This is a sensible article, well written and coming from personal experience.  I have a writing partner named Marcia Ellen Beevre who, in her teens, considered herself bi-sexual.  As her twenties drifted over the horizon, she realized that not only did she have a sexual preference for women, she was a total lesbian.  Today she is married to her long--time partner and both are doing exceptionally well.  Sexuality, be it heterosexual, homosexual or transgendered, is a source of constant change in every individual.  It is part of who we are and who we become over time.  I've had many discussions about the L Word with my friends.  Most were happy that a show concerning their community actually made it to TV as a major series.  Some were picky that the girls were all "pretty people" and not truly representative of most lesbians.  Opinions are not the granted only to heterosexuals.  The gay community abounds with them, as you have shown.

I've had a similar discussion with many of my friends in the GLBT community. From what I've seen with my friends (probably not the most representative sample), the longer they've been "out" the more comfortable they are with images like you've described. My recently transgendered friend is far more sensitive to any jokes that might have a gender preference (even about something as trivial as calling makeup "girlie"), but our mutual friend who's been transgendered for much longer is much more comfortable with it, and he lets it slide off. In the same token, it seems to be my friends who are most comfortable with their sexuality that are also most comfortable with depictions in cinema that aren't intentionally anti-gay.

@GodlessLiberal - That makes perfect sense.  When I first came out, little things bothered me here and there.  Now, not at all.  It's pretty sad, though, how some people get into the whole activism thing and take it way too far.  It's an embarrassment for the rest of us.

hug <3

I love how you wrote this. The kind of complaining and over-sensitivity you describe is prevalent in nearly all circles. I think acceptance and change come through more sophisticated means than bitching, yes?

This was an interesting read. I went to an ultra PC university. When I say ultra PC I mean... over the top. So, I have definitely seen both sides. While attending, I gathered the following from the PC kids: Because there is so little representation of the glbt community in the media, what IS represented should be as accurate as possible. Take Queer as Folk. All white, extremely promiscuous, social drug users who party shirtless mosts nights. If someone, some conservative father whose son has just come out, or someone who never has never or will never meet a gay person were to see this, think about the messages they would get.
I read that article written by the FTM. He uses phrases like "in truth" - like he is speaking for the entire community. He writes very "matter of fact", which is no different than what the show is doing.With all the information and resourses available through the internet, trans people can find what's right for them, rather than mimicing a fictional character. I feel the director is entitled to creative license.

I like the point you made: not every character can or will cater to every individual. So true!

But on the flip side, I wouldn't want gays represented in a horrible light. If Glee (super mainstream) were to make all of the lgbt characters have an abusive past - I'd be pretty pissed. If all the lesbians on Glee were raped as children, yeah, I'd be upset.
There is no denying people's thought process. If a heterosexual person is abused, they are merely abused. But if a lesbian is abused? Oh, maybe that's why she's a lesbian. Sucks. I guess it's a fine line.

Good read!

@AncoraImparo - Thanks much!  I would love to see more shows depicting LGBT characters--a variety of flavors in personality, struggles, successes, etc.  I think that will happen, eventually. Only a few years ago, I doubt many could have imagined we'd have as many shows as we do today with such characters.  It'll get better

@Nitzchiya - I'm glad you mentioned the pride parades. Frankly, I'm torn. I've been to Chicago's and I live in DC so I try to go every year. They are a ball. It's like our community is being held to higher standards than the straight community.
Mardi gras? Drunk ass mofos puking, making fools of themselves, flashing their goods every which way - totally accptable. No rucus, no issues, no comments, nothing. I've been to Burbeon st. It is one big sin fest!!! (which I love, btw) Men begging for boobs on every single balcony, no joke. All this on a regular night out!
But then, one gay pride parade - WHOA call the press, lock up your children, pray to the good lord because they are out of control!!!
It's sad.
It pisses me off. In a way, it makes me want to offend the prudes even more. But then I know it is counter productive. No bueno. Thus, I'm torn. hehe.
I need to re-watch Imagine me and you :)

This is very well-written, and I completely understand where you're coming from.  I also understand where the others are coming from.  Unfortunately, in our society, there are a large number of people who do not know anyone in their own lives who is LGBT of any stripe, and so they are getting their education from shows like the L Word.  (And this isn't just true of the LGBT community... members of "minority" religions, races, and nationalities have to put up with the same thing.  Think of what the Muslims have had to put up with.)  When someone places a character before these people who is flawed (even if that flaw has NOTHING to do with that character's sexuality), these people associate that flaw with that particular sexuality or sexual identity because it is simply their only experience with it, especially if that flaw was in line with an already-established stereotype.  It's a subconscious thing, I believe, so it never has the opportunity to be stopped with the realization that it is FICTION.  It actually doesn't have much to do with political correctness, but rather the attempt to change or control how certain people are perceived and reverse negative stereotypes... or more accurate, stop reinforcing them.

@ithiliya - I do totally agree that people who have little to no understanding and stand to be heavily influenced could get a negative view of one type of group or another.  I wonder, though--should we conform to somehow paint a "better" picture for anyone or for any such reason?  Should writers, producers, artists, etc. be limited in their creativity or what they feel to portray...ever? Probably more people in the LGBT community than not want to see other LGBT's depicted in a more realistic way.  I think if there were more people involved in creating those kinds of stories/shows, there would be more of a variety.  That being said, I also do understand where those who complain are coming from...just to a point.

We've already seen a lot of progress compared to only ten years ago.  I think the most acceptance and understanding will come once we see equal rights being a nationwide reality.  Once we're actually treated as equals to the majority, it will sink in more and gradually (though we're a long ways off) become a much smaller issue as has been the case with other misunderstood minority groups.  I think if people realized that and focused any misspent energy on fighting harder for the greater benefit, I don't know, maybe it would happen sooner?  Maybe not, though.

I wish more people within the LGBT community were stepping up with the kind of creativity and passion to get more involved in the media to share their ideas.  More of a variety and something for everyone, as it is for the majority.  I realize that's very hard, though, being a much smaller group than those calling the shots.  It's a tough situation, and it does suck.

Thanks for taking the time to read and share your thoughts.  :)