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    Cali4lifePreston Mitchum
    8/10/17 5:19pm

    This is a tough one - I think you’re saying “a” type is shown and is a better representation than if a different, more common type is shown? That’s interesting, if I am an reading/understanding you correctly.

    Idk, I’d just like to see ranges of folk, like in real life. That seems to be the easiest while also being the least likely, due to those same few white male execs who really mess up everything.

    Edit: to add the word “if”

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      Preston MitchumCali4life
      8/10/17 5:27pm

      Thanks for reading! I’m certainly not saying any type is “better.” We all deserve to be represented, no doubt. I’m calling into question that this type just happens to also be the type who we relegate in real life. And that makes me question would be care about “diversity” if it was flipped. My opinion is no.

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      Cali4lifePreston Mitchum
      8/10/17 5:38pm

      Ah. Okay - got it. I get it much better now, after your response and re-reading. I think I would agree with you then.

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    Bring Back Duckman!Preston Mitchum
    8/10/17 7:33pm

    The only non-stereotypical Black Gay Man character on TV I can think of is Carter Heywood from Spin City, and turns out his actor has a wife and kids. Has tv gone down so much, even if we live in a supposed golden age that still has insensitivity toward people?

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      cyanicBring Back Duckman!
      8/10/17 9:36pm

      He was who I wanted to model myself after. But a lot of who I am is a combination of Whoopi and Sandy Dennis.

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      BozackBring Back Duckman!
      8/10/17 11:24pm

      The Wire ran from 2002 - 2008 and it’s probably the greatest tv show ever made.

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    smoke&waterPreston Mitchum
    8/10/17 4:51pm

    Having led a VEEEERY sheltered, white, Mormon upbringing, this was my first time, knowingly, seeing someone who was gay. I of course now know (as an adult) that he was presented as the quintessential cliche of a black, gay man... but dammit, he was the best part of the movie and I loved his character. It was because of him that I began to seriously question gay people being “evil and sinful” as I had been strictly taught. How could someone so funny and kind-hearted be bad? Hollywood helped me be less of an asshole.

    Illustration for article titled
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      Magic Beefsmoke&water
      8/10/17 5:10pm

      Right here, yo:

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    cyanicPreston Mitchum
    8/10/17 6:54pm

    Masculinity is a premium in both communities. No amount of protest and slander ascribing toxicity to masculine thought and behavior—will diminish the desirability of men who possess it. Effeminate men are usually are first exposure to homosexuality in the media. Our response can be one of validation or embarrassment. I was embarrassed by Hollywood (Mannequin) and Lamar (Revenge of the Nerds) despite loving these characters and their gay depictions now in adulthood.

    I believe all marginalized groups should navigate and negotiate in what is instead of insisting on ought to be. Because we can go all day on ought to be and never move an inch on what is which is usually tried and true.

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    RickyPreston Mitchum
    8/11/17 10:13pm

    Not sure why there has to be a dichotomy between either a fem man or a masc man being represented. As if the entirety of gay Black men can be simply boiled down to one of those two categories.

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    BoSephusPreston Mitchum
    8/10/17 5:40pm
    When some people claim that overrepresentation of black queer femme men is “damaging,” what is really being said is that these men are undesirable—by society and in more intimate ways as well.

    Fucking thank you!!

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    Alf-eePreston Mitchum
    8/10/17 7:21pm

    I love my ratchet girls but it would be damaging if that was the dominant representation of black women on TV. A similar argument could be made for the smart Asian trope. Also usually black gay professional men are shown as secretly undercover or DL.

    Good points though especially about gay dating apps. I’ll report guys who have things like “no fats! no fags! no blacks!” in their profile. But I’m kinda a dick so there’s that.

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