Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (Full Version)

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TheWriter13 -> Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 11:36:36 AM)

I've been wondering I've been thinking about having a gay character in my story but I don't want him to be like a stereo type you know obsessed with fashion I was mainly thinking about hving him be just like any other guy drinks a beer, watches the superbowl and is a bit of a slob and when asked what he thinks about a outfit says "Honestly I have no idea why are you asking me?" So what do you think is this a good idea? I don't don't want to do the stereotype because growing up I knew a gay man who was somewhat of a stereotype but he acted that way more as a joke sadly he moved.



OsideGirl -> RE: Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 11:44:40 AM)

I have friends that are the stereotype. One owned a tiara and a Breakfast at Tiffany's style cigarette holder. I have a gay male friend that except for the odd comment about women's fashion and his amazing obsession with the perfect latte.....you'd never know until you met his partner.



DarkSteven -> RE: Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 12:00:07 PM)

An episode of All in the Family did that once. Archie was confused how a straight-acting man could be gay.

To be honest, I don't see how the character would grab audiences unless there was more to him than just being a regular guy who's gay.



Kaliko -> RE: Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 12:34:04 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: TheWriter13

I've been wondering I've been thinking about having a gay character in my story but I don't want him to be like a stereo type you know obsessed with fashion I was mainly thinking about hving him be just like any other guy drinks a beer, watches the superbowl and is a bit of a slob and when asked what he thinks about a outfit says "Honestly I have no idea why are you asking me?" So what do you think is this a good idea? I don't don't want to do the stereotype because growing up I knew a gay man who was somewhat of a stereotype but he acted that way more as a joke sadly he moved.



Hmm...now that I think about it, every gay man that I've known (that I've known I've known, anyway) would not have been able to answer any fashion questions, either. Though they do exhibit some of the characteristics of the stereotype, I would say they are more non-stereotypical.

I guess it would depend on the character and how he fits into the story. To overly play it all up to the extreme might be prosaic. I would find providing a strict stereotyped character to be the same as dumbing things down for a reader - somewhat insulting (for the reader, not the gay man). But throwing in a few traits of personality that align with the stereotype could certainly add some interest.



Moonhead -> RE: Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 12:42:04 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: TheWriter13

I've been wondering I've been thinking about having a gay character in my story but I don't want him to be like a stereo type you know obsessed with fashion I was mainly thinking about hving him be just like any other guy drinks a beer, watches the superbowl and is a bit of a slob and when asked what he thinks about a outfit says "Honestly I have no idea why are you asking me?" So what do you think is this a good idea? I don't don't want to do the stereotype because growing up I knew a gay man who was somewhat of a stereotype but he acted that way more as a joke sadly he moved.

I suggest you go out and do some research. Bite a few pillows and get your arse fucked by as many gay men as you can talk into doing so. Tell them it's for a book you're writing, and I'm sure they'll be glad to help you out.



TheWriter13 -> RE: Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 12:44:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

An episode of All in the Family did that once. Archie was confused how a straight-acting man could be gay.

To be honest, I don't see how the character would grab audiences unless there was more to him than just being a regular guy who's gay.

You have a good point. I had another idea where the villain was gay and made passes at the straight main character sort of like in this clip and I know it's a girl's voice but the character is a guy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_wio_lyUuY



Anaxagoras -> RE: Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 12:57:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheWriter13
I've been wondering I've been thinking about having a gay character in my story but I don't want him to be like a stereo type you know obsessed with fashion I was mainly thinking about hving him be just like any other guy drinks a beer, watches the superbowl and is a bit of a slob and when asked what he thinks about a outfit says "Honestly I have no idea why are you asking me?" So what do you think is this a good idea?

That portrait is so non-stereotypical its slightly offensive - it implies there is something wrong with normative gay behaviour... [8D]



SylvereApLeanan -> RE: Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 1:01:05 PM)

~FR~

Stereotypes are always offensive. They're also lazy writing.

The question should not be whether or not the character can be a "regular guy" and be gay at the same time (hint: yes, he can, just ask J.K. Rowling about Dumbledore), the question should be about who the character is and what purpose his presence serves in your story. Why are you thinking of including him? If it's just to have a gay character that doesn't conform to stereotypes, then why do you need him at all? If his presence is needed to move the story forward, then develop him the same way you would develop any character. What sort of person is he? What is his relationship to his family, friends, the other characters in the story? What is his driving motivation in life?



Moonhead -> RE: Would you say that the stereotypical gay man in fiction is offensive? (7/7/2012 2:51:27 PM)

Offensiveness depends on the stereotype. If somebody isn't putting anything besides that down on paper, you're dead right that it's lazy, though.



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