Gay Today: Pen Points

I Don't Want My Gay TV!
That New Channel will Further Isolate Gays

By Miles Christian Daniels

MTV and Showtime are planning to launch a new gay cable channel. I suppose, being gay myself, I should be overjoyed. But I'm not. It's not that I'm against a gay channel in theory. But -- in the big picture -- I'm not certain it's what we really need right now.

Will a network of prorgams like Queer as Folk help or hurt our community?

It's been nearly two years since my "coming out." And if asked, I'm honest about who I am. But, being 'gay' does not mean I want to isolate myself, or allow my sexuality to completely define who I am.

I don't go to a 'gay' church. I've never seen an episode of Showtime's Queer As Folk. I don't even own a rainbow flag.

I'm certainly not opposed to these icons of gay culture. But I do believe these -- and other interest-driven endeavors -- can serve as tools of isolation.

I was having a flat tire fixed when I read the news article about the new gay channel. Reading the article made me think of establishments in our society that isolate other minorities: Lifetime, the cable channel for women, Sunday mornings, the most segregated part of the week, when most blacks and whites go to their own churches.

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The flat tire also gave me time to ponder what a gay cable channel could mean for both myself and other gays.

One of NBC's most popular sitcoms has a deep-seated gay theme. Now into its fourth season, the Emmy Award-winning Will & Grace maintains a winning track record in the ratings war, and has become a jewel amongst NBC's "Must See TV" Thursday lineup.

It's probably fair to say that many heterosexuals have been brave enough to tune into this gay-themed show because it was on NBC -- a channel that certainly caters more to heterosexual relationships. I wonder if some heterosexuals, prior to watching this sitcom, were slightly homophobic and have softened a little because of the shows positive portrayal of gays. If Will and Grace were on the new gay channel, I doubt seriously that many heterosexuals would be watching.

I know a lot of gays who only go to 'gay' bars, worship at 'gay' churches, socialize with 'gay' friends, and watch 'gay'-themed shows. At the same time, though, they're screaming for equal rights, to be recognized as equals in our society.

The cast of Will & Grace

Gays, and any minorities for that matter, should be given equal play. But -- like-it-or-not -- that comes with proving ourselves. Minorities gain equal rights by proving to the majority that our similarities are far greater than our differences.

It's only been a few years ago since Ellen Degeneres was removed from ABC for "coming out" on her show. Now, we have Will and Grace and Queer As Folk. Look around.

Mainstream society is slowly opening its arms and welcoming us in. That has a lot to do with us making them feel comfortable enough to do so. It has a lot to do with including ourselves in their everyday life without compromising who we are, and without isolating ourselves from them.

Miles Christian Daniels is a freelance writer and documentary filmmaker. He lives in Wilmington, N.C. Write him at P.O. Box 28006, Wilmington, NC 28407, or E-Mail him: mcd5024@uncwil.edu.