Does QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY help or hinder public opinion on gays

[BigBearJohn]

Honestly curious, that's all. Not meaning to offend ANYONE by
the question (really). Just wondering what others' opinions are.
My boss at work watches it and does not hide the fact, even though
he is married. ... and NO, I don't work for the entertainment business.

[drdon326]

1. Forgive my ignorance...is that still on ??

.

[BigBearJohn]

2. Yes. I never miss it. I enjoy it.

[drdon326]

5. What station ?? A+E ? TBS?

[babylonsister]

7. Bravo. nt

[BigBearJohn]

9. BRAVO

Tuesday nights (TONITE)

[Guy Fawkes]

3. I wouldn't say it's hurt anything...

but I'm not sure if its helped.

[iamjoy]

4. It Reinforces Stereotypes

But not all stereotypes are negative and some of them have their roots in truth.

So, I can't really say it hurts, but I don't see how it helps either.

[dsc]

6. I am honestly torn

It is nice to see gays and real ones at that, on TV. While they aren't perfect, they aren't evil or incompetent. But at the same time there are the takes on the hurtful names and the general silliness, nelliness quotient which plays to stereotypes. In the final analysis I honestly don't know.

[Atlas Mugged]

8. Yeah...

...same here. I occasionally watch it, but I'm not addicted by any means. There've been times when I've just cringed. I've never been able to handle nelly. And don't EVER call me "girlfriend"; I despise that crap.

[Elidor]

10. I once thought that shows like this provoked backlash

But I was dead wrong. The exposure helps normalize people's attitudes. I'm talking about tv shows with gays in general, as I have never seen Queer Eye. (I don't watch teevee anymore.) I think the positive outweighs the negative. Twenty years ago, such a show was unthinkable. We've come a long way, though we still have quite a ways to go.

[bridgit]

11. queer eye is harmless...qaf as well...

its the (and some of my dearest friends are queer as $3 bills and would tell you so up front while agreeing in sum total with what is to follow) crotchless cum stained leather chain-leash geek parades that scare the hell out of the 'straight' people

[billbuckhead]

12. I think it helps because it make the term "Queer" a positive adjective

I wish we could come up with something for the term "liberal".

[bridgit]

13. i agree, i say we exchange 'american' for 'liberal'...

republicans have the 'extremist right-wing goofy ass nut-ball' thing all tied up = they own that one outright...we need to pin the tail on that donkey

[BigBearJohn]

15. how about the "intelligentsia"

[bridgit]

39. it seems i agree with you as well...

:hi:

[salminen]

14. sadly, I think it hurts

Honestly, I think that show did more to bring the 'fear' of gay people into the homes of middle America than just about anything. All these sloppy rednecks all of a sudden are seeing this show of gay people making fun of straight people for not dressing well enough and whatnot. That's the real reason rednecks are afraid of gays. They're afraid that one day their wife is going to start to expect them to shave their back or something, and they blame the gayification of America.... Pitty too, because the show is pretty funny sometimes.

[mcscajun]

16. I don't think they're afraid of having to dress better....

...I think they're afraid of getting hugged.

I don't watch it as much as I used to...

[salminen]

19. Look at how homophobes dress

A conspicuously poorly coordinated and hairy folk. ;)

[mcscajun]

24. Some...and they like it that way.

The rest dress much better and swear they're NOT homophobic.

[mcscajun]

17. I don't think it has much impact. Those who are already open-minded,

watch; those who aren't, won't.

That said, I don't watch nearly as much as I used to...

[purr]

18. I LOVE the show!!

It is hilarious.. I need them to come help my husband.. kids even dance to their theme song lol

[Robeson]

28. I love your kitty!!!....

...are they hard to raise or high maintenance? I've heard various things and would like to know. Also, how good are they in interacting with the "hairy" type cats?....

[purr]

33. Thanks!! :) They're not hard at all..

She gets a weekly bath, her ears cleaned since theres no fur to protect dirt from getting in, claws get cut once a month and soft paws put on. Other than that, shes my cuddle queen!

As far as other cats go, shes fine... Shes really only a cat with a genetic mutation of no fur :) Shes in a constant competition with my Calico for top cat but always loses :) 8lb cat vs 15 lb cat kinda hampers things. She even loves my aunts Golden Retriever, but hates my doberman mix??

I honestly never met a more social, nicer, friendlier cat than her. From what her breeder said, they're all like that. Thats why I say when (and I hope not for a LOOOOONG time) she passes, I will get another Sphynx in a heartbeat.

[Robeson]

35. Thats great. We've got 2 cats, both female, but I've always....

...wanted a Sphynx, too! Especially if she'd be pretty as yours. Those eyes with her pigment color, are beautiful!...

:hi:

[MrSandman]

20. Had to say not helped...

hasn't hurt IMO, but hasn't changed anyone's mind.

It is entertainment.

[BigBearJohn]

21. I think friendly exposure to something you're afraid of can be helpful

I grew up in Midwestern town that was completely white bread.
I hardly ever saw anyone of color. Without interaction, you
are prey to superstition, stereotypes, and prejudice. Once I moved
into the "big city", I interacted with people of color and those stereotypes
and prejudices quickly fell by the way wayside because
of that experience.

Truly, how much experience do straights REALLY have with gays?
Not much IMHO.

This show forces straights and gays to interact and they often
have fun doing it. I think people are often impressionable.

Having straights witness gays and straights interacting in
a positive vein on t.v. may be the straights first experience
in seeing how much fun knowing someone gay can be.

[-..__...]

22. Queer Eye is just more trash "reality" TV..

They should put Christopher Lowell on network prime time.



The Fundies would be flocking and jumping off a cliff like Lemmings.

[MrSlayer]

23. It's a ridiculous show.

Seriously, is there anything more meaningless and stupid than fashion?

I don't think it has helped or hindered anyone's opinion on homosexuality.

[BigBearJohn]

25. Again, I think it's the interaction between gays and straights that

has an effect. Any show that portrays gays and straights getting along in a friendly manner is beneficial to both sides IMHO.

[fudge stripe cookays]

34. I love it.

I'm probably just naive, but I think it's helped many of the guys express things that may have been difficult for them before, as macho men.

Some of the episodes, like the ones where the guy proposed to his girlfriend and they taught him how to say I love you in Albanian, or any of the shows where they do something wonderful for a wife or girlfriend... some of them make me tear up.

The guys seem so amazed at the end at how happy they can make a loved one just by exerting a little effort, and being shown how it's done.

Quite honestly, most of gay friends aren't super nelly, but I don't even really notice whether they are or not (barring Carson). Ted and Kayan are my favorites. I just think anything that promotes normal relations between gays and straights, and shows what a wonderful experience can come out of it (lovely proposals, special dinners, anniversaries, etc) has to be a good thing.

FSC

[BigBearJohn]

41. I couldn't agree with you more! You got what I meant, EXACTLY

[Left Is Write]

26. I'm confused about this statement...

My boss at work watches it and does not hide the fact, even though he is married.

Why would he hide the fact that he watches, and what does being married have to do with it?

[BigBearJohn]

30. I have had straight me tell me they watched it but blushed

when saying so. Some straight men are deathly afraid of having ANY association with anything gay. Surely you have seen this.

[Left Is Write]

38. Sure. But I was still confused by the statement.

I don't get the addition of, "even though he is married."

When you say he doesn't hide the fact that he watches QE4TSG "even though" he is married, it sounds as if being married is a reason to hide his viewing of the show.

[BigBearJohn]

40. No, that's not what I meant. What I meant was, if a guy is married

he is not likely to be ridiculed for watching a show like "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" because being married establishes his "straightness" -- now we all know about gay people stuck in "straight" marriages, but I do believe you know what I mean now.

[6000eliot]

27. Sometimes it makes me feel as if I'm not a "real" gay man.

I'm not concerned with most of the stuff they say is essential to being gay. I have no fashion sense; I like to cook, but not like they do; I don't really care for the dance music that blares all through the episodes; the way that they decorate the houses makes no sense to me; etc. Still, I think they can be clever and funny, so I don't mind the show.

[lumberingbear]

29. I don't think its done any harm, BUT.....

It is awful!!! You've seen one, you've seen them all.

[beam me up scottie]

31. Hey BigBearJohn

I believe it's helped.
I say this because I personally know at least a dozen straight men who watch the show and love it. These are not metrosexuals, they wouldn't be caught dead watching "Will and Grace".

This show (which they love to discuss) has helped them overcome some of their homophobia.

Stereotypical, maybe, but in this case, humor transcends phobia.

JMHO

[Kipepeo]

32. You didn't include an option for BOTH

I think it originally helped - the first positive representation of "queer" for many homophobes. I think it helped in the sense that it added to the number of shows that mentioned gay on mainstream tv at ALL.

But I think it has served it's purpose and is now just a representation of stereotypes about gays...well, first that they can't be on TV unless they are FABULOUS!1! and also it helps if they are only concerned with being accessories for straight people....either in helping them remake themselves or in being their fabulous best friend character w/ no 3-d storyline of their own.

Not that I can't appreciate the show: I CAN! I just want to see something more...this used to be more and now it's just cliche.

:shrug:

[RagingInMiami]

36. I'm a straight guy

And all that show does for me is reinforce stereotypes.


EDIT: Stereotypes as in telling society that straight men can't do shit for themselves and that gay men are just natural good dressers, cook interior designers, etc.

I can dress fashionably and cook. I've known gay men who were incapable of either.

[barb162]

37. neither, no effect on public opinion