Queer As Folk and Homosexual Representation

         The mainstream channels are dominated by the shows that feature heterosexual romance and sometimes heterosexual interactions with homosexuals. There are only few shows whose main characters are homosexuals and whose narrative is entirely about the life of gay and lesbians. Even in Glee, Will&Grace, and Queer Eye, shows that are considered as gay friendly and ‘supporting the optimistic vision of contemporary gay life’ (Becker,132), the gay characters belongs to the sub-line of the narrative or they are paired with straight men or women.

         Showtime’s Queer As Folk is one of few shows that exclusively represent the life of a group of gay men and women. Queer As Folk made its depute in 2000 on Showtime and brought a huge amount of attention of the public at the time The series depicts the life of a group of gay men and a lesbian couple living in Pittsburgh, PA, revolving around their romantic relationships, careers, friendships, and tribulations. Unlike the queerness in other shows, the representation of queer life in Queer As Folk was referred to as ‘by far the most aggressive and comprehensive representation of the queer community on television to date’ (Kevyn, Justin Main). The show focuses on portraying almost exclusively gay community, moving the straight characters from the focus to the supportive roles. It opens a gate for the heterosexual audience to see the gay community through the aesthetic representation of the gay community in terms of diverse personality and backgrounds, gay speech, and concerning issues in the community rather than the stereotypical queer life. It also establishes a role model for the audience regarding to how gay people should be treated.  

         Queer as Folk has been widely embraced by the gay community because of its authenticity. ‘Being a gay male and living in a larger city area it was like watching a mirror reflection of myself’ a viewer wrote in his review for the show on tv.com. The show also received commands such as “no one has ever seen gay characters quite like these, characters just as real and nuanced and hedonistic as many of their real-life counterparts” (Mats-Erik Augustsson, 5).

         The show achieves authenticity by including different types of gay characters, rather than the stereotypical flamboyant and effeminate gay men or masculine lesbians. They come from different backgrounds, which include class, education, and professions. Michel, the narrator in the show, is a ’the boy next door’ (Queer as Folk, 101) type and a ‘not obviously gay’(Queer as Folk, 102) man, whose mom owns a little dinner on Liberty street. Brian, who grew up with Michel, is the young advertising executive who lives in a loft. He likes to play around and has no faith in love, until he meets the 17 year-old Justin, who has not came out and knows nothing about the real queer world. The working-class accountant, Ted, is a tiny man, who is always cautious and unconfident. Ted’s best friend, Emmett, is the only gay man who has flamboyant characteristic and who is obviously gay in the show. As for the lesbian couple, Lindsey and Melanie, both of them have both feminine and masculine characteristics, even though Lindsey, who works at a gallery, appears to be more feminine than Melanie, who is a lawyer. The diversity of the gay characters makes it easier for the homosexual audience to identify themselves with certain character or certain aspects of these characters.

         Besides the characters, the show’s creators, who are openly gay, weaved humors, lifestyles, and slangs that gay audiences are familiar with into the show. For example, in the first episode of season one, four main characters are introduced in a night club, which has shirtless dances, upbeat music, and flamboyant lighting. The scene of the night club was repeated frequently throughout the series, not only because it helps to develop the narrative, but also it shows the lifestyle with which many gay audiences can affiliate. The casual sex and hooking up in the nightclub are realistic for gay men. Also, the use of sexual jokes and slangs that marks the queer speech and signals the queer identity helps the audience to identify themselves with the characters. For example, words such as fag, dyke, top, bottom, campy appear regularly in the conversation between characters. With these authentic elements of gay community being presented, the heterosexual audiences can gain some sights about the community and drop their stereotypical imagination of the group.

         The authenticity is not the only factor that appeals to the homosexual audience. Controversial Issues, such as AIDS, drugs, coming out, homophobia, bullying, which exist in the gay community are the reason why the show has gained a lot of attention. For example, in Queer as Folk, Michel’s uncle and partner are both HIV positive. Ted becomes addicted to drugs which cost his job and friendships. Justin’s parents become outrageous when he confronts to them that he is gay. There are scenes shows that people who are homophobia paints on Brain’s car and call him ‘a fag’. These issues which gay people must to face, in one hand, add up to the authentic representation of gay community. On the other hand, these issues provide a space for the show to present the idea that people who involved with these issues should not be discriminated and treated unfairly. In the show, Michel’s uncle always has his sister, Debbie, on his back. She takes care of him and supports him to fight the disease. When Ted is addicted to the drugs, Emmett has been always stood by him and helped him to get clean. Justin’s mother gradually understands her son and becomes proud of her son after enlightened by Michel’s mother Debbie. These plots give the audience the role model of treating the marginalized group, especially those involved with controversial issues, in the way of caring, supporting, and without discrimination.  

         Queer as Folk did not present gay characters who talk or act like heterosexual people, because in the reality it is not the case. Instead, it give a positive representation of gay community and provide a space for the homosexuals to voice themselves meanwhile, the show allows the heterosexual audience to gain more knowledge about this marginalized group in terms of their live style, their language, and the issues they are facing, and consequently, reduces the stereotypes and discrimination that people have about the gay community.

         The show can be summed up in the words of the character of Michael: ‘in many ways, my life is nothing like yours. Why should it be? In the gay community, we have drag queens and leather daddies and trannies and couples with children, every color of the rainbow. […] But being different is what makes us all the same. It's what makes us... family’ (Queer as Folk 513)

Work Sited

Augustsson, Mats-Erik. “Queer as Folk Representation of Gay Language in Popular Culture”.   University of Gothenburg. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2013

         https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/26204/1/gupea_2077_26204_1.pdf

Becker, Ron. “Glee/House Hunters International Gay Narratives”. ICON. Web. 21 Nov. 2013

Kevyn. Main, Justin. “Queer As Folk A Double Edged Sword of Queer Representations on American Television”. Film Commune. December 30, 2006. Web. 21 Nov. 2013

    http://filmcommune.blogspot.com/2006/12/queer-as-folk-double-edged-sword-of.html

 “Queer As Folk Fan Reviews”. Tv.com. October 25, 2012. Web. 21 Nov. 2013

         http://www.tv.com/shows/queer-as-folk-american/reviews/

Queer as Folk. TVsubtitles. Web. 21 Nov. 2013

         http://www.tvsubtitles.net/tvshow-229-1.html.