The American public most associates the emergence of homosexuality in film with the premiere of Ang Lee's film, Brokeback Mountain. However, the presence of this issue dates back to the beginning of cinema. The way in which the homosexual issues and characters were treated has changed drastically. Early Hollywood, and many other nations' filmmaking industries, portrayed homosexuals as something less than man and relied solely upon stereotypes, much like any other minority. Modern day cinema, and television for that matter, tend to show the humanity of the homosexual actor or group while breaking down the previously held stereotypes. The crossover from film to television signifies a shift in the collective mind of the public. One of NBC's winningest shows, Will and Grace, shows the life of two homosexual men in New York City and their interactions with people who are heterosexual, homosexual, and many places in between. The show breaks down the stereotypes of homosexuals in such a way that American public could identify with the protagonist. The recent films addressing the issue, including a documentary glorifying the efforts of a man who worked for equality for homosexuals, coupled with the recent surge in support for gay marriage and other rights, are changing the face of American politics and Hollywood films and stereotypes.
-David Zabriskie
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