Program Length: 1/2 hour
Produced: 2004

The following questions and activities are based on the order in which information is presented in the video.  The activities included here cover three different types of questions and assignments: basic review questions on information that is presented in the video; questions which deal with issues or events requiring further research; and assignments which require personal reflection on the issues being explored.  You may wish to view the video, or sections of it, more than once. 

The activities included here are only suggestions.  You may wish to adapt these for the students in your class.  Some of the questions might be best addressed in small group discussions or in a form of classroom debate; you may wish to extend others to include a specific action or personal writing.  Obviously, it is important to use those activities that best suit the students and the curriculum. 

1.  At the beginning of the video, George Stroumboulopoulos explains that gay culture has become part of mainstream culture, especially visible in the medium of television.  He describes television as a “mirror that reflects society” and one that has become open to gay culture in its programming.

a)  List the shows that are mentioned as examples of television’s openness to gay culture.  If you or your classmates have seen these shows, discuss your responses to them. 

b)  Complete a content analysis while watching television over a 2-3 day period, making note of how often you see a gay or lesbian character in a television program. 

c)  Describe these characters.  Do they exist solely in terms of their sexual orientation or are they involved in story lines that focus on something else? 

d)  Are these characters stereotypes or are they fully developed (multi-dimensional)?

e)  What kinds of challenges or issues do these shows address?  Are these story lines inclusive of gay characters?   

2.  George talks about the fact that for some musicians, it is possible today to be more open about their sexuality. 

a)  Several musicians are interviewed here.  What comments and observations do they share about being openly gay in the music business?

b)  Kinnie Starr says that someone’s sexuality “is not an issue”.  In your experience, to what extent is this statement true today?  To what extent does a musician’s sexual orientation affect their acceptance or popularity as an artist?

3.  We meet members of the band “Skinjobs”, a BC punk rock band that explores queer issues from a much different perspective. 

a)  What is the origin of the band’s name?  What statement are they making through this name?  How important do you think this statement is for young audiences today?  Explain.

b)  Referring to a billboard ad for botox, Mitch Fury of the Skinjobs talks about the fact that some gays, like some heterosexual people in our society, are concerned about image and appearance.  In 1996, David Steen, president of the Institute of Canadian Advertisers said that “gay marketing is the way of the future”.  Look for advertising that indicates a sensitivity toward sexual orientation.  Deconstruct these ads, examining the design techniques used, the message being conveyed and the impact on target audiences.  How is the gay population being targeted by advertisers today?  Are the strategies similar to what is used to target the heterosexual population, or different?  Do you think these ads are effective?  Why or why not? 

c)  Mitch Fury goes on to describe the stereotypes that exist for all men and women in our society, regardless of their sexual orientation, and he questions the accuracy of these ‘labels’ for individuals. 

i)   Define the word ‘stereotype’.  In your opinion, what are the problems that arise from the use of stereotypes?  What stereotypes exist today for men and women, and boys and girls? 

ii)   What does Mitch say is the problem with stereotypes in our culture?  Do you agree with this statement?  Explain your answer with examples. 

4.  George states that “no matter how much queer culture infiltrates the mainstream, there will always be homophobia and there will always be homophobia in music as well”.  He explains that for some artists, homophobia has become the centrepiece to their music.  Eminem is one artist whose music is criticized for being homophobic.  “Gay rights activists have accused rap star Eminem of promoting prejudice against homosexuals in his lyrics.”

a)  Many artists express concern over the influence that lyrics like Eminem’s might have on young audiences.  Examine several of Eminem’s songs.  To what extent do you share this concern?  How powerful are messages in music for young people today?  To what extent does music influence attitudes and actions?

b)  How does Eminem respond when asked if he is homophobic?  How do other artists respond to him and his music?

5.  K-OS desribes hip hop and dance hall music as being very homophobic.  Do you agree?  Give examples to support your answer.

a)  Explain why K-OS believes our culture is not welcoming of queer culture, and why it isn’t time for an openly gay artist.   Do you agree with his description of our culture and the reason for people’s attitudes today? 

6.   Monica Deol, formerly of Citytv, has talked about the power of the media in shaping people’s attitudes and values.  She said “the media reflect what a society will tolerate or find decent.  It’s what the average person walking down the street thinks of their world.”  Do you agree?  Do our experiences with the media determine what we find acceptable?  Does that mean that we turn our decision-making power about what is or is not acceptable over to broadcasters and writers?  Explain your answer with examples from your own experience.

7.  According to K-OS, while most hip hop music is “ultra-masculine” and is not really interested in appealing to gay men, there is a contradiction inherent in the music and its imagery.

a)  Explain this contradiction.  Analyse several hip hop music videos and discuss whether or not you believe K-OS’ comments apply. 

b)  Emile Wilbekin, the editor of Vibe magazine says that on a pop music level, it is still impossible for an artist to be openly gay and reach their target market, although no artist has really tried this yet.  There are, however, some exceptions coming forward.  Comment on the music of Caushin.  What are his goals as a gay artist?

8.  Gay Folk Church music, and specifically the music of Hidden Cameras, has become known for making a political statement.  How do the musicians describe their music and the motivation behind it?  How have audiences responded to this?

9.  Several artists, including Rufus Wainwright, Boy George, Marilyn Manson, Ann Rice and Christina Aguilera, comment on the importance of breaking through stereotypes in our culture.

a)  Comment on the observations of several of these artists.

b)  The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) presented a special award to Christina Aguilera for including gay and transgendered images in her “Beautiful” video.  Aguilera herself says that the song is a “universal anthem for anyone and everyone who definitely feels unaccepted or discriminated against just by being who they are.”

 i)  Watch the video for “Beautiful”.  Discuss your response to the video with your peers.  Do you believe it conveys an important message for youth today?

ii)   “The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.”  To learn more about the work of this organization, visit their website at: www.glaad.org

c)  Marilyn Manson says that “people’s differences and fears are only as powerful as you make them.  If I can attack them or talk about them, or get people to think about them more, it changes the boundaries and often makes people be more open-minded.  I think that is kind of positive.”

i)  Do you agree with the statement that “people’s differences and fears are only as powerful as you make them”?  In what ways do people make their fears powerful?  Is it possible to diminish these fears and lessen the differences that people believe exist between themselves and others?  To what extent do these statements apply to queer culture in our society?

ii)  “Racism is all about fear and ignorance.”  Explain the meaning of this statement.  Does this statement apply to homophobia in our culture as well?  Explain.

iii)  To what extent do you think Marilyn Manson attacks people’s fears through his music?  Watch several videos by Marilyn Manson and discuss the messages being conveyed.  Do you agree that his music challenges his audiences to become more open-minded?  Explain your answer with examples from the videos. 

10.    The final interview of the program takes place with Rufus Wainwright.  What is the focus of this interview?  What does this interview contribute to the overall program?  Why is it important that this segment is included?  Explain how this segment provides an appropriate conclusion to the program. 

Biography:

Carolyn Wilson is a teacher, author, consultant and President of the Association for Media Literacy in Ontario, Canada.  Co-author of the best selling textbook, Mass Media and Popular Culture, Version 2, she has given presentations across Canada, and in Austria, Brazil, Costa Rica, Greece and the United States. 

In 1998, on behalf of the Association for Media Literacy, she accepted an award for “The Most Influential Media Organization in North America” from the World Council on Media Education.  Carolyn teaches Media Literacy, World Development and English at St. Michael Secondary School in Stratford, Ontario.  She is also the CHUM media education consultant for the London Public Library, which houses the first Media Literacy Centre of its kind in North America.
 

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