Lebanese TV Shows Address Homosexuality (or: Is All Representation Good Representation?)

Image via gaymiddleeast.com

It’s the age-old question of depictions of minorities in the media — is any representation good representation? The issue is divisive, particularly when it comes to queer representation. In the U.S., television shows like Will and Grace, Queer as Folk and Glee have depicted gay characters, but the depictions themselves are problematic. And transgender representation, which is rare on television to begin with, tends to be downright terrible. Without any representation at all, LGBT folks are invisible and without a voice in the public consciousness. But a negative, or even flawed, representation of LGBT people can be damaging, as it reinforces stereotypical and false cultural beliefs about the queer community. Of course, the ultimate answer is for more positive and realistic portrayals of LGBT people to be produced for television, but given the current state of queer representation on U.S. television, we’re a long way off from fully realizing that goal. So what is better — flawed images, or no images at all?

Now this question is being pondered by Lebanon’s LGBT community. Last week, two Lebanese television stations aired programs about homosexuality — each approaching the issue from a different point of view.

From Bekhsoos:

On New TV, Riad Kobeissy presented the first part of his documentary “Mithly Mithlak”, which featured interviews with Georges Azzi from Helem, a lesbian woman and a gay man, psychologists with contradicting approaches to homosexuality, and religious leaders who presented Christianity’s and Islam’s views on the matter. Part 2 airs on Monday, October 25, 2010 at 9:30 PM.

On Future TV, Zaven Kouyoumdjian made “the gay crime” the hot topic of his talk show “Sireh wou Infata7it”, where he addressed the alleged rise in crimes of passion among homosexuals, turning the studio into a crime scene in the process. (Click here to see the complete show.)

Image via cafepress.com

Homosexuality is criminalized in Lebanon, but the country has a growing and active LGBT rights movement. As a result, LGBT issues are entering the public discourse — but at what cost?

Mithli Mithlak (translated as “Same As You”) made an effort to present an objective journalistic report on homosexuality. Having not seen the documentary, I cannot comment on its success, but it has received a positive reception from members of Lebanon’s LGBT population. It’s likely that the images presented are not ideal, but at least an effort was made. Given the controversial nature of homosexuality in Lebanon, this program sounds especially bold. It challenges social beliefs about gay people by featuring actual gays and lesbians on the show. Considering prejudice often stems from unfamiliarity with a particular community, this tactic could prove to be a big, positive step toward queer acceptance in Lebanon. It will be interesting to see if upcoming documentaries about LGBT people in Lebanon use the same (or a similar) approach.

Meanwhile, Sire Winfata7it did not attempt to conceal any anti-LGBT biases. Said host Zaven Kouyoumjian:

Even though many gays wear ties and society thinks of them as masculine, the image of a “fag” is always that of the “foufou” and the “nounou” [feminine connotation].

And since our show aims at breaking social stereotypes, today we have decided to reveal the other side. So we will be discussing a crime committed by a gay man, and draw the picture of the murderer gay man and the murderer gay woman.

In other words, rather than conforming to stereotypes by depicting gay men as effeminate, this program attempted to break stereotypes by presenting gay and lesbians as murderers. There is absolutely no way this representation will help LGBT acceptance in Lebanon. In fact, it may only strengthen pre-existing prejudices against LGBT people. This program sets up a false dichotomy about gay people, and gay men specifically: they are either effeminate, weak and laughable, or they are hyper-masculine and bloodthirsty killing machines. This depiction offers no room in between, no realistic, human portrayal of real gay people living their lives peacefully. When it comes to Sire Winfata7it, no depiction at all would have been better than the depiction that was presented.

The question of representation cannot be answered in one discussion. It takes time to observe media portrayals to see how they influence society as a whole. So it’s hard to say whether or not these recent television program will advance LGBT equality in Lebanon. But with any luck, these programs will lead to more television shows about homosexuality and trans issues, from a variety of perspectives — and if that happens, Lebanon’s queer community may start to see some positive results.

Global Voices has an excellent round-up of reactions to both television programs.

For more about the current issues facing Lebanon’s LGBT community, be sure to check out Bekhsoos, a queer Arab magazine.

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