Steven Capsuto - Alternate Channels - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Images on Television

60 Years of 'Queers' on TV. How we got here.

The Lecture:

60 YEARS OF "QUEERS" ON TV -
HOW WE GOT HERE

This 100-minute talk is built around video excerpts from prime-time American TV shows. It traces the evolution of LGBT images from the 1950s to the present.

Drawing on the eleven years of research that went into his book Alternate Channels, Steven Capsuto outlines the history of on-air trends and the backstage politics that shaped them. Learn how LGBT depictions went from invisibility to abuse to something approaching fairness in a relatively short period of time. Explanations are given from the perspectives of TV executives, script writers, sponsors, queer activists and anti-gay crusaders. The behind-the-scenes stories are often humorous, such as the imaginative 1974 takeover of NBC executive offices by members of Lesbian Feminist Liberation.

Witness early comic-relief sissy roles, 1970s/1980s "killer dyke" stereotypes, earnest coming-out stories, breakthrough characters on Soap and Dynasty, the appearance of bisexual and transgender regular characters, and the rapid growth and diversification of LGBT roles in the 1990s and 2000s: Ellen, Will & Grace, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Queer as Folk, The L Word, Brothers & Sisters, Gossip Girl, True Blood, reality shows, and LGBT channels such as Logo and Here!

See the good and the bad, the outrageous and the shocking, laugh-out-loud comedy and touching drama.

The clips vary from one presentation to the next. The length or focus of the lecture can be ajusted to your needs. The talk can also be given in Spanish with subtitled clips.

Past appearances:

Museum of Television & Radio (NYC), Miami International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Barcelona International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Princeton University, Boston University, San Francisco State University, Bournemouth University (UK), Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival, COGAM LGBT Community Center (Madrid, Spain), San Francisco Public Library, Johns Hopkins University, University of North Carolina, University of Pennsylvania, LGBT Community Center (NYC), Dignity-USA National Convention, SUNY-Potsdam, New York University, Suffolk University, Illinois State University, University of Delaware, Rutgers University, Free Library of Philadelphia, University of Florida, Temple University, St. Joseph's University, Coe College, Gustavus Adolphus College, Southeast Missouri State University, Minnesota State University, Console-ing Passions Television Studies Conference (Bristol, UK), various high schools, and many other venues.

The images of TV shows are the property of their respective production or distribution companies, and are used here for illustrative purposes in a context of education and commentary.