Speaker analyzes TV portrayal of gays

Television portrays homosexuals more frequently and with greater accuracy now than in the past, according to Stephen Capsuto, the kick-off speaker for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian Awareness Days -- or B-GLAD. Capsuto, director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Library/Archives of Philadelphia, spoke about "Network Television in the Queer Nineties" Wednesday night. Clips of television shows such as Roseanne, Melrose Place and Friends were shown on the Annenberg School for Communication's movie screen, reinforcing Capsuto's analysis of television trends regarding homosexuality. "How many people have ever seen a lesbian, gay or bisexual character on TV that you have 'bought'?" Capsuto asked the audience of approximately 30. When a fair number of hands were raised, Capsuto commented that he had asked the same question five years ago and not a single hand went up. He explained that television programs have traditionally been made by straight people for straight people, so many gay characters have been oversimplified. Capsuto theorized that a cycle exists in which minorities are first stereotyped and then portrayed with great caution. "Twenty years ago [on TV], gay men were clowns and lesbians were killers," Capsuto said. "Then they suffered from what I call the 'Sydney Poitier syndrome' -- the kindly black man who whites think is so nice." According to Capsuto, gay television characters in the '90s are improving, and networks are straying from the repressive confines of age, race and sexualization. Many entertainment programs adopted regular gay characters last fall, Capsuto said. As a result, issues such as gay youth, bisexuality and gay marriage that would not have aired four years ago are prevalent on prime-time TV. Capsuto attributed this trend to a greater number of news stories about the gay community. In addition, he said, the first generation of gay activists are beginning to fill power positions within the networks. News shows including This Week with David Brinkley, Nightline and Charlie Rose were also part of Capsuto's presentation, highlighting the frequency and diversity of the exploration of gay issues on television. Although networks have become more open, Capsuto said gays are simply a phase on mainstream television. "I think networks are going to pull back," he explained. "With the rise of cable you can 'narrowcast' shows that you can't put on CBS or prime-time. With images for us by us, there is money to be made." Students responded well to Capsuto's speech, acknowledging that he brought up interesting issues. "TV definitely is not only a reflection of society," Engineering sophomore and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Alliance co-Chairperson Dan Weiner said. "It also changes peoples' perceptions by having bisexual and gay people portrayed in a positive and normal light." Weiner added that although shows such as Melrose Place and ER may not portray gays with complete accuracy, "it's still exposure and negative exposure is better then no exposure at all." LGBA co-Chairperson Anthony Putz, a student in the College of General Studies, commended Capsuto's speech and his efforts in general. "I didn't expect to see so many different TV shows and so many portrayals of homosexuality," Putz said. "The last seven years hits us -- it's our generation. "[Capsuto] opens our eyes a little bit more every time," Putz added. Bob Schoenberg, director of the Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Center at Penn, agreed, calling Capsuto and his topic to be both "interesting and amusing." Putz said that he was pleased with the speech but hoped to get a better turnout at other B-GLAD events.