quote:

Originally posted by neverbeensurer:
I'm always quite pleased to hear about gay dramas/characters/television programmes/films/books or anything else in the media relating to homosexuality. Not necessarily because it's promoting a more tolerant stance, accepting homosexuals as an everyday part of our society, challenging stereotypes or something to that effect. These I should argue are excellent things, and things that we should expect! But this is not the reason. These mediums are a device through which we can determine perception, opinion and invariably misconception.

I didn't watch Clapham Junction which in hindsight I decided had been a mistake. As I lurked in the forums reading praise, criticism, and indifference I made the decision that I must see why the prevailing opinion was such a negative one. Why did so many people think that the programme had portrayed gay men so negatively? I had to know, and I had to form my own conclusion. So I watched it on 4oD (4 on Demand).

The most common criticisms were about stereotypes upheld and not discouraged through the characters and their activities. To name but a few: drug use, promiscuous sex, infidelity, clubbing, underage sex, and paedophilia. Well right now I am going to completely dismiss clubbing because their was only one scene in the programme set in a club. So shut up. You and I both knows it happens a hell of a lot more than that. And before you start shouting 'but that doesn't represent me!' hold on because I'm not done, and I didn't say it represents you.

I'm going to start with the drug use, infidelity, and apparent promiscuity. Yes, we see a man at his civil-partnership reception take one of the young waiters to the pantry as he's finishing his shift to take cocaine and do the naughties with the dangly bits. Well yes, fair enough you can criticise the 'groom' for being unfaithful at his own wedding but then who said that he was in a monogamous relationship in the first place?

Well, alright, in this instance Channel 4's writers happened to have made it quite clear that he is meant to be in a monogamous relationship. So fair do's, he probably shouldn't be messing around with someone else. But here is the first of the many times I am going to say this: It does happen! Gay men do take drugs and cheat. Straight men take drugs and cheat. Black men take drugs and cheat. Asian women take drugs and cheat. Let's get real. The writers weren't saying all, and only, gay men take drugs. I will say that I know gay men who do take drugs, so get a grip - it happens. I've taken drugs. Is it because I'm gay? No - it's because it can be fun! The 'cheating' does happen. And no I am not saying everyone does it, but people do do it.

Now the underage sex, and the paedophilia. All of my boyfriends had sex when they were underage (except the current one). I myself had sex when I was underage. And I had sex with people that were over the age of consent. I don't think it makes them paedophiles. No, I wouldn't do it, simply because I don't like people younger than me. They annoy me, and I don't often think they are in the least attractive. But again, it does happen. And yes, some people are paedophiles and some people take advantage of a position of authority, trust, and care. Some people abuse children and young people against their will. But I have to say, the fourteen year old boy in Clapham Junction took long enough harassing that man before they actually did anything and he sure looked like he was enjoying it. Just as I did when I was fifteen. Where was the abuse? It's isn't a black and white issue that you can simply condemn on the basis of his age. He was standing at the window having a 'play'! Condemn that you conservative... people (Had to take all the swearing out). It happens!

The cottaging (sex in public toilets) and the cruising in the park. No one was harmed except the people that got beaten up by bigots out to bash someone up for fun. And that happens to be something I choose not to do. But I respect the right of others to do so (the sex). If homosexuality hadn't become so repellent in the eyes of 'society' then people wouldn't have been forced to live lies, cruise parks late at night, and hang around urine stinking public toilets just to satisfy their sexual desire. It was all people had for a long time, and there's something to be said for being a bit naughty. When homosexuality became legal some people just didn't get the 'thrill' anymore. A lot of people have sex in public places, and do things that are taboo. Because it's fun! And guess what, it does happen!

You're right to shout out 'this doesn't represent me! I sit at home drinking tea, watching the television, having sex once a week, and working as a librarian!' That's fine. It doesn't represent you. You're so concerned with the way your sexuality is portrayed that you seem to have lost sight of the fact that we aren't all the same. It doesn't represent you, but it does represent some people. Some people that happen to be gay. Which was after all the point of the programme. Why didn't they make it about someone like you? Because it would have been boring. No offence, but working in a library and sipping tea's hardly drama. That is, after all, what it was - a drama.

I really enjoyed it. It provoked emotions which I have felt through experience. Fear, anticipation, anxiety, lust, and embarrassment. I recognised circumstances and events from my own life. Thumbs up to Channel 4.