Best gay character?

Discussion in 'Music, TV, Movies & other Media' started by fifthofnovember, Jul 3, 2017.

  1. fifthofnovember

    fifthofnovember Well-Known Member

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    Who do you think is the best gay character from TV or movies? Why?

    My opinion is that the best gay character ever on screen is Gus Fring, from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

    My reasoning is this: first, he absolutely busts the stereotype. Gus Fring is a hyper-intelligent super badass. He is not effeminate and really stands as the opposite of a gay caricature like Titus Andromadon from Kimmy Schmidt.

    Additionally, Gus doesn't "get gay" in your face, and as such doesn't come off as "hey kids, look at the homosexual behavior". He is a great character who happens to be homosexual, and not a homosexual character first and foremost, as so many contemporary gay characters seem to be. He also doesn't feel like a quota. Some shows (Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead come to mind) are obviously making it a point to have gay characters as a quota (one dies, another one magically emerges from a limited number of Apocalypse survivors to take his or her place). Fring, as a character, doesn't feel forced.

    Now, I'm sure some people will think that Fring is therefore a closeted character. I disagree with that. Fring is very private about virtually everything, and sure, you might have a hard time even recognizing him as gay because he doesn't make his sexuality an issue. But one of the character's biggest motivations (perhaps THE biggest) is revenge on Hector Salamanca for killing Fring's gay lover many years ago (the other "Chicken Brother"). This, IMO, portrays the gay relationship of the Pollos Hermanos in a powerful and positive light. Because it is clear that Gus really loved that man. You don't hold a decades-long murder grudge against someone over a mere piece of ass. And, IMO, if you want a true three dimensional character, the intensity of their love is about a million times more important than the way they like to have sex.

    So, what do you think? Is there another character you think is better?
     
  2. Just_a_Citizen

    Just_a_Citizen Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    ^^^ Best Gay character ever.
     
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  3. fifthofnovember

    fifthofnovember Well-Known Member

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    Now that made me laugh.
     
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  4. Sallyally

    Sallyally Well-Known Member Donor

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    What about Frodo and Sam, from the Lord of the Rings?
     
  5. fifthofnovember

    fifthofnovember Well-Known Member

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    Doesn't count, they were hobbitsexual.
     
  6. Just_a_Citizen

    Just_a_Citizen Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Bert & Ernie.... Fighting the good fight against homophobia for decades.
     
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  7. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Ennis del Mar?
     
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  8. fifthofnovember

    fifthofnovember Well-Known Member

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    Not familiar with that character. What show or movie does he come from, and what makes him great?
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2017
  9. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Brokeback Mountain. Lead male, played by the late and seriously talented Heath Ledger.

    The character was superbly crafted and acted. An absolute masterpiece performance. Searingly repressed and pained, yet somehow retaining the innocent joy of childhood.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2017
  10. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    Uncle Arthur on Bewitched. Groundbreaking role in the 1960's.

    upload_2017-7-3_22-16-54.jpeg
     
  11. fifthofnovember

    fifthofnovember Well-Known Member

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    I forgot about that guy. I didn't realize he was supposed to be gay. I thought he was just annoying.
     
  12. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The Revenge of the Nerds guy with the floppy javelin.



     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2017
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  13. Sallyally

    Sallyally Well-Known Member Donor

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    Loras Tyrell was a good gay character. (GoT)
     
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  14. btthegreat

    btthegreat Well-Known Member

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    There isn't one. 'Gay' characters are usually drawn as caricatures Now there are some fine characters in both comedies and dramas that are gay, but the more that aspect of their persona is stressed as predominant , the less multidimensional they are allowed to be. The biggest change in how we are depicted in the last 15 years, is that we are allowed to be far more than just a 'gay character'
     
  15. bigfella

    bigfella Well-Known Member

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    For me it is Edward II in the 1991 film of the same name by Derek Jarman.

    The film is based on an Elizabethan play by Christopher Marlowe. Edward II was and is widely believed to be gay and has often been painted in a negative light (he was probably not a great king, and certainly not compared to his father). When he was portrayed in 'Braveheart' it was as a mincing & effeminate caricature bearing no resemblance to historical descriptions - perhaps not surprising given the prejudices of the film makers & their tendency to resort to crude cliche (remember the 'British as Nazis' in The Patriot?).

    Jarman made Edward strong, sympathetic and human. At a time when even sympathetic gay characters still tended toward cliche' (Leon in 'Roseanne) Edward was portrayed as a 'normal' person trapped by his own love and the betrayal of others. Steven Waddington played the character brilliantly. Great film, worth a watch.
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2017
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  16. fifthofnovember

    fifthofnovember Well-Known Member

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    This is one of the most self-contradictory posts I've ever seen.

    clearly contradicts
    and

    clearly contradicts
    I'm sure you thought you were making a point, but it doesn't come across. If gays are now allowed to be far more than just gay characters, then that means they are multidimensional, yes? It seems that you want to stress one "aspect of their persona", then complain that other aspects aren't being stressed. Why does a gay character's sexuality need to be the focal point of his/her existence in order to qualify as a gay character, in your view?
     
  17. Beefheart

    Beefheart Member

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    John Wayne, he was sooo flamboyant.
     
  18. btthegreat

    btthegreat Well-Known Member

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    Its the way this is worded. I did something you did not notice but was significant to me.

    1. a 'gay' character
    2. a character who is gay.

    That was an effort to suggest a broadening of the other aspects

    There really is nothing in your content that I disagree with. I was sort of trying to make the same point you just tried to make . hope that helps
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2017
  19. Skruddgemire

    Skruddgemire Well-Known Member

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    Captain Jack Harkness - Dr. Who and Torchwood.

    Granted he's more pansexual, but he's my favorite. Especially the banter between him and Christopher Eccleston's Doctor.

    Jack: Aw, sweet. Look at these two. How come I never get any of that?
    The Doctor: Buy me a drink first.
    Jack: Such hard work.
    The Doctor: But worth it!
     
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  20. crank

    crank Well-Known Member

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    Capt Jack is kind of a pain, though. Cocky.
     
  21. Sallyally

    Sallyally Well-Known Member Donor

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    Just thought of Xena.
     
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  22. btthegreat

    btthegreat Well-Known Member

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    I think a good rule is to narrow this to characters who say that they are gay or bisexual or characters who we see engaging in behavior that is unambiguous and who appears to be really enjoying gay sexual behavior. as opposed to going off 'gaydar' or guesswork or stereotype.
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2017
  23. Skruddgemire

    Skruddgemire Well-Known Member

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    And the Doctor isn't?
     
  24. Sallyally

    Sallyally Well-Known Member Donor

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    Ok.
     
  25. fifthofnovember

    fifthofnovember Well-Known Member

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    Ah, I guess that did fly over my head. I do see the distinction you are making now. Maybe the title should have been "Best character who is gay", but that wording just doesn't sound as smooth IMO.
     

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