Kathy Griffin Speaks Up for Gay Youth

Television is often touted as one of the banes of our culture, but it can also be of great service to the empowerment and uplifting of society. To honor this phenomenon I kicked off my Gay Pride weekend in Los Angeles at a star studded panel, "LGBT Youth in Television - Tweens, Teens, & More!" It was the second annual Youth pride event sponsored by the Television Academy's Diversity Committee and hosted by none other than our steadfast, LGBTQ supporter , and self-declared "divorcee who is now anti heterosexual marriage," Kathy Griffin!

The event was produced by Steven Wishnoff, Television Academy Diversity Committee member and the first person to produce their LGBT specific events. Steven was inspired to create the event in response to the alarming number of lgbt teen suicides over the past couple of years. He wanted to bring together a panel of experts currently in the field in service to identifying the challenges faced by the TV community and the impact that results from creating accurate depictions of lgbt or questioning youth/young adults. Robert Bradley Sears, Executive Director, The Charles R. Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy opened the evening. He cited alarming statistics indicating that 44% of the homeless youth in Los Angeles identify in one of the lgbt categories, and 40% of LGBT youth report experiencing rejection when they come out. He reported that LGBT youth are two times more likely to smoke, use drugs, or contract an STD and four times more likely to commit suicide.

Attendees supporting the critical role that TV plays in providing our gay youth with positive images spanned four decades, including Florence Henderson and Barry Williams (Brady Bunch fame), Amanda Bearse (Married With Children) all the way to the panelists who are presently creating relevant content serving our LGBT youth by broadcasting messages of love and acceptance across our TV screens (Adam Ruggiero, Degrassi; Sarah Lindman - The N/Teen Network, Martin Ritchie, Stuart Krasnow, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency; Scott Baily, Daniel Sladek - Prayers for Bobby; Patrick Sean Smith, Calvin Owens and Dilshad Vadsaria, Greek; Daniela Sea, Ken Storer, Law and Order (Transitions).

It is no secret that the LGBT community has been serving our culture in the television and entertainment industry for decades. Florence Henderson shared with me that her inspiration to support the LGBT community comes from the fact that it was gay men who took her under her wing and supported her when she arrived in New York and landed her first Broadway Show in the 1950's.

Nonetheless, the first images of gay people on TV in the 1950's were severely derogatory. Panelist Stephen Tropiano, and author of The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on Television says that those images were largely of panel psychologists on talk shows decrying gay people and discussing how to cure them. Flash forward to the seventies and the premiere of the critically acclaimed Soap, which starred Billy Crystal playing openly gay Jodie Dallas. Although the show ran for four years on ABC there were advertisers pulling out along with boycotts and letter campaigns before it ever went on the air. In the nineties Ellen Degneres provided a profound service to the LGBT community by coming out of the closet on her show. Afterward the ratings tanked and the show was canceled.

Flash forward again to today and you can count a significant number of TV shows portraying positive images of LGBT Youth on high profile networks including ABC Family, Oxygen, Logo, and Here!. Speaking with ABC Family's Greek creator, Patrick Sean Smith (creator of Everwood), I was inspired to discover that there are indeed creative people in the industry committed to serving LGBT youth by providing accurate, honest depictions of the reality of being young and gay in our society. Greek is set on a college campus where Calvin Owens, played by Paul James, deals honestly with the issues of being a young, black, and openly gay fraternity brother. James, who is straight, told us that he doesn't experience a lot of backlash in playing the gay role. Nonetheless, with an understanding of the level of intolerance and homophobia that still exists in our culture he sees the service that shows like Greek provide by educating and familiarizing people with issues they may have otherwise been unwilling to understand.

Prayers for Bobby is a true story starring Sigourney Weaver who plays a mother that could not reconcile her adherence to her Christian Presbyterian beliefs and her son Bobby's homosexuality. As a direct result when he was 20 he threw himself off a freeway overpass and died instantly leading his mother to personal transformation and acts of courage as a fierce activist for PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Jody Huckaby, Executive Director, PFLAG, shared with me, "This film is a story of the human spirit that provides an opportunity to look into the lives of these people who had to go through profound adversity to resolve ignorance, reconcile religious beliefs, and finally accept who they are. Religion is still a barrier to equality and acceptance. We saw how marriage equality played out as a result of religion here in California." Scott Bailey, who stars in a gay role opposite the title character in Prayers for Bobby, said that it was the most meaningful role he has ever done. He also said that he knows firsthand how this film is serving our culture having seen his own conservative family gain a more positive perspective on lgbt issues as a result.

I don't watch a lot of television as an adult. However, when I was a teenager I know I would have been greatly served by the message, "You are okay. There is nothing wrong with you. Others are going through what you are going through. You still deserve nothing less than total love and acceptance." Thanks to trail blazers like Billy Crystal, Ellen Degeneris, Eric McCormack and Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) and our current Television creators and actors who are serving gay youth by broadcasting this message. As a result, even If only one life is positively changed or one mother who doesn't understand becomes more understanding or suicide among gay youth is reduced by only one percent, it would be worth it.

Please comment on how positive images in media and television have personally empowered you, whether you're gay/straight, black/white and all shades in between!

In an ever-changing world Jason's coaching empowers you to start living life on your terms, creating a career and life based on personal integrity and authenticity! Learn more at www.jmannino.com and request a free copy of Jason's e-book: Mind Your Mind, Manage Your Thoughts: Tips to Turn Your Mind Into Your Ally by e-mailing [e-mail]

Comments

[KinkyGirl]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I still think that TV shows make a lot of fun of gay people. Not just fun, gay characters (young and old) are almost always presented as stupid, shallow and freakish. I never thought Will and Grace was funny at all. It seems to me that writers, and people who approve scripts, don't want to put their brains to work. The just want easy, cheap laughs. Then again, correct me if I'm wrong.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

You're not wrong, I certainly agree that there have been many caricatures and shallow illustrations of lgbt people on television. Will and Grace certainly had more than enough of its share of those kinds of moments.

However, some television, like the images described in my article have gotten much more real, honest, down to earth, respectful, etc.

Both sides of this equation are a reality.

Thanks for sharing!
Jason

[TigersEye]

It's unfortunate that here we are in the 21st century and people are still in the "closet", including many celebrities who don't realize they would have the admiration of their fans regardless of their sexual orientation.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

I believe you are absolutely right on with that one! There are many celebrities who still feel that they need to be inauthentic to keep their careers. We indeed have a long way to go, but I think their has been enough of a shift that these people would have still have their fans if they "came out"

Thanks for sharing!
Jason

[LMPE]

I think that we also need to see more lesbians on TV. I once had an idea for a TV show that would feature two openly lesbian characters.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

I think you have a good point! did you follow through on your TV show?

thanks for your input!
Jason

[gascelebrations]

I wholeheartedly agree with this article. Unfortunately, it's gay culture that just doesn't seem to "get it". Why are pride rallies sponsored by lubes and toys, but gay firefighters, cops and teachers are still in the closet? Why do we shove images of pride parades featuring puppy-players, leather mommies, and the sexual fringe into American living rooms, yet demand everything on those terms? Whose fault is it REALLY that our TV representatives are Carson and Jack? To use the African-American analogy- when will we stop giving America the Minstrel Show? Or even deeper - why are we concerned with gay images in TV programs being evidence of so-called "success", and not as concerned with real issues like meth abuse, P&P, and a resurgence of unsafe sex in our communities?

Gay culture has a long way to go in learning the lessons of the African-American civil rights movement. There's a serious need for some community self-regulation before we can point the finger at external reasons why we're not perceived "this way" or "that way". Being proud of who we are doesn't necessarily equate to a public free-for-all where we flaunt our worst, then demand rights and expectations at the same time. Quite simply, if we want to be legal parents and reap rewards of partnerships and "marriage", then we might have to take a long, hard look at the way we sell ourselves to the American public.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Jason - you are one of my inspirations on the HuffPost-- I love your passion

Deb and I had our own T.V. show in London and so I had a strong connection with images and how powerful T.V. etc. is

Just a couple of minutes is amazing what it does to the brain and how effective it is to influence us ..primarily the unconscious mind.

Hopefully we can get more and more compassionate T.V.---am I dreaming?

Joyfully,

Ed

P.S. I am an optimist ....

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for our support! In regards to your last comment about "dreaming" - dreaming is a good place to start.

I think there is a presence of people creating more compassionate television, including internet TV..

thanks!
Jason

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

good to hear

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Jason,
I am so GLAD (yes, there is a pun there) to see you highlight the media's portrayal for gay youth.

Coming from a farm in Kansas,Amanda Bearse was the first openly gay woman that I ever met. Her partner was one of my best friends in high school. It made me think of what a challenge it was to grow up Bible thumping Kansas. Your mention of..." the true story of a mother that could not reconcile her adherence to her Christian Presbyterian beliefs and her son Bobby's homosexuality. As a direct result when he was 20 he threw himself off a freeway overpass and died instantly" breaks my heart.

I know that this story plays out in so many American homes today.

Thank you and Kathy for sharing the LOVE,
Eli

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Eli:

Thanks for your undying support and voice of love! Yes, Prayer's for Bobby, is indeed a true story, it airs again on Lifetime this week, and will have a special screening/panel discussion at Outfest (Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) this year. It's also nominated for some primetime Emmy's (Sigourney is up for best actress, etc), so if you know any voters spread the word :-)

Love to you,
jason

[chamabahama]

Awesome article!!! I worked on "Ellen" when she came out, and my bosses at the time wrote what we referred to as "The Puppy" episode, which we were all really proud of. I remember though that as proud and happy as everyone on the show was, we still had to be cleared off the stage at the end of the filming because of a bomb threat. A year before then, I remember a friend being scared to come out to me because another friend had come out and she was scared that I would think I was turning my friends gay. Like I had that power, but that's how much fear was in our consciousness back then. The strides that have been made in acceptance since the mid-90's are amazing, which really, in my point of view, on a soul level have been evolutionary; evolutionary in the sense that the strides made reflect more acceptance within our consciousness, personally and as a society, to know that love is just love. My belief is that that's all there really is. Jason, thank you for your article :) May TV continue to reflect and lead us to this message.

[NWBrunette]

It'll be nice to see transgender folks on TV as well. Wonder when that will happen?

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

It has happened though very few and far between. The Law and Order episode that I cite in the list of attendees actually dealt with transgender issues. BUt, again, it is few and far between...

[rjmiller]

I've recently been watching the early 90's show "Northern Exposure" and was pleased to see the extremely positive portayal of a gay couple. They're two, perfectly normal, very nice former marines that move to the Alaska town to open a B&B. The best part is that no one in the town really cares at all.

[Giada]

I believe Brokeback Mountain is inspiriational, and a good example. Ellen as a sensitive, kind, funny, non-obtrusive example for all.

The film The Bible Tells Me So was helpful within our large family. Two evangelicals who struggled to accept my son's gay partner became sensitized to the issue with this film.

Milk, the film, Sean Penn, Dustin Lance Black.

Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, (Merchant Ivory Productions) who had a 45 year personal relationship.

[Michael Henry Adams - Huffpost Blogger]

As I note in my most recent post, Meeting the Maysles: Grey Gardens Comes to Harlem, I noted how rare affirming representations are for us still and all the more so in the past. Nonetheless some stereotypical images such as the Maysles brother's 'Little and Big' Edie from Grey Gardens, Clifton Webb's Waldo Lydecker or George Saunder's Addison de Witt, were so true and brave as to inspire us anyhow.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for your input. And I absolutely agree affirming images are still too rare.. I am going to check out your article.

Thanks!
Jason

[Myemailfd]

I have just seen that film Prayers for Bobby; it is so sad and heart-wretching.

I believe that, yes, there have been great advancements made and this is a positive. But it certainly needs to continue up to the point where it is no longer a novelty anymore, that it is just accepted.

I think Ellen is doing a great job. Oprah has done great stuff, as have many others.

May it only continue.

[rainbowblue]

I'm 25 and grew up with Ellen and Will and Grace. I have to say Ellen was a better inspiration. Will and Grace was fun, until you realized that Will was too pathetic. For the longest time in that show it seemed Will would never find a meaningful relationship with a guy (let alone touch one), and worse it seemed that it didn't matter since he had Grace. I remember getting excited whenever there was even the slightest gay content in any tv show those days, even though it was usually pretty mild (even in Will and Grace). Of course most of the time the gay in whatever show was supported by friends, but was alone, sad, unsexual, and just pathetic.

I don't watch much tv these days, so I can't comment on what's out there now. What I will say is that having Brokeback Mountain as the image for the headline is ripe with irony as well.

[JSDKoeln]

Well, not sure it was teh actor's fault. The network censored everything to keep it G rated. Yeah, it was pretty pathetic in hindsight, but at the time, it was revolutionary in its own way.

[Paulied]

Fantastic article, Jason. I think that so much of the advancements we've made in public acceptance have been the direct result of the visibility of realistic gay and lesbian characters on TV. To me, the importance of Ellen Degeneres' courageous coming out cannot possibly be overstated; that was the watershed moment which defined post-Stonewall gay movement. Thank you to all of the brave men and women - gay and straight - who continue to present us in so realistic a fashion!

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for sharing your enthusiastic perspective on the work the media and tv has done to advance lgbt visibility and equality!

Jason

[KaLaPa111]

Agreed. It is very important to have positive images of LGBT Americans on television because for many people in this country, t.v. is their only access to the LGBT community. Indeed, it is important to represent all Americans (particularly ethnic/rac­ial/religi­ous minorities and LGBTs) in a positive light beginning with shows geared towards the pre-school demographic. It's important to teach our children early on that America is a country filled with diverse groups of people and though we may look/talk different or like different things, we are all deserving of love and respect.

I know it sounds sappy but we seriously need to take control of the message we are sending to America's youth so that one day America can truly become a post-racial and post-homophobic society.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you! I love your phrase "post-racial and post-homophobic" society. Can I use them?

Jason