But fear not, change is not always fast and furious.

I do, however, think there has been a huge momentum swing with real-life gays and lesbians in Reality T.V. and on Cable network shows. How many amongst us don’t think Bravo TV is the REAL LOGO?

In time, as more people see the wide variety of temperments and normalcy of all these LGBT’ers on Reality Shows, the notion of including us in NON-Amos and Andy roles will continue to evolve.

Sometimes Televsion doesn’t seem like a Great Wasteland.

The day will come where the majority of Americans will have had both straight and gay experiences. Maybe gay experiences at least once with likely the majority settling down with a straight life partner. And the day will come also where the majority of Americans will kkow of at least one person in their lives who is gay, be it a relative, maybe a close friend, coworker, neighbor or for some a same-sex life partner.

As the years go by, the percentage of GLBT characters on TV will go up as everyone gets used to that and very few think anymore about such things.

In the parallel universe of entertainment, even if we are denied starring roles in TV series, where is our equivalent of a Black or Hispanic sidekick on cop shows, or an “out” Lawyer? Or how about a Super Hero on TV or any positive role model as a reoccurring supporting character in a television action series? Why are these characters so selfishly guarded and falsely represented as being the sole domain of “straight” characters?

Ultimately, what fictional roles do they usually assign to us? The defenders of the status quo generally demotes us to some gay version of “Amos and Andy” and other demeaning stereotypes — like they did to Blacks in the 1950s. What is worst, our very own people in the profession often write the scripts for these good-for-a-laugh-or-two token homos caricatures which occur too frequently on TV shows and at the movies.

Still, there a few good examples: “Brothers and Sisters” comes to mind. I also liked Captain Jack in “Torchwood”. This heroic, bi-sexual, lead character was played by “out” actor, John Barrowman. It was produced in Great Britain and filmed in Wales. Too bad this campy, fun, action SF series is not being renewed for a full season next year. More’s the pity.

I recall a story about an autograph signing event featuring Captain Jack where a little boy came up to him, with his father in tow, and said to John Barrowman: “I don’t care if you like boys or girls, Captain Jack, you’re my hero!”

It almost brought tears to my eyes.

God, I thought, some people just might stop hating and fearing us so very much if they only knew that most of us are just like most of them. Many of us are the very same people which the vast majority of straight men and women, including children, can also look up to and admire. But no one will know this unless our stories are told.

~ Bud Evans

*(Click on my name at the top of this comment to access my blog)

It is a long term effort, but quite distinct from the shorter term political efforts.