By now you have probably heard about Queer as Folk , the new Showtime series based on the wildly popular and controversial 1999 British miniseries of the same title. As you may have seen, Showtime lived up to its half of the bargain by matching the British version explicit sex scene for explicit sex scene. But so far the press seems more interested in debating the relative readiness of the American public to stomach Queer as Folk . And that is the fact that disappoints me most.
Television is one of the gay and lesbian frontiers of the moment.
In a growing number of programs, gay characters are stepping out from the supporting roles to carry shows on their own. Look at the much touted, Emmy-winning success of Will and Grace . And now there is Normal, Ohio , the new show starring John Goodman as a 40-something gay man who moves back to his hometown in Middle America. Contrary to the hype, it's not the sex but the gay point of view that makes Queer as Folk so radical. As James points out, previous shows about gay characters have provided a reassuring guide for the straight audience.