When I’m considering whether to flip on a TV show, I’d like to think that I look for the basics: good plot, good characters, good writing, good old-fashioned lesbian love sequence…
Once they’ve run out of common drama (for example, long-lost children returning home as the illegitimate love slaves of their mother’s bikini-waxer), TV networks sometimes add a peculiar dimension to their usually scheduled programming — namely, two hot-n-heavy chicks getting it on. Sounds a bit vulgar
and offensive, but maybe the whole concept of networks exploiting female sexuality for ratings is itself a bit vulgar and offensive. Oh wait, they’ve already done that 10 times over with “a few words (and many, many more slithering half-naked bodies moaning about air-freshener plug-ins) from our sponsors.”
But my bitterness as a morally unstable feminist can only last so long. I applaud the fact that human sexuality is culturally recognized, even if it is to show the orgasmic potential of Raisin Bran Crunch. Still, the sexual power of the male body is rarely recognized, while the sexual power of the female body is exploited beyond recognition. And the pattern of TV networks using lesbianism to pull in viewers is one of the best examples.
A few weeks ago, FOX’s “The OC” introduced a relationship between haughty-depressed-rich-girl Marissa and wrong-side-of-the-tracks-punk-girl Alex. Although both had been previously involved in heterosexual relationships, love began to blossom between the two right around February sweeps.
To FOX’s credit, the show handles lesbianism as an issue or way of life in a pretty fantastic manner. Marissa’s best friend is supportive of the relationship with Alex; Marissa struggles with being openly homosexual, but is comforted by Alex, and the camera is blunt about their physical attraction for each other, but not tasteless. With the media influencing so many people’s
opinions on the world around them, perhaps any positive representation of a minority group should be lauded and left at that.
However, television’s brand of lesbianism usually lacks realistic images of sexuality. Most TV shows that introduce a woman-to-woman romance portray that relationship as a quick gay blip in lives that are truly heterosexual. Shows such as “Friends,” “Ally McBeal,” “ER” and others have gladly given airtime to women kissing each other; however, a sustainable lesbian relationship is rarely seen, especially among main characters or in shows intended for younger viewers.
In that sense, “The OC” is perhaps becoming revolutionary by breaking the trend other network shows have set up. The romance between “The OC” women is a developing relationship rather than a flashy disappearing act, and both women are attractive, popular main characters. I guess happy lesbians aren’t allowed to be unfeminine. Then again, according to the media, no unfeminine woman is truly granted happiness.
Yes, a public representation of lesbianism probably is and should be liberating to women whose sexuality is largely ignored by the world surrounding them. But how can media portrayals of lesbianism ever be liberating if the ultimate purpose of this female sexuality is to turn on male viewers?
The goal of this generation’s media is to make money, not a statement. And until that paradigm changes, positive yet realistic imagery of
any kind will probably be hard to find for any gender or sexuality. In
the meantime, we may as well
admire the progress of seeing a positive representation of lesbianism
and continue to strive for something even better.

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