DIE, OFTEN BTALLY, WE MIGHT EXPERIENCE THAT A MORE PERSONAL WAY TOO. IS CRAZY TO EXPECT WRERS AND PRODUCERS TO BE A LTLE SENSIVE TO THAT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOCIAL PROGRS PROBABLY ALWAYS SEEMS TOO SLOW TO THE MORY WHO IS EAGER FOR CHANGE, JT AS PROBABLY ALWAYS SEEMS TOO FAST FOR THE GREATER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT AS NICE AS IS TO SEE MORE GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN, WOULD BE NICER STILL TO SEE MORE OF THEM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
- DEAD BY DAYLIGHT MA ONE OF S MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS GAY, AND OPNS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE
- 'BURY YOUR GAYS': WHY ARE SO MANY LBIAN TV CHARACTERS DYG OFF?
- THIS 'WALKG DEAD' CHARACTER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GAY
- JONATHAN D. LEWIS, GAY ACTIVIST AGAST PROP. 8 AND DADT, DEAD AT 64
BURY YOUR GAYS: WHY ‘THE 100,’ ‘WALKG DEAD’ DEATHS ARE PROBLEMATIC (GUT COLUMN)
* dead gay characters *
As the "Bury Your Gays" trope ntu unabated to the 21st-century, seems a cent time to look back at the most untimely and unfivable sualti of drama on the small screen. But for viewers all-too-faiar wh the pa of watchg a queer character meet a tragic end – a trope referred to as “Buryg/Bury Your Gays” – felt like a shot to the back.
While few expected a perfect endg, many saw Villanelle’s ath as another sordid entry the “Bury Your Gays” trope bee, like other televisn and film moments unted among the offenrs, an LGBTQ+ character was killed off dub narrative fashn, and a way that unfortably centered on her sexualy. There is a difference between a typil ath and one that adher to harmful “Bury Your Gays” narrativ.
WHY DO THE GAY CHARACTER ALWAYS HAVE TO DIE?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY BRENT HARTGERMARCH 9, 2010/3:32 PMBY BRENT HARTGERMARCH 9, 2010 / 3:32 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHY DO THE GAY CHARACTER ALWAYS HAVE TO DIE?","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-03-09T20:32:31.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-03-09T20:32:31.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BRENT HARTGER","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OKAY, SO THE HEADLE OF THIS ARTICLE IS A LTLE MISLEADG: GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN DON’T ALWAYS DIE. PLENTY OF GAY AND BISEXUAL CHARACTERS HAVE LIVED LONG HAPPY LIV – AND MORE ARE LIVG THAT WAY ALL THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT LET’S FACE : SOMETIM SEEMS LIKE THE GAY CHARACTER ALWAYS DI. AND THEY ALMOST CERTALY DIE MORE THAN THEIR NUMBERS WOULD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ATHS OF THE TWO GAY CHARACTERS ON SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND ARE ONLY THE MOST RECENT, BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER EXAMPL:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DALE TOMASSON, BIG LOVE: SUICI (2010){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FELIX GAETA, BATTLTAR GALACTI: EXECUTED (2009){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EDDIE, TE BLOOD: MURRED (2008) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALEX, IN TREATMENT: SUICI (2008) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IANTO JON, TORCHWOOD: MURRED BY ALIENS (2009) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}11-12, THE PRISONER: SUICI (2009) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}909, THE PRISONER: MURRED (2009){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOSEPH, KGS: MURRED (2009) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OMAR LTLE, THE WIRE: MURRED (2008) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RAY FISKE, DAMAG: SUICI (2007) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEVE, REAPER: SUALTY OF MON WAR (2008) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VO, THE SOPRANOS: MURRED (2006) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SALIM, SLEEPER CELL (2006) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CASSADY CASABLANS, VERONI MARS: SUICI (2006) {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND THE ARE JT THE AD REGULAR, OR AT LEAST FEATURED, TV CHARACTERS. GAY OR BISEXUAL MEN HAVE EQUENTLY POPPED UP AS “GUT” CHARACTERS ON SHOWS LIKE CSI, THE MENTALIST, GHOST WHISPERER, SUPERNATURAL, AND LAW & ORR – ONLY TO DIE, OFTEN BEFORE THE OPENG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INED, ADDN TO THE AD GAYS ON SPARTAC AND BIG LOVE, THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE ALSO SEEN GAY VICTIMS ON LAW & ORR: SVU AND NCIS: LOS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S GOG ON HERE? DO HOLLYWOOD HAVE A GAY ATH WISH?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LET’S GET ONE THG STRAIGHT: A GAY OR BISEXUAL CHARACTER DYG IS NOT NECSARILY AN DITN OF HOMOPHOBIA OR BIAS. CHARACTERS DIE ON TELEVISN A LOT. IT’S LLED “DRAMA” FOR A REASON, AND THERE’S NO MORE CLASSIC A NOUEMENT FOR A CHARACTER’S STORY ARC, OR CG CINT FOR ANOTHER CHARACTER’S SUBSEQUENT EMOTNAL VELOPMENT, THAN THE ATH OF ANOTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPARATAC: BLOOD AND SAND'S SPARTAC FDS PIETROS' HANGG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SURE ENOUGH, “CHARACTER VELOPMENT” IS UALLY HOW THE WRERS JTIFY THE ATHS: ’S HOW JOSS WHEDON JTIFIED THE ATH OF TARA ON BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER; ’S HOW RSELL T. DAVI FEND THE ATH OF IANTO ON TORCHWOOD; AND ’S HOW STEVEN DEKNIGHT MOST RECENTLY EXPLAED THE ATHS OF BAR AND PIETROS ON SPARTAC: BLOOD AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND MAYBE MAK SENSE CERTA WAYS THAT GAY CHARACTERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE THAN STRAIGHT CHARACTERS. SHOWS LIKE COLD CASE AND GREY’S ANATOMY HAVE FEATURED EXTREMELY TOUCHG EPISOS WHERE GUT GAY CHARACTERS DIED, BUT THE EPISOS THEMSELV WERE DRAMATIZG THE BIAS THAT GAY AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE OFTEN STILL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, WHAT HOLLYWOOD WRERS NEVER MENTN, AND UALLY DON’T EVEN SEEM TO BE AWARE OF, IS THE FACT THAT THE (OFTEN BTAL) ATH OF A GAY CHARACTER IS A LONGSTANDG WRERS’ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE! THE DEAD GAY GUY CLICHE! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1989, FILM HISTORIAN VO RSO PUBLISHED A SEND EDN OF HIS NOW-LANDMARK BOOK THE CELLULOID CLOSET, ANALYZG THE WAY GAY AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE HAD BEEN STEREOTYPED SCE THE CEPTN OF CEMA, CLUDG THE EQUENCY WH WHICH GAY CHARACTERS ARE KILLED OFF, OFTEN SEEMGLY “PUNISHED” FOR VLATG SOCIAL NORMS. HE EVEN CLUD A “NECROLOGY” WH A LIST OF 39 ATHS MAJOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RSO END THE BOOK WH A NOW-FAMO RANT: “IT HAS BEE CLEAR…THAT WHAT WE NEED IS NO MORE FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALY … GAY VISIBILY HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN AN ISSUE THE MOVI. GAYS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VISIBLE. IT’S HOW THEY HAVE BEEN VISIBLE THAT HAS REMAED OFFENSIVE FOR ALMOST A CENTURY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALBY FDS DALE'S HANGG BODY ON BIG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT FOR GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN SCE RSO’S BOOK WAS PUBLISHED, BOTH ON-SCREEN AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT HAVE THEY CHANGED PLETELY? OR HAS THE CLICHé OF THE DEAD GAY GUY SIMPLY MUTATED ONTO TELEVISN A MORE SOPHISTITED FORM?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT MIGHT BE PART OF , BUT A MORE SATISFYG EXPLANATN IS THAT GAY CHARACTERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE SIMPLY BEE THEY’RE FAR MORE LIKELY TO BE SUPPORTG, NOT LEADG, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOTICED A LOT OF AIN AMERIN POLICE CHIEFS, DOCTORS, AND JUDG ON TV OVER THE YEARS? LATELY, THERE’S ALSO THE CLICHé OF THE INDIAN AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT’S NOT JT THAT WELL-MEANG PRODUCERS AND STG DIRECTORS OF TELEVISN SHOWS WANT TO REMD VIEWERS THAT THERE ARE, FACT, PLENTY OF MORY POLICE CHIEFS, JUDG, AND DOCTORS (PECIALLY URBAN AREAS, WHERE MANY OF THE SHOWS ARE SET).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT’S ALSO THE FACT THAT LEADG CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN ARE ALMOST ALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO RPONDG TO PRSURE OM VIEWERS AND MORY ACTIVISTS, WORKS AND PRODUCERS MAKE THEIR SHOWS MORE RACIALLY DIVERSE BY STG PERIPHERAL CHARACTERS LIKE DOCTORS, JUDG, AND POLICE CHIEFS WH MORY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOLLYWOOD ULD ALSO MAKE THEIR SHOWS MORE DIVERSE BY WRG MORE MORY LEADG CHARACTERS, AND THERE ARE HTS THE NEW SLATE OF PILOTS NOW VELOPMENT THAT THEY MAY BE MAKG PROGRS TOWARD THAT. IN THE MEANTIME, THEY DO THE NEXT BT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN SHORT, THE STAT QUO IS THE TV CLICHé WHERE ALL THE LEADG CHARACTERS, THE ON WH THE PLITED, TERTG AND ONGOG STORYL, TEND TO BE WHE, WHILE MANY OF THE PERIPHERAL OR SUPPORTG CHARACTERS TEND TO BE RACIAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNFORTUNATELY, THIS RERC ANOTHER STEREOTYPE WHICH WHE PEOPLE ARE POWERFUL AND ACTIVE, WHILE NON-WHE PEOPLE (EVEN ON POSNS OF “THORY”) ARE REACTIVE AND OFTEN EFFECTUAL (TO RERCE THE MA CHARACTER’S “NOBLE," POSIVE QUALI).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FELIX GAETA AWAS EXECUTN ON BATTLTAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SAME THG IS TE FOR GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN: THEY PLAY THE SUPPORTG ROL, NOT THE LEADG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN FACT, THE CURRENT NUMBER OF LEADG GAY CHARACTERS ON BROADST SCRIPTED AMERIN TELEVISN IS … ZERO. (CAMERON AND MCHELL ON MORN FAY, AND KEV ON BROTHERS & SISTERS MAY BE LEADG CHARACTERS, BUT ONLY ENSEMBLE STS.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALL THE OTHER MOST WELL-KNOWN GAY CHARACTERS – KURT ON GLEE, MARC ON UGLY BETTY, CALV ON GREEK, AND SO ON, ALONG WH ALL THE CHARACTERS LISTED ABOVE – ARE SENDARY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEADG CHARACTERS ALMOST NEVER DIE (UNLS THE ACTOR MANDS A RAISE!).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SUPPORTG CHARACTERS, MEANWHILE, SOMETIM DO. AFTER ALL, DRAMATILLY SPEAKG, ’S THEIR JOB TO SUPPORT THE LEADG CHARACTER – TO BOLSTER HIS OR HER EMOTNAL JOURNEY WHICHEVER WAY IS THE MOST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE! HOW E WE NEVER GET TO BE SPARTAC? {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON A SHOW LIKE SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND WHERE THE TLE CHARACTER WILL OBVLY EVENTUALLY BEE THE OUTRAGED REBEL SLAVE OF HISTORY, MAK PERFECT SENSE THAT BAR AND PIETROS, ALONG WH MANY OTHER NOCENT PEOPLE, HAVE TO DIE, BTAL, TRAGIC WAYS. IT’S WHAT MOTIVAT SPARTAC TO BEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON CRIM SHOWS LIKE CSI AND SVU THAT ARE ABOUT CRIME AND MURR, ALSO MAK SENSE THAT ANY “GUT” GAY ROL WOULD BE MURR VICTIMS (OR MURRERS, ANOTHER POTENTIAL GAY CLICHE). THE SHOWS SERVE CRED FOR BEG AT LEAST SOMEWHAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT TO ALL THOSE WRERS WHO JTIFY THE ATHS OF THEIR GAY CHARACTERS WH THE ARGUMENT THAT “’S ALL ABOUT CHARACTER AND STORY”: YOU YOURSELF ARE NOT SEEG THE WHOLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SURE, THE PARTICULAR STORYLE OF ANY GIVEN SHOW, THE GAY GUY MIGHT HAVE TO DIE. BUT THAT SHOW EXISTS A LARGER CULTURAL NTEXT, ONE THAT CLUS THIS LONGSTANDG WRERS’ TROPE OF THE DEAD GAY GUY, AND ONE THAT CLUS ALMOST NO LEADG GAY CHARACTERS. INED, OF THE MANY VAR "CRIME" ANCHIS, ONLY A SGLE SHOW, LAW & ORR: SVU, HAS A REGULAR GAY CHARACTER – A MOR ONE WHO DIDN'T E OUT UNTIL EIGHT YEARS TO THE SHOW'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ARGUMENT IS OFTEN MA THAT, “IF GAY VIEWERS WANT GAY CHARACTERS TO BE TREATED EQUALLY ON TELEVISN, THEY HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT SOMETIM BAD THGS WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THAT’S PRECISELY THE POT: AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO LEADG GAY CHARACTERS, GAY CHARACTERS AREN’T BEG TREATED EQUALLY. WE’RE GETTG ALL OF THE TRMA AND TRAGEDY OF THE GAY ATH (AND THE VRL DIRECTED AT THE GAY VILLA), BUT ALMOST NONE OF THE PLEASURE OF THE GAY LEADG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RAY FISKE CIS TO END ALL ON DAMAG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND JT AS WH RACIAL MORI, ’S MAKG ALL GAY PEOPLE SEEM LS POWERFUL, MORE LIKELY TO BE A “VICTIM,” THAN STRAIGHT PEOPLE. WE NEVER GET TO BE SPARTAC, THE GUY WHO MAK TO THE END OF THE STORY, THE GUY WHO ENDS UP CHANGG THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ED TO BE A SIAR CLICHé HORROR MOVI WHERE SEEMED LIKE THE BLACK SUPPORTG CHARACTER ALWAYS HAD TO DIE – FOR EXACTLY THE SAME REASONS THAT GAY CHARACTERS NOW SO OFTEN DIE. THAT'S CHANGED SOMEWHAT – PART, BEE THE CLICHé WAS SO WILY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVERY SHOW ON TELEVISN WH A GAY CHARACTER PROBABLY SERV SOME MEASURE OF CRED (ASSUMG ’S NOT A BLATANT OR OFFENSIVE STEREOTYPE), BEE SUCH CHARACTERS ARE STILL NTROVERSIAL FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO IS UNFAIR OR UNTERPRODUCTIVE FOR GAY VIEWERS TO ASK, LIKE OLIVER TWIST, MORE OF HOLLYWOOD?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF SO, ’S ALSO UNTER-PRODUCTIVE FOR AIN AMERINS TO LOOK AT ALL THOSE MORY JUDG AND POLICE CHIEFS AND DOCTORS, AND SAY, “THANKS A LOT FOR THAT, BUT YOU DO REALIZE THAT THAT’S NOT ENOUGH, RIGHT? PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE AWARE THAT THIS ISN’T ‘TE’ EQUALY OR DIVERSY!”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH NO GENUNE LEADG GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN, AND ONLY A SMATTERG OF SUPPORTG GAY ON, ALSO MAK SENSE THAT WE GAY AND BISEXUAL VIEWERS MIGHT BEE MORE EMOTNALLY ATTACHED TO THE CHARACTERS THAN STRAIGHT VIEWERS DO, AND MIGHT EXPERIENCE THEM A MORE PERSONAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WHEN THE CHARACTERS DIE, OFTEN BTALLY, WE MIGHT EXPERIENCE THAT A MORE PERSONAL WAY TOO. IS CRAZY TO EXPECT WRERS AND PRODUCERS TO BE A LTLE SENSIVE TO THAT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOCIAL PROGRS PROBABLY ALWAYS SEEMS TOO SLOW TO THE MORY WHO IS EAGER FOR CHANGE, JT AS PROBABLY ALWAYS SEEMS TOO FAST FOR THE GREATER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT AS NICE AS IS TO SEE MORE GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN, WOULD BE NICER STILL TO SEE MORE OF THEM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
A spate of ad gay characters forc to ask the qutn: how e we’re always the on hangg ourselv? * dead gay characters *
“Whether ’s tentnal or not, more recent moments rell a eply homophobic history and relay the ia that queerns is punishable.
The Hays Co effectively forba pictns of homosexualy, which was nsired a form sexual viancy. ” So, characters uld be gay, but only if they were portrayed negatively and received some sort of punishment.
For two s, bound by the l, gay characters on screen were evil, nnivg, and ultimately doomed. (The Amerin Psychiatric Associatn emed homosexualy to be a mental illns until 1973, and homosexual acts weren’t crimalized on a feral level until 2003. This show will be screened untri where homosexualy is illegal, where women’s sexual choic are ntrolled and where trans inti are vlently subjugated.
DEAD BY DAYLIGHT MA ONE OF S MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS GAY, AND OPNS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE
The velopers of Dead by Daylight announced on Wednday that David Kg, a character troduced to the game 2017, is gay. Reactns ranged om joyful to outraged, and a Redd thread discsg * dead gay characters *
If ed those men were gay had a signifint effect upon history and has a somewhat signifint effect on the events my book … I wanted to clu the full range of humany, cludg the full range of sexual preferenc and sex is an important part of the books. Vto Rso, the gay film cric, noted a trend some film reprentatn where the gay man is prented only to meet an unhappy, punishg and often fatal endg.
But world where Bnei has jt joed the list of pariah natns that have the ath penalty for male homosexualy, a queer character’s murr might reasonably be argued to rry more ntemporary weight and ronance. The "Bury Your Gays" trope has bee a part of cultual knowledge recent years, but not everyone has gotten the memo.
'BURY YOUR GAYS': WHY ARE SO MANY LBIAN TV CHARACTERS DYG OFF?
If you thk you're seeg more lbian, gay, bisexual, transgenr, and queer characters on televisn, 's bee you are. * dead gay characters *
Shows like Killg Eve, and most recently, Hoe of the Dragon, are still btally and needlsly killg off their queer characters stead of lettg them be are 15 of the most egreg -- and btal -- recent exampl of the Bury Your Gays trope. All throughout s n, fans were beggg for a gay uple to be troduced on Netflix's Voltron.
Y, It is a horror movie about a murro embodiment of evil, but that don't mean that viewers were ready to see an extremely graphic gay-bashg scene to open the film up. At the begng of the movie we travel to Derry's past, where we see two gay men on a date get terpted by a group of homophobic bigots, beat up, and thrown to the 's an uncserly upsettg scene that followed a great first movie.
This year, the Halloween anchise brought s first gay characters s 43-year history.
THIS 'WALKG DEAD' CHARACTER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GAY
Big John and Ltle John were troduced Halloween Kills as jt an average gay uple, who unfortunately, lived the hoe that Michael Meyers grew up . In the latt episo, we fally got to see the show's lone gay male character, Laenor Valaryon, get a lover. The Hays Co, which banned nudy, suggtive dancg, ltful kissg, and of urse, pictns of "homosexualy" on screen.
JONATHAN D. LEWIS, GAY ACTIVIST AGAST PROP. 8 AND DADT, DEAD AT 64
Increasg acceptance over the past few s has allowed gay men to e out of the cematic closet, albe a limed pacy. At some pot, 's revealed that his homophobia is rooted a "surprisg" revelatn -- the jock is actually gay. GLAAD revealed at a panel Augt that 62 gay and bisexual televisn characters were killed off on televisn the past two years, cludg on Orange Is the New Black, Hoe of Cards, Pretty Ltle Liars, The Walkg Dead, and Empire.
One of Hollywood's most treasured pictns of queer men is the character of the sick, praved gay man.