We have a question for you kids: at which point does highlighting homosexuality hinder journalism? We’re not talking outing people here. We’re talking stories that could otherwise be presented without discussing sexuality.
The reason we ask is that we just came across this op-ed piece in today’s Cape Argus in which South African journalist Nosimilo Ndlovu scolds the South African press for sensationizing gay-themed stories in order to get an unethical rise. Ndlovu writes:
The media is always quick to point out sexuality in news, even if it is unrelated to the crime – creating a sense of “otherness”, that the community is not part of the rest of society. Headlines such as “Lesbian rapes old granny” insinuate that the lesbian’s sexuality is reason for her actions. There are more reports of men raping women but we would never see headline that says “Heterosexual man rapes young girl”.
Of course, such eye-popping tactics aren’t endemic to just South Africa.
Consider the murder of Bryan Charles Kocis. Nearly every headline about his brutal stabbing and the combustible cover-up references the fact that Kocis owned gay porn production company, Cobra Media. Certainly it helped spread the story to myriad media outlets, this site included, but does that make it right? We’re not sure. We suppose from a socially conscious perspective, no, not really? One could argue, however that his murder may be intrinsically tied to his porny past, thus making it a potentially important detail.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
So, let’s consider a hypothetical situation. Say a gay man has sex with a little boy. Many mainstream media would blow his sexuality out of proportion, thus perpetuating false links between homosexuality and pedophilia. Meanwhile, some gay media outlets wouldn’t touch that story. There’ve been a number of stories we’ve avoided for just that reason. In that case, who’s right? At which point does sexuality become an intrinsic part of the story and when can it be eschewed in the name of furthering social acceptance?
Just something we’ve been pondering and would love to hear what you guys have to say about it.
Matty
There is definitely a line in the media. Linking a gay porn producer’s profession to his murder is a given in my opinion. But say: “Homosexual Wins Race”, or something else along those lines. Sometimes the sexuality of the situation is the issue. I want to know if there is a gay rapist on the loose.
I don’t like how Queerty stated “a gay man has sex with a little boy.” That isn’t a gay man, that’s a pedophile. Gay media needs to touch on these stories, and say, uh yeah that’s disgusting, morally rephresenshible, and like TOTALLY not gay.
Vinman
Unfortunatley the media(but not you my dear queerty) is all about hype and attention grabbing. Gay pride parades have for years been the big news item of the day. “Look at all those funny faggots!” Yet last year I saw very little on the mainstream news about the Gay Games and I live not too far from Chi Town. We are news when its bad, strange or different. But not news when showing the public we are just like everybody else.
BC
Nearly every day my local paper has story ledes along the lines of “Local Restaurant Owner Dies in Fire” or “North Hills High Student Killed in Wreck”, so identifying a victim by some characteristic information doesn’t strike me as necessarily sinister. Particularly since it’s entirely possible his murder has something to do with his business dealings. Like it or not, porn production of any variety is an occupation where one meets shady characters with greater frequency than, say, chartered accountancy. If porn were a pillar of the Chamber of Commerce I doubt you’d be objecting to the headlines. Nor were you outraged about Timothy Boham’s occupation being identified when he murdered his sugar daddy.
David
The real question is how to determine if a subject’s sexuality is truly germane to what’s being written about. That changes depending on the intent of the article or publication.
Example: I’m a gay man and I’m elected mayor. My city has never had a gay mayor before.
A gay publication that wants to present us in a positive light will say that my being the first gay mayor is newsworthy.
A publication interested only in reporting the news will likely describe me by name, and discuss the issues I campaigned on and my past experience
A publication seeking to turn sentiment against gay people will ignore my campaign promises and focus solely on the “Who thinks I’m hot” section of my gay.com profile and impending City Hall Mansex Fest.