IS TRUE BLOOD TOO GAY?
So recently I read a piece on the entertainment website Zap2It that got me thinking about everyone’s favorite vampire saga…
The piece in question was inspired by a recent tweet by Philadelphia Eagles player Todd Heremans who after a recent TB episode tweeted “So…caught up on ‘True Blood’ last night. Not a fan of how they get you hooked with the first two seasons then bring on a barrage of homosexuality…”
Of course Heremans’ tweet didn’t exactly go down well with fans of the show, many of whom complained to Todd’s bosses – leading to a retraction a couple of days later when Todd said “After speaking with Eagles management I realize that my tweet earlier was insensitive and tasteless, and for this, I deeply apologize. It was not my intention to offend or hurt anyone.” What do you think? Sounds like a forced apology to me…
Anyway, following the incident, Zap2It posed the question – Is True Blood Too Gay? on their site – and they’ve certainly elicited some rather interesting responses. Obviously there’s been a lot of support for the show – and for the gay characters and storylines – but there’s also comments like this…
Lenie 321: “Love the show but hate the gay stuff. Whenever there is any gay sex scenes (which is often) I switch channels for a minute or two… As a straight man it is hard for me to watch a male sex scene. It repulses me. I will never be comfortable watching stuff like that. Don’t know how better to say it. Love the show but if it continues down this path, may find something else to watch on Sundays.”
Okay – now my blood is boiling! Let’s break this down…
First of all let’s take a look at the ‘barrage of homosexuality’ that Todd points out. Where is it exactly?
Well there’s Lafayette, who’s finally found some love on the show (after two largely sexless seasons) and has had a couple of kissing scenes with his new partner Jesus… there’s Eric, who seduced Russell’s husband Talbot and then staked him in an act of revenge… and there’s Sam’s sexy dream about Bill Compton… and er, that’s kind of it really… (I know Russell is going to have a gay scene soon – but I’m just basing it on what’s aired so far)
Wow we’re really talking a ‘barrage’ here aren’t we. In the meantime we’ve had numerous Sookie / Bill / Eric sex scenes, Bill perusing naked strippers at a strip bar, Jason in a fairly explicit threesome with two girls he just picked up at a bar, Franklin and Tara in a pretty nasty sex scene and many, many bare breasts and female buttocks. And of course there’s Pam – True Blood’s resident lesbian – but of course she’s fine for the straight fans isn’t she…
The fact is we’ve barely seen any ‘gay sex’ on True Blood this season. We’ve seen some kissing and that’s about it. But of course for some straight guys out there anything approaching man on man contact is an absolute horror show. Just check out this funny little video I found on You Tube…
Good for you Billy Black!
Seriously we’re in 2010 now and people are still getting freaked out by gay kisses. I mean really – what century are we living in?
Are these guys really such delicate little lambs that they can’t handle two men together. I mean please! Grow a pair guys. Seriously.
And let’s also remember this is HBO. True Blood is rated MA. It’s full of gore and blood and some pretty edgy content at times… and yet this is what sends people over the edge?
I think the reason I get most incensed by this kind of bullshit is that as a gay man I have to constantly sit through straight love stories and sex scenes all the time. This weekend I sat through Piranha 3D which was more about T&A than killer fish – the amount of soft core nudity on show was just unbelievable and actually really hurt the movie. But I wasn’t offended – just bored – and kind of insulted that the filmmakers would pander quite so low to their target audience.
And then there’s TV in general. For starters there’s hardly any gay characters out there (try and find one on a scripted CBS show – shame on them). And the ones that do exist are largely asexual – Cam and Mitchell on Modern Family, Kurt on Glee. In fact the only gay characters we see on network TV who actually seem to have sex lives are Scotty and Kevin on Brothers and Sisters – and even they got saddled with a dreary sexless surrogate storyline last season (see my O Brother posting for more on the decline of B&S).
Frankly it really pisses me off. Gay people make up between 5-10% of the US population and yet 99.9% of all TV romances are straight. And when we do finally get a little action – this is the kind of response we get. It really shows just how far we still have to go as a society…
Interestingly we have a little True Blood viewing party every Sunday night with two friends of ours. They’re engaged and straight – and yet when the gay ‘scenes’ roll out neither is bothered in the least. There’s no groaning, head covering or complaining – because these guys are adult enough to know it’s all part of the story and that frankly two guys kissing – or even making love – is hardly shocking in 2010.
So if any of you out there are really shocked, repulsed or offended by the gay scenes on True Blood maybe you should just change the channel, get a life and start asking yourselves who the ‘real men’ are… cause I can promise you that Lafayette, Jesus, Eric, Bill and Sam are the true men of today…
Okay everyone – the comments board is open… fire away…!
| Print article | This entry was posted by Richard Drew on August 22, 2010 at 8:21 pm, and is filed under DRAMA, OPINION, VIDEOS. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
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about 4 months ago
I loved the books, and I hate what the show has become this year. For me too much gay stuff. So. I quit watching it.
I admit I had to turn my head at all the kissing, was very uncomfortable with it. Seems more like a tv shows made for gays now.
I just wish they had of stayed with the story line of the books.
about 4 months ago
“Too much gay stuff”?
I hate TV shows these days… too much black people.
Yaaaay aren’t you a good person. If you’re uncomfortable with men kissing maybe you should see a psychiatrist? Especially now when the gay scenes are between a couple… I’m sure you didn’t even care when a girl got raped on the show… that wouldn’t have been uncomfortable compared to those GAYS!
You’re a disgrace.
about 1 year ago
Hey there True Blood fans,
Here's the long and short of it. If you are pathetic enough to whining about having to watch gay porn on t.v., simple answer: STOP WATCHING THE SHOW! If all you are gonna do is bitch about it no one's making you watch it,no one's putting a gun to your head so if it's that big of a deal to you then turn the channel or watch something you won't bitch about, cause honestly to us (tolerant, gay, lesbian, bi, accepting, what-ever-you-may-be) people it's annoying and unnecessary. Grow up.
about 1 year ago
If Hetro men find it uncomfortable to see "gay-sex" on TV and therefore it should be banned, than as a woman I would like to say that it makes me uncomfortable to see a woman be raped on tv or in movies and therefore that should be banned. Funny that two people sharing love is not okay because they are both men, but a woman being raped, gang-banged, publicly assaulted as A-Okay with everyone. I've never seen any media talk about that. However, I go to movies where a scene like that is and as uncomfortable as it is for me to watch I bear it because it might be integral to the story. And watching scenes like that make me physically sick, not just uncomfortable. And a hetro-man that says watching two gay men kiss makes him physically sick and comfortable is doing so because he is not sure of his own sexuality and thinks others aren't as well.
about 1 year ago
That's my response to people who are saying that they have nothing against gays but don't have to be forced to watch gay kiss:
Let's be reasonable, gay people have ALWAYS been forced (Yes, FORCED. Almost EVERYTHING on TV was about straight relationships and straight sex) to watch hetero sex, listen do hetero music, it's like being a fish outside the ocean, you just feel lonely and wronged.
But, we never tried to FORCE YOU straight people to stop watching. You have to consider the fact that, it would be ridiculous to stop airing the gay scenes in True Blood, when there's a lot of gay and lesbian watching it because of it.
You have to get used to it, because let's face it, being "offended" by it it's just too childish. You don't have to enjoy it, but to think it's something from another planet it's NOT right, open your mind a little bit.
OR… You change your channel.
At the same time we – LGB community – never had the guts to go out there and tell u you should stop airing straight relationships just because WE don't like it, you should do the same.
Like I've said before, you don't have to enjoy it, but don't take away the rights from people who does.
Let's live in a FREE community, gay, straight, lesbian, everybody with the same rights. Not in a straight only or gay only community.
=D
about 1 year ago
"kind of insulted that the filmmakers would pander quite so low to their target audience."
That's how I feel watching most of the sex in season 3.
I can understand how some feel about the 'gay sex'. Gay intimacy or sex of any kind really didn't factor into the show in the first two seasons, therefore now when it becomes part of the ongoing drama, it comes as a shock too many viewers. Personally I have nothing against sex in drama (gay or straight) as long as it feels like a natural part of the action. The problem is none of the sex in this season (apart from Jason's) has felt that way:
-The Tara/ Franklin sex felt awkward.
-Lafyette loves scenes seem awkward.
-The Pam and Nan Flanagan lesbian sex seemed to pander to hetero male audiences.
-Sookie Bill sex scene seemed forced and put there to pander to the prurient.
I think one of the problems with the Lafyette relationship is that Nelsan Ellis is not gay and does not feel comfortable doing intimate scenes, so it looks awkward. Actually hiring gay actors to play gays would be nice for change could fix this.
But I digress from the point of the article. I don't begrudge anyone who doesn't like watching gay sex- that's life. This is not employment discrimination we are talking about, but a preference for what type of sex people like seeing on TV.
I think we have to refrain becoming thought police when someone voices their personal preference for hetero sex over gay sex. There is nothing wrong with that.
about 1 year ago
Yup, way too much gay sex on True Blood. Gay sex is what 'fuck' was ten years ago – something to throw in to demonstrate how edgy your show is. Ten years ago the taboo to break was saying 'fuck', these days it's gay sex. You're supposed to take a step back and say "Oooo, how edgy this show is. Maude – that thar's some brave television, yes sirree bob." You might as well say it with a southern accent – you're watching True Blood after all.
about 1 year ago
I am all for gay rights, gay marriage, equal rights and all the things gay people want. I also have a really close gay friend back in the States, and think that gay or not gay, people are the same. However, watching two gay or lesbian people kiss is just uncomfortable for me, and I don't think there's anything wrong with the way I feel. I love True Blood, but I think this season they are pushing it a little too far. not just with the gay scenes (vampire spokesperson and Pam are left out in your post), but just with the graphic scenes in general. It's just a tad too much, so much that watching the Eric and Sookie kiss the last episode excited me the most thus far intot he season. Sex scenes are great, but when they are needed. Putting them in to shock people just doesn't work if you overdo it!
about 1 year ago
I'm a happily married man (to a woman, no less), and I'm totally in favor of Lafayette and Jesus having a sex scene as graphic as what the Stackhouses get up to. Or Lafayette and somebody else, if Jesus ends up dead first. Lafayette and Jason, maybe?
Oh no, now I'm fan 'shipping. Ignore me.
about 1 year ago
"As a straight man it is hard for me to watch a male sex scene. It repulses me."
While I'm for equal rights for homosexuals, gay marriage, and the repeal of DADT (and I'm in the Marines now), I feel the same way. I don't know why, but it makes me feel funny watching two guys kiss. I can watch two girls kiss and it doesn't. It doesn't turn me on either, but it doesn't bother me like watching two guys make out. Is that hypocritical? I suppose so, but it's how I feel and I have no rational explanation why.
It has nothing to do with bigotry or prejudice, but is probably related to the same biological reason that some people are gay and others aren't.
I would have no problem working with anyone who is gay (I probably do now and don't know it), having neighbors who are gay, or even if my kid turned out to be gay. But for some reason, watching guys kiss just feels strange.
about 1 year ago
Bill – I admire your honesty – but I suspect the reason you find watching two guys kiss is because you see it a lot less often on TV and in real life – so it's unusual and thus strange
I remember when I first came out to my parents it was odd for them. But I've been with my partner for 12 years now and kissing in front of them is no big deal now (not that we'd have full make out sessions of course!)
I don't find a man and a woman kissing sexy – but I don't find it strange or uncomfortable either… it just is what it is!
about 1 year ago
While I agree with everything that you've stated in your post, we mustn't forget that there was once a show on cable television that dealt exclusively (and unapologetically) with the lives of gays and lesbians in America– Queer as Folk. The show, lasting a solid 5 years, generated more controversy that you can imagine, but it left an unforgettable impact on television.
It does appear like there is a double standard when it comes to TB's on-screen love scenes– the rawness between Bill and Sookie vs the careful, tiptoeing around Jesus and Lafayette. If anything, the creators and producers of True Blood should look to QAF for inspiration and not be afraid to push the boundaries of society's comfort level with on-screen homosexuality.
about 1 year ago
Are you fucking serious? Hollywood is run by a great deal of gay people thats why theres the obligatory gay character on almost every show or movie made today. Every fucking show and movie. Thats right. What offends you is that they don't go far enough with the gayness. Being in the 5-10% group you expect equal time. Fuck you. Nothing more boring than straight people having to watch gay sex. 90% of us are bored not offended. I think you should pay more attention to the fact that portrayals of gay men are all effeminate show tune singing shopping girlymen instead of just regular guys.
I'm not offended by the gay sex on true blood but just really bored. As a matter of fact I'm bored and exhausted by all these gay issues like the never ending marriage bullshit, that distract from some really serious issues that affect a larger percentage of the population.
about 1 year ago
Oh Mitch… where do I begin…
So you're bored by gay sex… well try being gay and being bored by every single straight love scene out there
Gay character in every movie… right – name me 10 MAINSTREAM movies in the last year with a leading gay character… try even the last 5 years
And as for gay marriage BS – simple answer – pass marriage equality and then it will all go away…
Let me guess you're straight, while and male and hate political correctness… well guess what – the world is changing…
about 1 year ago
Mitch… are you fucking serious?
You say that in "almost every movie and show there is the obligatory gay character" I can't think of many…then you assume that this article is about being offended that "they don't go far enough with the 'gayness'", and you go as far as to deny the gay community the same rights and equality because it consists of a mere 5-10% of the population. ("Being in the 5-10% group you expect equal time.") Fuck yes, they should EXPECT equal time… no matter a persons sexual orientation, they are still people and still deserve equal rights, you dope.
People like you, with your small minds, offend me and I am bored. You know what I am bored of? I am bored of people like YOU who are intolerant of the gay community and it's issues. You feel that their "never ending marriage bullshit" isn't important and distracts from some "really serious issues". Well guess what douche, this is a really SERIOUS issue. These people are denied their rights (in most states) to marry the person they love because they are the same sex – because it goes against what's written in the bible and laws and….blah blah blah. Does this not sound familiar to you? I can think back to a time where people weren't allowed to marry outside their race. Was that also not a "serious issue"?
SO.. Fuck you and the small minded population that supports you.
about 1 year ago
Every show or movie? Just because they might have, say, one gay character… How many people on here don't know a gay person? You should understand that 5-10% (more realistically, 5% that know they're gay and another 5% that are in denial or unsure for some time) are gay… that is, full blown gay. And that doesn't account for bisexuals or potential bisexuals or the rare transexual, or… You get my drift. There's a whole big scary world out there. If you can't stand the sight of two men pushing their lips together, then don't watch an HBO drama created by the same guy who made Six Feet Under. And as for the issues… what, so tell the gays to just shut up and live happily unmarried so we can all talk about solar energy and electric cars that'll never be allowed to grow in this country so long as the oil companies reign supreme. Or we could all whine about whether or not we should be allowed to smoke some dope every now and then or we can all stereotype every Muslim person in this country as evil based on a small minority of terrorists, or we could try to internally fix our economy when one of the biggest problem is that we're TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT! This country is screwed. The issues that we're being distracted from will never go anywhere because this country is run by idiots. It's just two gay people kissing on your TV. Just leave the room and come back if it makes you uncomfortable. Get over yourself.
about 1 year ago
I'm a straight woman and I have to say I think it is f'in hot to see two men together! I watch every week with my husband and he's been the one to comment on how nice it is to finally see gay characters on t.v. who actually get to have a relationship and not just be there for comic relief. It's too bad that there are still people who don't understand that people are people and it's love, not gender that matters.
about 1 year ago
I agree that gay scenes are really rare on tv and I think this is partly the reason why many people find themselves so uncomfortable when watching them. If gay love scenes and kiss scenes were added organically to most shows it would ease the uncomfort eventually, but instead they are treated like a big deal in special episodes or are only aired on HBO. I'd also like to note that True Blood spends a lot of time using a political undertone that says let's not discriminate against vampires but doesn't spend much time showing us that the entire vampire race is just like everyone else. More often than not they are shown to be cruel killers who feed on humans with a few exceptions who are treated like exceptions. In that respect I find that if they are going to parallel the vampire cause with our current gay equal rights cause or the racial equal rights cause that they spend more time showing us that vampires are not just killers or else try to drop that angle.
about 1 year ago
Alan Ball himself has said that the vampires are NOT a metephor for gay people. I believe it was in the Rolling Stone episode. Other people have put that on the show.
about 1 year ago
There no Gay sex scenes on True Blood and certainly nothing to compare to the sex scens with interwined legs and gasping and humping we see with the hetero characters. So we saw the female rep for the authority begin to suck on a woman's leg prior to Rissell's grand guignol interruption of the news report. Big deal. Besides, when hetero men slam gays on TV they always make it a point to single out Gay men, never lesbian sex; they get off on it. True Blood is much nore thanabout Gays and thei rplace in America though. It's also about race and and a woman's place in society and how religion impacts in the most terrible way. It's about our most vulnerable, the ones a democracy has a duty to protect.