Gay characters?

[jackfaire]

I have watched Will and Grace. I have watched Jeffery. I have watched many other movies and TV shows featuring gay characters. I can only relate to one.

Jack McPhee from Dawson's Creek. I am not a jock haven't been since junior high. He was a normal guy that happened to be gay. He didn't like to wear leather. He wasn't uber macho or uber feminine. He didn't fit any stereotype of being gay that I have seen.

He was just this guy that liked guys. Watching his character has given me more confidence and ability to embrace my sexuality than anything else. So seeing as I have yet to wade out into the dating world in which I find myself.

Which characters are more realistic for what is out there. Do you think there are more Jack McPhees or Jack McFarlands?

What characters can you look up to?

[smileyeagle1021]

In movies and TV there aren't many good gay characters (I do like Kurt in Glee... even if they did pander to the stereotypes a bit).
In books however there are several great characters in books, gay, bi, and even questioning (David Feintuch had a few, Ursula Leguinne even wrote a novel where every single person was by definition bisexual).
As for me, the character I looked up to was PT Seafort in The Seafort Saga series by David Feintuch... he was a character that I could look up to. He was a guy who was by no means a gay stereotype, not into leather or a muscle boy... just a run of the mill computer geek in a committed relationship with another run of the mill guys.

[Stormraven]

Well, I don't tend to really remember many gay (male) characters, but one I do recall readily is Vanyel Ashkevron from Mercedes (Misty) Lackey's Last Herald-Mage trilogy. Not everyone likes her work, but I think she does good characters.

Lesbians tend to stick better in my memory, but judging from the OP, I don't think that's what you're looking for. :)

[AdminAssistant]

You'll also find wonderful gay/lesbian characters in plays, and not just because so many playwrights are gay. Off the top of my head, Angels in America (which is about AIDS), Take Me Out, Stop Kiss...even Spring's Awakening (the play by Wedekind, not the emokid musical). There are many more examples I'm sure, but I'm just not super duper familiar with modern plays.

[gremcint]

2 main characters in Greek, a couple characters in Heroes, A couple of characters in Stargate Universe and Torchwood.

These are all characters that are homosexuals and it's treated as a normal thing for the most part.

[smileyeagle1021]

2 main characters in Greek, a couple characters in Heroes, A couple of characters in Stargate Universe and Torchwood.

These are all characters that are homosexuals and it's treated as a normal thing for the most part.

Wait, there are gay characters in SGU?
How did I miss that... I need to start hulu'ing the episodes again this weekend.

[jackfaire]

These are all characters that are homosexuals and it's treated as a normal thing for the most part.

As in no one bats an eye or as in they aren't stereotypes.

[NateSean]

The two assassins in Diamonds are Forever weren't that flamboyant in my opinion. In fact they seemed very comfortable with who they were.

Not exactly a recent reference, but considering this was the 60's/70's I thought they did a rather decent job of portraying those two.

In the British series Coupling there's a man named Howard who is gay and he's fairly cool about it. I especially like his speech about being gay. "I was the sperm in the back that shouted, no don't send me into that big scary cave! I was the only sperm that had to be chased by the egg."

I also like Eddy and Lafayette from True Blood.

[gremcint]

As in no one bats an eye or as in they aren't stereotypes.

They aren't stereotypes. In Greek the one guy is a black, smart, normal jock, and after some initial controversy when he comes out he gets accepted and he's treated as a normal 3 dimensional character. In torchwood they just are, they all are themselves and have relationships without being afraid. The same in the others, they are normal 3 dimensional people, while the Greek one was a bit of a storyline but they treated him like a real person.

The other gay person in Greek has an awesome coming out scene.
Guy: "Guys there's something I need to tell you."
Frat Brothers: *looks worried*
Guy: "Guys I'm gay"
Frat Brothers: *Look relieved*
Frat Brothers: "Oh, we thought you found out about Beaver hitting on your sister"
Beaver: "Well she didn't look 15"
Guy:"What?"

and they move on and drop it.

Wait, there are gay characters in SGU?

Yeah, one of the women, when she goes home with the whole body switch communication thing she goes home to her femalie life partner and they have dinner and kiss and stuff. (she is the Asian IOA member)

[jackfaire]

Cool. See that's good to hear. I take it as a good sign that yesterday I saw two guys holding each other at the bus stop and no one was freaking out about it.

[BlaqueKatt]

There are many more examples I'm sure, but I'm just not super duper familiar with modern plays.

how about Tom Collins in Rent? Professor at MIT falls in love with Angel(more "flamboyant" but very comfortable with who "she" is)-one of the straight female characters states "she'd give anything for a taste of what Angel had" Referring to the loving relationship between Tom and Angel.

Brian Keene wrote some really good zombie novels where the protagonist/"hero" just happened to be gay and divorced from his wife with whom he had a son before he accepted who he was.

City of the Dead and Dead Sea (story starts with the rising)

[AdminAssistant]

how about Tom Collins in Rent? Professor at MIT falls in love with Angel(more "flamboyant" but very comfortable with who "she" is)-one of the straight female characters states "she'd give anything for a taste of what Angel had" Referring to the loving relationship between Tom and Angel.


I was trying to keep out of the realm of musicals. :)

[BlaqueKatt]

I was trying to keep out of the realm of musicals. :)

why? It's the single most popular musical of the last 50 years, and it's not "stereotypical" for anyone to like musicals-heck "seasons of love" has all but replaced "Auld Lang Syne"(still a few holdouts, but not many) as a traditional new year's eve song-at least around here.

[AdminAssistant]

why? It's the single most popular musical of the last 50 years

I realize that this is OT, but...no. Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, and/or Cats would easily have RENT beat in number of tickets sold and especially in net profits (since RENT tickets were deliberately priced lower). I would say that RENT is one of the most important musicals from the 90's, although there are some obvious weaknesses that would have been fixed had Jonathan Larson had lived long enough.

I have been to a lot of NYE parties with theatre junkies and have never heard Seasons of Love sang at midnight. I have, however, heard people break out in "La Vie Boheme" or "Happy New Year".

Back to the topic, I was simply offering some characters that fewer people would be familiar with. Of course, I thought of Angel, Tom Collins, Maureen, and Joanne, but decided...everybody knows RENT, right?

I might also suggest The Laramie Project as a powerful piece about homosexuality and homophobia.

[jackfaire]

but decided...everybody knows RENT, right?

I know of it but have never seen it.

[AdminAssistant]

I know of it but have never seen it.

The movie is very meh, but has most of the original cast members.

Now that the Broadway production is closed, there will be more regional/community/university/high school productions, so just keep an eye out. I don't think the tour is still running, sometimes they'll keep the national tour going after a Broadway show is closed, but I don't think that's the case here.

[blas87]

I've never understood why in movies, typically a gay male character is flamingly, obnoxiously hand swinging "Oh you silly savage!" "Whassup girlfriend!" hip swining flamboyantly overly gay gay gay, like that guy who is friends with Carrie on Sex and the City.

That drives me bananas. Not every gay male is that obnoxious.

[jackfaire]

That drives me bananas. Not every gay male is that obnoxious.

*Nods* Even more irritating is the gay guys that think they have to act that way to fit in.

Most people can't tell I am gay until I comment about how cute a guy is.

[smileyeagle1021]

That drives me bananas. Not every gay male is that obnoxious.

Oh tell me about it... I hate the overly flamboyant who just have to flaunt it... seriously, keep it in your pants.



Most people can't tell I am gay until I comment about how cute a guy is.

You know, I'm halfway the same way. Most people don't know, but once they do they feel stupid for not being able to see it. Apparently I'm a not very obvious really obvious gay guy.
Except when I was at the reservation call center (where every guy without a wedding wing is suspected by nature that they work in the travel industry :p ) where not only did everyone think I was obvious, they could tell which manager I was crushing on... yeah... not good.

[NateSean]

I've never understood why in movies, typically a gay male character is flamingly, obnoxiously hand swinging "Oh you silly savage!" "Whassup girlfriend!" hip swining flamboyantly overly gay gay gay, like that guy who is friends with Carrie on Sex and the City.

That drives me bananas. Not every gay male is that obnoxious.

Two words "Entertainment value". Because homosexuality isn't a response to our internal biologies, it's a life style you sexy thang you!

I think someone mentioned it earlier in the thread, but as TV goes the most mainstream gay person I've seen is Will from Will and Grace. Will is gay but he's not "all up in your face" about it as it were.

Jack is funnier than Will though but I think Jack represents that half of the gay population that is heavily stereotyped.

[draggar]

2 main characters in Greek, a couple characters in Heroes, A couple of characters in Stargate Universe and Torchwood.

These are all characters that are homosexuals and it's treated as a normal thing for the most part.

The only one I think think og in Heroes is Claire (and of course with Gretchen). They're not clear where Claire is going with it - is Gretchen a (very) good friend or a significant other?

Butyes, it is good they're not stressing on it and not making them stereotypical.

Wait, there are gay characters in SGU?
How did I miss that... I need to start hulu'ing the episodes again this weekend.

Camille is gay (the HR asian lady). She hinted it in one episode (tell her that my last thoughts wre of her - I think it was in Light part 2) and then when she goes back with a stone she visits her partner (Life).

[Kimmik]

I think the problem lies with society... "Flamers" are easier to deal with as they don't pose a hidden threat. You can tell they are gay because they lisp and sashay. Growing up in California gave me a unique slant on sexuality. My best friend and I would play rate that gay 10 was a brighter flame then the sun and a 1 was hey look he could walk into a biker bar in the south and no one would notice .. He was horrible at it.. though he was the straightest gay guy I knew.. he actually had guys tell him that he wasn't gay enough...

Yes there are very flamboyant people out there... no they are not atypical. Most of the gay guys and gals I know are your average run of the mill wtf is the meaning of life type people... but that doesnt make for good tv or movies.

[jackfaire]

Yes there are very flamboyant people out there... no they are not atypical. Most of the gay guys and gals I know are your average run of the mill wtf is the meaning of life type people... but that doesnt make for good tv or movies.

Yeah I get it. It's just annoying when a girl finds out your gay and is all, "OH my god that is so cute"

[smileyeagle1021]

Yeah I get it. It's just annoying when a girl finds out your gay and is all, "OH my god that is so cute"

or worse, "oh my God, that is so cool... we should go shopping, you could help me pick out shoes"

Ugh, I'm gay... I'm not a fashion designer and I don't like shopping.

[jackfaire]

or worse, "oh my God, that is so cool... we should go shopping, you could help me pick out shoes"

Ugh, I'm gay... I'm not a fashion designer and I don't like shopping.

My female friends are quite aware I am jeans and tshirts guy and my idea of shopping is walk in grab the cheapest pair of sneakers that fit and buy them.

[Kimmik]

or worse, "oh my God, that is so cool... we should go shopping, you could help me pick out shoes"

Ugh, I'm gay... I'm not a fashion designer and I don't like shopping.

omg my gay friend.. he is so not fashion oriented.. more like fashion blind... But I seriously can not stand flamers.. they make me want to throw something pointy at them... which is the same as people that try to act like a different race... I am so glad to be out of California. I dont see so many of the omg look a stereotype type people..

I like my gay characters like I like my straight characters... human.. you know the wtf am I doing here and why the hell is that dragon following me.

[jackfaire]

But I seriously can not stand flamers.. they make me want to throw something pointy at them...

I could hug you! What is almost as bad as flamers is when I say, "I do not/will not date flamers" then female friends try to fix me up with bonfires.

On the other end of the spectrum I don't like the uber, I am macho, guys either. I just want a regular guy sans stereotype.

[the_std]

My best friend is a gay guy, and he's definitely a flamer. Feminine/preppy dress sense, has a slight lisp, loves shopping, takes dance classes, uses the phrase "oh my god" a lot... He's been like this since he was 12 years old, when I first met him. It's who he is, just a really feminine guy. Why does this make him a bad person? Why should we be throwing something pointy at him?

[smileyeagle1021]

I could hug you! What is almost as bad as flamers is when I say, "I do not/will not date flamers" then female friends try to fix me up with bonfires.

On the other end of the spectrum I don't like the uber, I am macho, guys either. I just want a regular guy sans stereotype.

If I weren't already taken I'd give you my number ;)

Though, I am guilty of doing the occasional obviously gay act... what, I don't sing along to hold music that often :p

[jackfaire]

It's who he is, just a really feminine guy. Why does this make him a bad person? Why should we be throwing something pointy at him?

A lot of guys are this way because they work at being this way. Your friend in my experience is the exception not the rule. Also regardless I won't date these kinds of guys which for me is part of the annoyance because those seem to be the kind of guys people want to hook me up with.

My theory is that since I am not one they figure that I have to be with one after all every gay couple someone is the girl and someone is the guy. *rolls eyes*

[Kimmik]

My best friend is a gay guy, and he's definitely a flamer. Feminine/preppy dress sense, has a slight lisp, loves shopping, takes dance classes, uses the phrase "oh my god" a lot... He's been like this since he was 12 years old, when I first met him. It's who he is, just a really feminine guy. Why does this make him a bad person? Why should we be throwing something pointy at him?

I would call that effeminate not a flamer... unless he walks around with more swing in his hips then a hula girl, is "FABulous" and so on, the flamers (http://www.gurl.com/findout/label/pages/0,,710808,00.html) I speak of make a corkscrew look straight.

Personally I can not stand "anyone" that is over the top. I detest drama queens emos and any other omg omg omg look at me type. Striaght Gay Bi what ever.. those that have to be so over the top that you want to throttle them are the ones I have a problem with.

Being effeminate is fine lisping is fine.. omg is fine... hell I am an omg addict.. How ever flameing so bright I could light a smoke from across the street.. not so fine with me. But then again.. as I said... anyone like that annoys the frack out of me... Hence why I cant stand.. that borat actors last movie..

[fireheart17]

Of my gay and bisexual friends, none of them are flamers. One doesn't hide the fact he's gay since he runs the Queer Society on-campus at uni, but the rest do to an extent.

I can't really relate to any gay characters as such, since I'm not gay myself, however if I was to compare my friends to the characters on TV, there are three that stick out in my mind.

Marco and Dylan from Degrassi: The Next Generation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Del_Rossi (about 2/3 of the way down)

Lana Crawford from Neighbours. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lana_Crawford

Marco's coming out and subsequent aftermath were filmed very well and didn't depict Marco as a flamer...he might've had a bit of an odd fashion sense, but that was about it. Dylan's portrayal was pretty much as straight as they come.

[BlaqueKatt]

I don't think the tour is still running, sometimes they'll keep the national tour going after a Broadway show is closed, but I don't think that's the case here.

it just ended feb 7th (http://www.siteforrent.com/press/news/273-rent-tour-with-pascal-rapp-and-stewart-will-end-feb-7.html)-just saw the broadway tour last friday(jan 29th) with Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal.

Following visits to Toronto (Jan. 12-24) and Madison, WI (Jan. 26-31), Rent, produced by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum and Allan S. Gordon, will close Feb. 7 after its weeklong run at Sacramento's Community Center Theatre.

Pick up either the movie or the final broadway show on dvd-from netflix or your local video store-worth watching

Ugh, I'm gay... I'm not a fashion designer and I don't like shopping.

blame the media and the popularity of "queer eye for the straight guy"-I hated that show with a passion.....though as an aside my friends Jamie and Jon are the only reason I know how to wear makeup properly, however they both had jobs as female impersonators....

[smileyeagle1021]

How ever flameing so bright I could light a smoke from across the street.. not so fine with me..

You know, I can actually remember a time in high school, at a marching band competition, one of the other teams had a flag team member who was an obvious flamer... and it actually ended up getting warmer in the stands during their performance... I know it was just a coincidence, but to this day my friends and I think that is the funniest thing ever :p

Oh, back on topic, a few more characters to add (now that I've had a chance to catch up... thank you Netflix).
Jack Benjamin in Kings is an amazing character. You don't know whether to love him or hate him. On the one hand he lines himself up with the traitor William Cross, on the other, you see so many times where he redeems himself (he cannot bring himself to give false testimony at the king's order, he is unable to kill his father, and he saves David's life several times). The fact that he's gay, while central to the character, is not the character. About the only time it really comes up is in relation to his mother's quest to get him engaged to some pretty woman to bear pretty children. That and *spoiler*his final punishment from his father... rather than kill him for his betrayal he makes him live with the woman who loves him without question even though he can't bear the sight of her. *end spoiler*
Also add to the list Battlestar Galactica, Lt. Felix Gaeta and Lt. Louis Hoshi. The fact that they are a gay couple is well known, but never once is there a word said about it... just like almost every other relationship onboard ship... everyone knows about it, but everyone looks the other way and ignores it.

[elsporko]

Lafayette on true blood is a huge flamer but at the same time can kicks the asses of several people through the series and is shown to be very industries. Whether he's working as a cook, on the road crew, as a drug dealer, or on his gay porn site he is always putting in a hard days work.

[Arcade Man D]

On Modern Family, Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker are a gay couple who've adopted a daughter, Lily. Mitchell's father isn't completely comfortable with it, but he isn't a cariacture of a homophobe, either. Definitely one of the best portrayals of a same-sex couple I've seen on TV when they are actually on screen for much of the time (as the premise is a "mockumentary" style comedy about 3 families that are part of the same extended family). They're not a perfect family, but no one in that show is.