From ''Perverts'' to ''Fab Five'': The Media's Changing Depiction of Gay Men and Lesbians

**В __From ''Perverts'' to ''Fab Five''__ tracks the dramatic change in how the American media have depicted gay people over the last half-century. Each chapter illuminates a particular media product that served as a milestone on the media's journey from demonizing homosexuals some fifty years ago to celebrating gay people--or at least some categories of gay people--today.** **The media, Streitmatter argues, have not merely reflected the American public's shift to a more enlightened view of gay people, but they have been instrumental in propelling that change. The book spans the breadth of communication venues. Individual chapters focus on major news stories, entertainment television programs, and mainstream motion pictures that captured the public imagination while, at the same time, sending powerful messages about gay men and lesbians. Ideal for any reader interested in the changing depiction of gay men and lesbians in the media over time, or as required reading in media courses.** Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Figures......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 1 “Perverts” on the Potomac: Homosexuals Enter the News Arena......Page 15 2 Stonewall Rebellion: Reporting on an Epic Event......Page 26 3 The Boys in the Band: Homosexuality Comes to the Big Screen......Page 35 4 Soap: A Gay Man Comes to TV Land......Page 46 5 AIDS Enters the News: Reporting on the “Gay Plague”......Page 59 6 AIDS Becomes Major News: “Now No One Is Safe”......Page 66 7 Gays in the Military: The Debate over Lifting the Ban......Page 74 8 Fleeting Images of Lesbians: Killing, Kissing, Being Chic......Page 82 9 Philadelphia: “A Quantum Leap for Gays on Film”......Page 92 10 A New Gay Man in Town: Hollywood Shifts to Positive Stereotypes......Page 102 11 Ellen: Coming Out, On Screen and Off......Page 113 12 Will & Grace: The Biggest Gay Hit in TV History......Page 124 13 Queer as Folk: “An Unvarnished Treatment of Gay Life”......Page 136 14 Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: The “Fab Five” as Gay Reality TV......Page 146 15 Notes on Gay Visibility vs. Lesbian Visibility......Page 155 16 The L Word: Lesbians Move into the Spotlight......Page 158 17 Same-Sex Marriage: A Journalistic Love Fest......Page 168 18 Brokeback Mountain: “A Breakthrough Gay Romance”......Page 178 Conclusion: From “Perverts” to “Fab Five”: Progress in Three Stages ... and Waiting for a Fourth......Page 188 Notes......Page 198 Index......Page 226 Perverts On The Potomac : Homosexuals Enter The News Arena -- Stonewall Rebellion : Reporting On An Epic Event -- The Boys In The Band : Homosexuality Comes To The Big Screen -- Soap : A Gay Man Comes To Tv Land -- Aids Enters The News : Reporting On The Gay Plague -- Aids Becomes Major News : Now No One Is Safe -- Gays In The Military : The Debate Over Lifting The Ban -- Fleeting Images Of Lesbians : Killing, Kissing, Being Chic -- Philadelphia : A Quantum Leap For Gays On Film -- A New Gay Man In Town : Hollywood Shifts To Positive Stereotypes -- Ellen : Coming Out, On Screen And Off -- Will & Grace : The Biggest Gay Hit In Tv History -- Queer As Folk : An Unvarnished Treatment Of Gay Life -- Queer Eye For The Straight Guy : The Fab Five As Gay Reality Tv -- Notes On Gay Visibility Vs. Lesbian Visibility -- The L Word : Lesbians Move Into The Spotlight -- Same-sex Marriage : A Journalistic Love Fest -- Brokeback Mountain : A Breakthrough Gay Romance -- Conclusion: From Perverts To Fab Five : Progress In Three Stages-- And Waiting For A Fourth. Rodger Streitmatter. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [189]-216) And Index. From the Publisher: From "Perverts" to "Fab Five" tracks the dramatic change in how the American media have depicted gay people over the last half-century. Each chapter illuminates a particular media product that served as a milestone on the media's journey from demonizing homosexuals some fifty years ago to celebrating the gay community-or at least some sectors of the gay community-today. The media, Streitmatter argues, have not merely reflected the American publics shift to a more enlightened view of gay people, but they have been instrumental in propelling that change. The book spans the breadth of communication venues. Individual chapters focus on major news stories, entertainment television programs, and mainstream motion pictures that captured the public imagination while, at the same time, sending powerful messages about gay men and lesbians. Ideal for any reader interested in the changing depiction of gay men and lesbians in the media over time, or as required reading in media courses, From "Perverts" to "Fab Five" challenges our very understandings of the words "public" and "media" both "From "Perverts" to "Fab Five" tracks the dramatic change in how the American media have depicted gay people over the last half-century. Each chapter illuminates a particular media product that served as a milestone on the media's journey from demonizing homosexuals some fifty years ago to celebrating the gay community - or at least some sectors of the gay community - today." "The media, Streitmatter argues, have not merely reflected the American public's shift to a more enlightened view of gay people, but they have been instrumental in propelling that change. The book spans the breadth of communication venues. Individual chapters focus on major news stories, entertainment television programs, and mainstream motion pictures that captured the public imagination while, at the same time, sending powerful messages about gay men and lesbians."--Jacket