Major Studio INTERFACE Fall 07'

The Gay Word..Project Documentation

Project Research Document

I. Summary of project idea –

The question I asked when evaluating this project “How could I bring controversy and awareness about stereotyping”? My first iteration was a print advertising campaign that involved stereotypical images of different cultures. In my research I found images are very effective, but if translated wrong the premise could become very unclear. This is when the thought of documenting the subject as an alternative solution. The process of documentation is a very valuable formula for capturing an integrated assessment.

A Documentary examines curtain aspects like narrative, the ability to compose very insightful story based on facts and objectivity. The subject I chose to explore was The Gay Word and all of the stereotypes that are connected with being Gay.

Gay Men
Gay men are most often stereotyped as being effeminate[5] despite the fact that gender identity and sexual orientation are widely accepted to be distinct from each other.[6] The 'Flaming Queen' is a characterization that melds flamboyancy and effeminacy, making it almost the stock gay male character in Hollywood.[7] Theatre, specifically Broadway musicals, are a component to another stereotype, the 'Show Queen.'[8] The stereotype generalizes that all gay men listen to show tunes and are involved with the performing arts.

Gay Women
Lesbians are most often seen as butch, femme or lipstick lesbians.[21] They are also stereotyped as being interested in traditionally masculine occupations such as construction, the military, law enforcement, or truck driving.[22] Feminists are often portrayed as lesbian due to their perceived misandry,[23] and as a result lesbians are often stereotyped as "man-haters"[24] or radical feminists.[25]
See also: U-Haul lesbian

Appearance and mannerisms
In addition to being called effeminate, gay men are also identified with a lisp and/or a female-like tone and lilt.[9][10] Fashion, effeminacy and homosexuality have long been associated. A stereotype based on the visibility (within popular and consumer culture) of a reciprocal relationship between gay men and fashion; gay men who are visible in popular culture may purchase fashion as a means of expression; and gay men have high visibility within the industry creating said fashion.[11] This has become a countertype in recent years with the arrival in the mainstream of such shows as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.[12] The "Queer Eye" countertype has been criticized for its use of stereotypes to create a false impression of groundbreaking progress while simply reinforcing old, patronizing identity scripts and convenient generalizations with questionable validity.[13]
Designers, such as Calvin Klein, have made use of homoerotic imagery in their advertising. This encourages the stereotype that gay men enjoy shopping.[14]

Sex and relationships
A prevalent stereotype about gay men is that they are promiscuous and unsuccessful in developing enduring same-sex relationships. However, several surveys of gay men in the United States have shown that between 40 percent and 60 percent are involved in a steady relationship.[15] Research also suggests that a slightly higher proportion of lesbians than gay men may be in steady relationships.[16][17] Gay men are also often alleged as having pedophiliac tendencies and more likely to commit child sexual abuse than the heterosexual male population, a view rejected by mainstream psychiatric groups and contradicted by available research.[18][19][20]

LGBT 2007 , LGBT stereotypes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_stereotypes
August 2007