2AMt: Soon after I wrote this Forum Theatre post on the Bechdel Test, the question arose: what might be a similar test for LGBT characters? Being both gay and up for the challenge, I gave it a try. Here it is:
The Test – Does the movie have?
1. An identifiable LGBT character
2. Who has a conversation with someone else*
3. About something other than sexuality
2 comments:
I had heard about the "Bechdel Test" a while ago, but forgotten it by name until I was reminded by this article.
I think that this test (both Bechdel and Bechdel 2.0) expose something interesting about the way media depicts these groups (women and members of the LGBTQ community, respectively). I don't think that these movies (TV shows, plays, etc.) are necessarily trying to disrespect women and the LGBTQ community, or even portray them in a negative light. What it does expose is that the media still views being female, gay, bisexual, or trans* as a character's defining characteristic. Rather than that label being one of many facets of a complex character, that is portrayed as the overwhelming, overarching, most important part of their personality. Clearly, this isn't true, considering that reality TV shows (featuring real actual people) pass the Test.
In reality, a person's gender identity or sexuality contribute to their personality just as much as their hometown, their fears, their skills, their pet peeves, their style, and every other part of them do. I believe that as society starts to accept women and members of the LGBTQ as much society already accepts heterosexual, cisgenedered men, the media will start to reflect positively. (This is not to suggest, however, that only heterosexual, cisgendered men are free from harmful stereotypes.)
Today, the "gay character" is still probably going to function as a witty, homosexual man who offers blunt, comedic advice to the leading female character, or a homosexual woman who'll spend most of the film defeating various sexual conquests. That's because these are the current stereotypes we associate with these groups. However, when you think about it, that's significantly better than the function a "gay character" performed 50, 30, 20, or even 10 years ago.
I entirely agree with Pia. I think that this article, through evaluating the depiction of LGBT characters in movies, tv, and stage plays, also reflects society's current view of LGBT people. Because movies and tv shows cater to a commercial, wide, American audience, it is clear that Americans (and the expectation of general American perception) is that LGBT people are still mostly confined to stereotypes and their sexual orientation/gender identity completely overshadows any other traits or characteristics they would have as human beings. The good news is that there are LGBT characters in a majority of shows and movies. There mere existence in these mediums is a testament that the country at large is increasingly accepting. I believe that reality shows (and also talk/news shows - note Ellen Degeneres, Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Maddow, and Suze Orman) are really helping tv and movies advance as far as 3-dimensional inclusion and acceptance of LGBT characters. This in turn is also affecting national audiences and influencing their beliefs and opinions.
While not many shows passed the test in the article, I certainly don't think it's all bad news.
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