When it comes to the LGBTQ community and how we are portrayed in comedies, I am of two minds. I like blue humor and see nothing wrong with risque comedy. But at the same time, there is a difference between risque comedy and comedy which sends a message that the LGBTQ orientation is something to be gawked at. I've pulled a couple of scenes from various movies and television shows which I invite to you to view and see if you share my opinion regarding whether they are funny or degrading:
FUNNY - Blazing Saddles. This 1974 classic by Mel Brooks could never be made today because it is so apologetically brutal and politically incorrect. From African-Americans to politicians to Methodists to women, no one gets away unscathed. And the scene above is delightfully funny because of how it implies how a lot of gay men were in musicals during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Not only that, but the humor coming from two movie genres - westerns and musicals - literally crashing against one another is wicked without being degrading.
DEGRADING - Martin - This scene with the title character at the DMV is not all funny. It's basically a big one-note stereotype of the swishy gay man hitting on a straight guy. Very juvenile and droll, but not in a good way.
