The stigmatization of homosexuals and the normalization of heterosexuals maintains the gender dichotomy imposed by society. The media presents a world in which heterosexism is not just a personal choice but a pressure on all people to conform to a narrow standard of appropriate gender behavior, therefore maintaining and reinforcing our society's hierarchical gender structure.
The story line created by most mediated mediums follows the stereotype that homosexuals lack the amount of masculinity needed to retain their status in the hierarchical gender power structure, and heterosexism is needed to maintain the patriarchal order.
Homosexuality has been slowly introduced to mainstream media Since the early 90’s to present day. According to Social learning theory television is a source of observational learning and viewers model the behaviors they see being rewarded, avoid the behaviors that are punished and are drawn to characters who they see as likable or similar them. Therefore the boost in visibility of gay people in mainstream media does not necessarily mean we have made positive advances.
In this recent episode of the office Michael plays the stereotypical ignorant white male trying to come to terms with homosexuality. Micheal is parallel to the media in that he tries to normalize homosexuality but in reality ends up stigmatizing it even more. His antics throughout this episode and others revolving around the token gay male in the office is the epitome of how media is treating gay characters, as pure spectacle and the butt of a joke.
"that is so Gay"
Homer: I like my beer cold, my TV loud and my homosexuals flaming.
By creating a world in which heteronormative lifestyle is optimal and anything less is wrong. The media explicitly states its intolerance with alternative lifestyles.
Not only do the Simpson's epitomize the traditional American household but they also invent and reinforce terms such as "that is so gay", and traditonal norms of masculinity. Homer's violence and ignorance shows an unrealistic viewpoint of what it means to be heterosexual as well.
"Nelson's use of 'that's so gay' in a negative way is not surprising considering that 90% of lesbian, gay, busexual and transgender youth say they hear the term used this way frequently or often at school" (GLSEN: Gay, lesbian and straight education network)
Once men have accepted the heterosexist ideology, they take on the responsibility of regulating and controlling any sexual deviance. This is where we see many hate-crimes played out.
By trying to maintain the status of masculinity they must challenge any feminized version of the male attitude.
As seen in Eminen's lyrics there is extreme hate and anxiety surrounding homosexuals;
This song points out two important elements in the circulation of homophobia and how it relates to the Marxist power structure.
- Poor to middle class are systematically neglected and devalued, therefore the low socioeconomic upbringing that Eminem had could have fueled the homophobia based on a threat by others in the lower realm of the power structure.
His lyrics are an example of hate crimes that are happening due to mass mediation of homophobic ideas.
here's some extracts of three of his songs:
''My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge
That'll stab you in the head
whether you're a *ag or lez
Or the homosex, hermaph or a trans-a-vest
Pants or dress - hate *ags? The answer's "yes"
Homophobic? Nah, you're just heterophobic[...]'' in the song ''Criminal''
''Fa*got....uh oh...was that homophobic...
But no one knows it...and I'm so homophobic
I wont even throw clothes in the Closet''
in Just Rhymin Wit Proof (feat. Proof)
''*ewwww* Fukc that, take drugs, rape sluts
Make fun of gay clubs, men who wear make-up
Get aware, wake up, get a sense of humor''
in Who knew?
Although Eminens discourse is not taken seriously by the majority of the population, the mass popularity that he once had places his ideas permanently into our pop-cultures artifacts and the ideas cannot be discredited as having an influence on his fans.
According to Scripting theory sexuality is learned through cultural available sexual scripts which define what counts as sex, how to recognize sexual situations and what to do in relational and sexual encounters. Therefore the sexual script that is presented in the media has a significant impact on society as a whole.
The sexual script that we see presented for homosexual men in America includes:
-Gay people cannot have an intimate relationship
-Homosexuality is a defining characteristic of their personality, and seen as a lifestyle choice versus an innate preference.
- Must be caregivers, feminine, concerned with appearance.
This narrow sexual script played out over and over in the media creates and reinforces stereotypes that
When comparing this sexual script to a heterosexual script the differences lie in power and status. Leaving homosexuals no mediated way to overcome this pre-determined framework and achieve dominance. This disadvantages gay men in all aspects of society from inequality in the work place to basic legal rights.
WWE plays off of the stereotypical sexual scripts, and blatantly obvious homophobia is portrayed as the norm as the entire stadium boos in disapproval of Chuck & Larry's wedding. By making the wedding pure spectacle and the butt of a joke WWE conforms to the sexual script described above.
Although reality Television has been accredited with showing the most honest portrayal of gay people in the media they still reinforce the stereotypes by casting hypersexualized characters. The characters are defined by their sexuality versus any particular personality trait.
homosexuality is being introduced to the public but through a negative lens of predictable jokes and by hetero normalizing the homosexual lifestyle.
Even though media has tried to help normalize sexual minorities, they have served to reinforce the negative stereotypes by portraying these different sexualities in a less serious light.
hetero-normalization of pop culture leads to an unfair gender dichotomy that fuels homophobia and inequality.
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