Am I the only member in the LGBT television-viewing audience who has a problem with the gay-male stereotype portrayed in ABC’s new drama series “How To Get Away with Murder?”
The cast is universally good-looking. Viola Davis is just a fine actress. Most characters are well-rounded because they all have a bit of a dark side to go with their looks and smartness. The plot is fun, although the future flashbacks may have you rushing for the Dramamine. OK, the law-school stuff is not realistic but that is Hollywood. OK, no defense attorney is that good, but that again is Hollywood.
The problem is the gay character, Connor Walsh, portrayed by Jack Falahee. Yes, it is nice to have a gay character and to see some soft-core gay sex on a broadcast channel and, yes, he is certainly eye candy and worth watching. However, anyone active in the LGBT community will tell you that the one stereotype of the young gay male is that of a promiscuous libertine floating from hook-up to hook-up. The denial of marriage equality for so long reinforced that belief: “Gays just can’t take a relationship seriously and are only interested in sex.” The character is obviously a smart individual, yet he is motivated by sex alone. We have heard that and seen that again and again, and it simply has to stop being reinforced by Hollywood.
The stereotypes are: 1. The first sex we saw in “Murder” was Connor Walsh seducing a somewhat-nerdy computer geek to get some IT assistance. 2. The pick-up was made in a bar. 3. The gay nerd had to be told he was “hot” and that just got him to shed his clothing forthwith. 4. No first or second date, no dinner, no movie, just “slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am.” 5. The next gay sex we see is Connor Walsh seducing someone so he could plant a bug in the guy’s phone. 6. We see his character return to the nerd to “confess” with the excuse “we never said we were exclusive” or “it’s more than sex.” Compounding stereotypes at a record and alarming rate!
Does producer Shonda Rhimes know any multi-dimensional gay men or has her Hollywood experience only been with gay predators who use sex to manipulate people to get what they want? Where is the outrage from the gay community? Why isn’t GLAAD up in her face? Can it be we are lulled into complacency merely because the stereotype isn’t portraying him as feminine or a child molester?
The truth is that not a single “straight” character on “Murder” is sexually profligate. The truth is that the LGBT community deserves better in its television portrayals. The truth is also that we need to continue to stand up and voice our displeasure with stereotypes.
Chuck Volz is senior advisor to Philly Pride Presents.