PORTRAYAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE MEDIA

Conservative Christian views

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1999: Warning labels on TV programs

Christian Action Network's president, Martin Mawyer, asked on 1999-FEB-24 for an appointment with William Kennard, Chairman of the Federal Communication Commission. ₂ Mawyer would like to see a "HC" (Homosexual Conduct) warning label placed on any TV programs which portray homosexual acts. "Parents have a right to be warned about programs depicting acts of homosexuality on television. Members of our organization have become increasingly disgusted with the amount of homosexuality in television programming. More than two dozen homosexual characters are portrayed weekly on network television alone. Unless these producers are trying to promote a secret agenda, they should have no problems alerting parents that their programs contain homosexual content." It was not clear whether the proposed warning label would be use in TV programs which actually showed people engaging in homosexual acts, or which only implied that homosexual acts were being done off screen, or which simply had an actor playing an out-of-the closet gay or lesbian character. It is also not clear whether the "more than two dozen homosexual characters" which appear weekly on TV actually over represent or under represent the occurrence of homosexuality in the general population. The idea was apparently not adopted.

2003: A conservative Christian view of TV programs with erotic or sexual content:

Camerin Courtney, writing for the Evangelical Christian magazine Christianity Today in 2003-SEP observed that today's TV programs, novels, movies, etc., portray many more erotic or sexual situations, when compared to past decades. They have the potential to rapidly change viewers' attitudes towards sexual behavior.

Courtney commented:

But, of course, others watch these programs and gradually revise the sexual standards which were taught to them as children. By watching TV programs and other media they may embrace pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and other sexual matters as normal, natural, and free of sin, if it is performed in a safe, consensual and non-manipulative manner.

Interesting resource:

References used:

1. Camerin Courney, "The New Sexual Temptation," Christianity Today, 2003-SEP-3, at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/
2. "TV warning proposed for homosexual conduct," Evangelical Press News Service, quoted in Maranatha Christian Journal for 1999-FEB-24. Available at: http://www.mcjonline.com/news/news3037.htm
3. "Gay-TV" is an e-mail mailing list which distributes a free weekly guide to mainstream television programs that feature lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender themes. To subscribe, send an E-mail to listserv@xconn.com, leaving the subject line blank and inserting as the message: SUBSCRIBE GAY-TV

Copyright © 1999 to 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2005-FEB-25
Author: B.A. Robinson