Friday, November 10, 2006 (Page 2)

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ARE LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS THE NEW “PREGNANT LESBIANS”?
Our counterparts over at AfterEllen have documented how frequently television portrays lesbians as desperate-- desperate--to have children. Naturally, there are many lesbians who do want to have to kids, but the number of them we see on television isn't an accurate reflection of how many there really are.

I'm wondering if we're not getting near to seeing something similar going on with gay Republicans. Of course, there are gay Republicans out there and they're part of our big, happy family. But given how little gay representation there is on television in general, one has to wonder at the number of Log Cabin Republicans we're seeing of late

Case in point was last Sunday night's episode of FOX's American Dad. On the episode, die-hard Republican American Dad Stan is desperate to speak at the Republican National Convention. Turns out the only way he is able to do so is by getting in good with the local chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans. (BTW, can we call a moratorium on the perfectly coiffed, buff, show tune loving gay male stereotype for just a little while? It's getting really old.) The episode was terrific because Stan learned to love his gay brethren and even delivered a speech that changed the mind of all in attendance at the convention.

Did I mention the show is a cartoon? (And this particular episode is an especially wild flight of fancy.)

Comedy Central's Freak Show also features a Log Cabin Republican character known simply as Log Cabin Republican. BTW, if I were a Log Cabin Republican, I think I might be a bit miffed at this particular representation. After all, the show is called Freak Show and the rather mincing Log Cabin Republican's super power is to morph into a rather effeminate if burly bear.

Then there was NBC's failed drama The Book of Daniel that starred Christian Campbell as, you guessed it, a gay Republican.

So why the fascination with Log Cabin Republicans? I suppose it's because that for many people the idea of a gay person being a Republican--at least these days--is a concept that is difficult to grasp. And what we don't understand often draws scrutiny as we try to make sense of it. Perhaps that was Jack Kenny's intention when he created The Book of Daniel, but I have to suspect the motives of the creators of Freak Show aren't nearly so high falutin'. Like I said at the top, diversity is great as there are gays of all stripes. I'm glad Log Cabin Republicans are getting their due, but I think three is enough for now.

STUDIO 60 DOES THE CULTURE WARS
This week's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip touched on this country's ongoing culture wars when Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson) was quoted (or misquoted) in the press concerning what the Bible says about homosexuality. That led to an encounter with some very unhappy gay men who didn't appreciate being called sinners. Given that this is an Aaron Sorkin show, it's not surprising the episode was a rather nuanced look at the issues involved. It's a complicated, messy topic involving as it does one group's right to express their Biblical dislike of another group. I thought this comment Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) made to Harriet pretty well nutshelled the issue:

MATT: Your side hates our side because you think we think you're stupid. And our side hates your side because we do think you are stupid.

It's a two part episode, so tune in this week to find out what happens. Fans of the show will be happy to learn NBC has picked it up for a full season.

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