Laugh it Off: gay men in

contemporary sitcoms

Madison Messer

Elevator Pitch!Topic: The portrayal of gay men on televisionFocus: Sitcoms and their effects on stereotypesTarget: Sitcom viewers and the gay communityMethod: Content analysis and surveyGoal: to determine whether gay characters in sitcoms perpetuate or diminish stereotypes

Lit. Review History of the gay community on televisionTelevision & gay menHomosexual theoriesInfluence of gay characters (sitcoms) on viewers

-straight & homosexual

Lit. Review Quotes“Even when gay characters are portrayed on television, they are often shown in an asexual content” (Fisher et al 2007, 170).“Since sexual minorities are considered to be on the fringes of society and often ‘objectionable,’ it is best for these types of characters to be left out of the programming, and if they are included, they need to be assimilated in a way that does not bring them unwarranted attention” (Evans 2007, 14).

Modern Family & Will and Grace

Modern Family- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvjgqhvSKmY

Will and Grace- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9J23AqxV2s

Content AnalysisSeason 1 of Modern Family, Will and Grace, and Queer as Folk

Yes/No categoriesEx: Gay character uses term “gay”– gay character shown in career – gay character shown with significant other– reference to gay character through femininity by another character

SurveySurvey participants remain anonymous20 questions (4 answer choices)Questions genres in relation to stereotypesLooks at different types of gay characters and participants opinion on which is most entertaining/ least entertaining