Representation of Homosexuality in American Horror Story Throughout many recent television series the representation of homosexual characters has been on the rise. Although it is apparent that portraying genuinely homosexual characters is still a work in progress. In season one of American Horror Story two of the supporting actors are a gay couple that are trapped within the murder house both with different intentions for their relationship. This particular season does however reinforce certain stereotypes about homosexuals. American Horror Story does a fantastic job of representing this gay couple in a non offensive manner. The number of gay and bisexual characters on scripted broadcast network TV is at its highest-ever level in the season ahead, according to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.(Fox News) But, just because a gay couple is represented on American Horror Story does not exclude the fact that in some ways this show reinforces stereotypes about gay couples. Zachary Quinto and Teddy Spears the two males that were casted to play the gay couple, are found to act as a more masculine man in the relationship while the other acts as the more feminine in the relationship, mirroring what is expected of a heterosexual couples. “There is nothing about gay people’s physiognomy that declares them gay, no equivalent’s to the biological markers of sex and race. There are signs of gayness, a repertoire of gestures, expressions, stances clothing and even environments that bespeak gayness.” (Dyer) Based on this quotation, I feel that especially Zachary Quinto’s character shows some of these signs that reinforce the gay stereotype. Furthermore, Quinto’s character is the one that is the more feminine of the two and the signs of gayness include his style of clothes, his passion for interior decorating and maintaining the household and his desire to obtain a baby to nurture and make a part of his dream family. Although his character does not have an extreme, flamboyant, “drag-like” personality that tends to hover over gays, he still portrays less masculine actions. "It is vital for networks to weave complex and diverse story lines of LGBT people in the different programs they air," said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. "More and more Americans have come to accept their LGBT family members, friends, co-workers and peers, and as audiences tune into their favorite programs, they expect to see the same diversity of people they encounter in their daily lives."(Fox News) On top of the representation of the gay couple, American Horror Story adding in this same sex relationship it allows a variety of audiences to relate to these characters because they may have established previous relationships in real life. When an audience member has the ability to make a personal link with a character, or a small character trait, this gives the show the ability to not only gain viewers but keep that viewer consistently watching the show. American Horror Story is a delicious twist on television today, by representing many socially constructed groups and stereotypes in each season; it allows the positive growth and discussion about what is presented on screen. The gay couple that is in season one of American Horror Story does face ridicule in each episode they star in but they somehow overcome it and end on top. For example, when various characters poke fun at the gay couple for wanting to start a family and raise a baby, they are called unfit parents yet they work together to create a comfortable living space and atmosphere for the expected child in the home. Also, there is a scene in which Evan Peters’ character tries to persuade one of the gay characters through the use of sexual favors and in the end the gay man denies Peters. This being said, I feel it is important that if a stereotypical representation of homosexuals is going to be presented to the audience, that the creators of American Horror Story have the ability to offset the heat in a positive upbringing manner for the LGBT society. While watching season one and how this gay couple is shown on the TV series, I never got the impression that homosexuals were intentionally being put on the chopping block, both heterosexual and homosexual relationships road bumps are shown. Showing a well rounded representation of both types of relationships, American Horror Story really takes the cake because it does not strictly focus on one set of stereotype, gender role, and sexual orientation. I have never been given the opportunity to sit back and enjoy seeing many social groups being expressed without feeling uncomfortable. In addition, I feel that some of the stereotypes that are defined on the show are not meant to be taken personally and inappropriate. That is the beauty of American Horror Story, it has the capacity bend and warp how television has been in the past including the homosexual image and portrayals of socially constructed stereotypes that have been created. Works Cited http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2326-8492.1983.tb00084.x/abstract http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/10/05/study-number-gay-characters-on-tv-at-all-time-high/