LGBTQ Arts

 

We talked here these past few days about LGBTQ representation in music, film, and books.  What about the other arts though?  Well the theatre and ballet are known for having gay performers, but what about the subject matter.  Oh and how about magazines, radio, and of course television?

In brief, things are improving, but there is still a long way to go and there is still elements of transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia.  Magazines just might be the worst.  They seem to love outing celebrities, even ones who aren't ready to come out.

When That Certain Summer aired on ABC Television way back in 1972, it was the first television screenplay to sensitively explore homosexuality through the story of an American family split by divorce. Although just a tv movie with a single airing, That Certain Summer was groundbreaking.  I always remember Hal Holbrook and Martin Sheen for their sensitive portrayal of a gay couple.  It was a big deal then also for an actor to play a gay character.  Since then we've had series with leading gay roles like Will and Grace and Modern Family.

In 1961 San Francisco public television station KQED presented the first documentary on homosexuality to be seen on American television, The Rejected. (The last I checked, you can watch it on youtube).  There have been a lot of documentaries since then, many of them grossly inaccurate.

What do YOU think though?  What is missing?  What needs to be corrected?  Where are things especially good?  Will the LGBTQ community ever be treated fairly in the arts?