Born This Way (Sexual Orientation)

Lady Gaga says it best in her song "Born This Way." Some people believe that one's sexual orientation is chosen, but I disagree with this on every level. It pisses me off to no end that gay individuals are not given the same rights as a heterosexual. Who is to say that they are less of a person just because they like the same sex?? Same sex marriage should be legal in every state and should be recognized by all. To say it should be accepted by all would be a dream and completely unrealistic. I am not so sure why relationships of the gay community offend and upset so many people... America is supposed to be "The Land of the Free," yet we are judging, criticizing and hindering those from living their life to the fullest.

I know many people that are gay, several being family members. My cousin lives in New Zealand, is married to her partner and has two beautiful children. They had a ceremony in the United States, but obviously were not technically married. It frustrates me that they cannot come to America and live the free and accepting life in which they have in New Zealand.

We watched the documentary Further off the Straight and Narrow in class which discussed the transformation of airing gay media, primarily on television. When individuals see television shows starring a gay character, it helps those that have trouble coming out, do so by realizing they are not alone. It is referred to as the "coming out saga" which is characterized as a common experience and process often filled with anxiety and despair. Some shows, such as ER and Dawson's Creek, had a serious storyline about the struggles the characters were having with their sexual orientation. It is expected for the gay community to conform to narrow and particular ways to be respected. Other shows, such as The OC, had lesbian hook ups among straight characters; these scenes came and went like fashion and were used as a sign of hipness. Lesbian kisses are profitable while gay kisses are largely seen as taboo. Kissing scenes are metaphors of sex on TV - sex in inferred.

There is currently more latitude on reality television. The transition came in a set of phases:

• Occasional talk shows/news debate
• 90's centered in tabloid with messed up relationships (Ricky Lake, Jerry Springer)
• Youth oriented programming - used as signature features (Real World, Survivor)
• Today - gaying of the straight guys (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy)
• Plot lines from 80s & 90s was centered around AIDS/HIV, was replaced with gay parenting

The problem some see with mainstream is how do you determine who is gay and who is straight? And if you can't decide that, what happens to the straight privileged?

Premium cable channels, such as HBO, found different ways to interest loyal membership, which demands much more risque shows - Sex and the City, Queer as Folk, and The L Word. These shows offer gay friend to straight women, sexual experimenters, sex obsessed, and romantic love affair plot lines. In 2005 MTV released Logo, gay programming channel. Originally was going to be for subscription only, but is now public instead so the channel has to "play it safe."