Naturally Pornographic?

[vaguy78]

So my friend at school has given me a bunch of different type of gay magazines and I've been doing research just on gay events in general and what I find that tends to make me sick is that most of what I find has some type of underlying message of sex or pornography. Why is that the case?

That really makes me boil.


Just Venting,
dc

[keltic63]

I think that one reason sex and pornography take such a huge place in gay magazines is the shock value. Society has said "what you are is shocking and disgraceful" and the gay community has responded by saying "you think that's shocking, then take a look at this." In other words, the gay community has capitolized on their outsider status. Look at Gay Pride celebrations: Do we see the PFLAG groups, or Reconciling Ministry Network groups in the media coverage of pride events? What about our lgbt community that trots out the stereotypes for the media?
Can it be said that there are a few "media elite" who are deciding that this is what the lgbt community wants? Does it truly represent who we are? I think we are truly a diverse group, but you couldn't tell that by the representative publications to the gay consumers.

[DColeman]

That's a tough one. It seems to me that the Advocate is a pretty good publication as far as being clean goes.

I can't think of a whole lot of others, though.

Yeah, I too would prefer gay publications that didn't have so much skin. I think it simply detracts from the legitimacy of the publication in general.

Even allowing ads like that makes me say, "Who is this directed toward?" Then, I answer to myself, "certainly not me."

Not all gay people are alike, but sadly many of the publications are.

Oh well... All the better for the sex-crazed people out there.

-David

[Rick336]

Keltic,

I think you're right about some gays responding with "if you think that's outrageous, watch this!"

In a pride parade in Minneapolis in 1982 there was a group of gay men walking behind a banner that said, in big red letters, "WE LIKE SUCKING AND FUCKING". That's all it said.

In a video of a gay pride parade from the 90s was a man completely nude except for a huge foam rubber penis he had strapped around his waist and crotch. As he walked down the street the penis bounced up and down in front of him. Behind him was a group of people, some carrying signs that read "FUCK". Nothing else. Just "FUCK".

In that same parade was a huge banner that read, "Stop Homophobia."

Rick

[vaguy78]

Yeah, it is just frustrating for those of us who prefer to enjoy learning about the glbt community without the extras. I guess i'll just have to live with it. (for now atleast)

[awediot]

I agree. I want to be able to share my Advocate with my mom without censoring the sleaze factor first. Or be proud of more than that one third of the parade.

Whether or not we like it, Gay=Sex. We are attracted to either the qualities of masculine or feminine, and have deep, equivalent feelings and emotions of love and all that entails far beyond the crassness of mingled flesh. But boiled down, and where the rubber meets the road, we demonstrate, or prove our gayness, between the sheets. Straights can pass for straights up to that point, then theirs no going back.
It is not surprising that because we are rejected for this final dirty deed, once we find acceptance in it, the need to grow from there is far less pressing. Thus the "I'm a gay Realtor", "I'm a gay teacher", "I'm a gay whatever", instead of, "I'm a whatever", who happens to be gay should it come up.

I started the 'Where You At' thread as a partial response to where this topic may lead. Incorporating your homosexuality (the last stage) into being just a part of your identity is a difficult step, especially for gay activists, when so much of the focus MUST stay locked there, in order to remain driving and passionate... Healthy? Necessary? Helpful? ...tough call.