Gay group questions 'American Idol' judges

[estranged4life]

GLAAD takes issue with comments about contestants' masculinity

NEW YORK - Is "American Idol" homophobic?

The Fox talent show elicited a response from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) after judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson made what the gay rights group deemed questionable comments on last week's premiere episode.

On Tuesday's show, seen by a Nielsen-chart topping 35.5 million viewers, Cowell told one male contestant to "wear a dress" and Jackson asked another, "are you a girl?"

"The real offense here was in the producer's decision to add insult to injury by turning a contestant's gender expression into the butt of a joke," said Damon Ramine, a spokesman for GLAAD, in a statement posted on the group's Web site.

Ramine updated the situation Monday with another statement: "We've spoken with Fox and have entered into what we hope will be a productive, ongoing conversation about the show's representation and discussion of sexual orientation and gender expression."

A spokesman for "American Idol" said Monday that Fox had no comment.

The popular Fox show, now in its fifth season, airs Tuesdays, 8 p.m. ET.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Jyqm]

GLAAD takes issue with comments about contestants' masculinity

NEW YORK - Is "American Idol" homophobic?

The Fox talent show elicited a response from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) after judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson made what the gay rights group deemed questionable comments on last week's premiere episode.

On Tuesday's show, seen by a Nielsen-chart topping 35.5 million viewers, Cowell told one male contestant to "wear a dress" and Jackson asked another, "are you a girl?"

"The real offense here was in the producer's decision to add insult to injury by turning a contestant's gender expression into the butt of a joke," said Damon Ramine, a spokesman for GLAAD, in a statement posted on the group's Web site.

Ramine updated the situation Monday with another statement: "We've spoken with Fox and have entered into what we hope will be a productive, ongoing conversation about the show's representation and discussion of sexual orientation and gender expression."

A spokesman for "American Idol" said Monday that Fox had no comment.

The popular Fox show, now in its fifth season, airs Tuesdays, 8 p.m. ET.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Anybody who uses the phrase "gender expression" deserves to be the butt of any and all jokes.

[SuzeQuze]

I'm not sure how the producer turned the "gender expression" into the butt of a joke. The boy, and he's just a boy, has a feminine haircut and features and since he is so young it really isn't immediately apparent that he is a boy. The high heels do not make it any more clear. He said people mistake him for a girl. Randy said, "You're not a girl?" Maybe the kid saying "People mistake me for a girl." was setup by the producer.

If the boy had been a phenomenal singer he would have been praised for that. He was horrible. I really felt bad for him since he really thinks he's good. His mother was there, having put on too much self tanner and white lipstick, a pretty lady but put together all wrong. She said "He puts it out there, he's flamboyant." That is fine I just think she is not really helping him. She could help him more, perhaps by, giving him singing lessons rather than lavishing false praise on his talent.

He has a nice tone to his voice (just too nasal) but was off key and switched keys in the middle of the song even. It really was bad. Anyway, I don't think they were really being homophobic, he was just a bad singer. However, I did sort of cringe at Simon because he said something about the boy having to figure some things out. It seemed to me the boy had and he likes to be feminine! :shrug: So that may be where GLAAD felt they needed to step in.

[jannieC]

I'm not sure how the producer turned the "gender expression" into the butt of a joke. The boy, and he's just a boy, has a feminine haircut and features and since he is so young it really isn't immediately apparent that he is a boy. The high heels do not make it any more clear. He said people mistake him for a girl. Randy said, "You're not a girl?" Maybe the kid saying "People mistake me for a girl." was setup by the producer.

If the boy had been a phenomenal singer he would have been praised for that. He was horrible. I really felt bad for him since he really thinks he's good. His mother was there, having put on too much self tanner and white lipstick, a pretty lady but put together all wrong. She said "He puts it out there, he's flamboyant." That is fine I just think she is not really helping him. She could help him more, perhaps by, giving him singing lessons rather than lavishing false praise on his talent.

He has a nice tone to his voice (just too nasal) but was off key and switched keys in the middle of the song even. It really was bad. Anyway, I don't think they were really being homophobic, he was just a bad singer. However, I did sort of cringe at Simon because he said something about the boy having to figure some things out. It seemed to me the boy had and he likes to be feminine! :shrug: So that may be where GLAAD felt they needed to step in.
Very well put (especially the part about the mother with the self-tanning and white lipstick- thank you). What I didn't understand about this boy is that he seemed so surprised that anyone would think he was a girl. Everything about him screams girl from his clothing to his haircut to his plucked eyebrows. And he really was a bad singer, despite the fact that his people encourage him otherwise. But isn't that the whole jist of American Idol- people who can't sing surrounded by family and friends who tell them they can? :shrug:

[ontheEdgeof17]

Does Clay Aiken ring a bell? Jim V. from Season 1? ...and Carrie Underwood just screams lesbian. :p

[SteveMacD]

Does Clay Aiken ring a bell? Jim V. from Season 1? ...and Carrie Underwood just screams lesbian. :p
If she has a go with Kelly Clarkson, I wanna watch!

[hayley]

If she has a go with Kelly Clarkson, I wanna watch!
Me too!

I hadn't seen the show and thought people were exaggerating when talking about him looking like a girl. Then I saw a clip of it, and oh my!

[Rickypt]

Anybody who uses the phrase "gender expression" deserves to be the butt of any and all jokes.

Why? :shrug:

From what I can tell, the judges ventured closely into inappropriate "humor". GLAAD can be over the top at times, but I think having some conversations with the producers is a good idea.

After all, the less that it is considered acceptable to make gays and femmy guys the butt of jokes, the better the chance people like Aiken won't feel the need to be in the closet.

[SuzeQuze]

Why? :shrug:

From what I can tell, the judges ventured closely into inappropriate "humor". GLAAD can be over the top at times, but I think having some conversations with the producers is a good idea.

After all, the less that it is considered acceptable to make gays and femmy guys the butt of jokes, the better the chance people like Aiken won't feel the need to be in the closet.

What about Justin Guarini? I agree with you, Ryan.

[ontheEdgeof17]

What about Justin Guarini?


SNAP.

I just choked on my cracker with that one.



Those who make fun are insecure themselves. I have no problem being the butt of gay jokes. It used to bother me when I wasn't comfortable with myself. Now, it's all good. It's about them, not me.

[SuzeQuze]

SNAP.

I just choked on my cracker with that one.



Those who make fun are insecure themselves. I have no problem being the butt of gay jokes. It used to bother me when I wasn't comfortable with myself. Now, it's all good. It's about them, not me.

Ain't it the truth (3 snaps in a z formation)! Glad I could be of assistance with your laughter quota today. :thumbsup: :lol:

[Rickypt]

SNAP.
I have no problem being the butt of gay jokes.

Nor do I, but not everyone is as self-assured as we are. When the playing field is equal for gays, then I'll learn to lighten up a bit.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Nor do I, but not everyone is as self-assured as we are. When the playing field is equal for gays, then I'll learn to lighten up a bit.

Well, it's not going to be when GLAAD and other groups whine around. They blow everything out of proportion. "American Idol is homophobic". Bull****. They make fun of everybody, not just the gays.

[Rickypt]

GLAAD didn't call American Idol "homophobic". They have a statement on their website outlining their specific comments about the show and that false quotes have been attributed to them. www.glaad.org

[skcin]

You guys are saying "butt" a lot.:p

And that kid DID look like a girl. It really seemed like he was trying to look like a girl, so I probably would've asked the same thing. :shrug: He wore a white boat-neck blouse anf has his hair cut into a BOB, for Chrissake!

[Rickypt]

^ I didn't see it, but wondering if this report below is accurate.

http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article1820.art&page=1

"Zachary entered the audition room, took Simon’s snort, and had sufficiently informed the judges that he is male and is often confused for a girl (meaning that he is male). Randy immediately asked, “Are you a girl?” Well, no Randy, he just said he wasn’t. This got a good guffaw out of Simon, and Randy joined in with one of his own."

[SuzeQuze]

You guys are saying "butt" a lot.:p

And that kid DID look like a girl. It really seemed like he was trying to look like a girl, so I probably would've asked the same thing. :shrug: He wore a white boat-neck blouse anf has his hair cut into a BOB, for Chrissake!

Do not forget the high-heeled boots and the jeans that did not look very boy cut!

[Rickypt]

I finally found a pic of Zachary and he indeed looks like a girl. Maybe I've lived in SF too long, but my reaction is "so what" and is that something to make fun of.

Do the judges make fun of contestants based on their race, religion, etc? If so, then I guess it's open season at AI and one more reason I'm glad I don't watch it.

If not, then I question why it's okay to poke fun at someone because they don't fit the traditional mold of gender roles. Because oftentimes underneath that joking lies subtle homophobia and why perpetuate that on a popular national television show. That's what GLAAD appears to be addressing. I agree that they blow things out of proportion at times, but I think they are doing the right thing in this case.

[SuzeQuze]

I finally found a pic of Zachary and he indeed looks like a girl. Maybe I've lived in SF too long, but my reaction is "so what" and is that something to make fun of.

Do the judges make fun of contestants based on their race, religion, etc? If so, then I guess it's open season at AI and one more reason I'm glad I don't watch it.

If not, then I question why it's okay to poke fun at someone because they don't fit the traditional mold of gender roles. Because oftentimes underneath that joking lies subtle homophobia and why perpetuate that on a popular national television show. That's what GLAAD appears to be addressing. I agree that they blow things out of proportion at times, but I think they are doing the right thing in this case.

They do make fun of people that do not fit the idol "image". For instance, Simon has made fat comments and other statements about peoples' appearance. I don't like it but I think it is part of the show. The criticism is a big part of why people tune in. The comments about this boy did make me uncomfortable, they could have been more appropriate with their criticism. More constructive for sure!

I think it is good that GLAAD opened up a dialog with the show but I don't think they were being homophobic. They were just pointing out where the contestant did not fit the idol mould. I hate that! But it is part of the show.

[Rickypt]

They do make fun of people that do not fit the idol "image". For instance, Simon has made fat comments and other statements about peoples' appearance. I don't like it but I think it is part of the show. The criticism is a big part of why people tune in.

Thanks. Definitely not my kind of entertainment.

[DavidMn]

If she has a go with Kelly Clarkson, I wanna watch!Think that internet video would outsell Paris'?:lol:

[Wild_Heart03]

Well, it's not going to be when GLAAD and other groups whine around. They blow everything out of proportion. "American Idol is homophobic". Bull****. They make fun of everybody, not just the gays.


Amen to that, Curtis. To be honest, when I saw this article I just thought "what are they overreacting to this time?".

[Rickypt]

In this case, I don't think GLAAD overreacted at all. Especially if you go to their site and read specifically what they have said.

Often they do overreact, but sometimes you have to overreact to make a point and effect change.

We are still in an era where it is considered okay to make tacky jokes about gays and transgenders and it's not considered okay to make fun based on race, etc.

In the AI case, Zachary had already stated he is a guy, so what is necessary or funny about a follow-up question asking if he's a girl? Why not just ask if he's a fag?

[ontheEdgeof17]

Isn't it stereotypical to think that this kid is homosexual? To my knowledge, he never said that he was (correct me if I am wrong). Maybe he just likes to wear his mom's clothes. :shrug:

[jannieC]

As much as I love this show, I have noticed this season that some of the comments have made me uncomfortable. Gay, overweight, whatever comments. It may be because I am genuinely a nice person (seriously, I hate to see someone's feelings hurt) who is a bit overly sensitive to stuff like that. Or, the judges could be a bit meaner this round, not sure. I have never been one to think it's funny to make fun of other people, though. Someone said earlier in this thread that the catiness is most of the appeal of the show, and I disagree. I like the truthful criticism (as the show progressess and they're actually performing) but I don't like the unnecessary criticism (which have nothing to do with the performances). :shrug:

[Sorceress]

Or, the judges could be a bit meaner this round

I definitely think they are being meaner. On a separate note, I think they are also being a lot funnier and more real. Simon making fun of Randy and Paula's video? I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

I wasn't entirely comfortable with the way they treated Zachary.
I have a problem with the way the show exploits people who obviously have some sort issues. MOST of the people they are showing at this point of the audition process are delusional at the very least! I feel the worst for people who have some degree of mental retardation.

Zachary's issue seemed to be feeling surprised and hurt when people don't know how to react to him. Too bad Simon and Randy didn't handle themselves better.

[jannieC]

I definitely think they are being meaner. On a separate note, I think they are also being a lot funnier and more real. Simon making fun of Randy and Paula's video? I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.


Wasn't that hilarious? I loved the way Randy was cracking up- all of them really- it was so real.

[DavidMn]

Nor do I, but not everyone is as self-assured as we are. When the playing field is equal for gays, then I'll learn to lighten up a bit.The way I look at that is I just dont give a damn what people think. It's not insecurity, it's just that this is what I am, dont like it? MOVE ALONG, I dont care.:nod:

[JazmenFlowers]

As much as I love this show, I have noticed this season that some of the comments have made me uncomfortable. Gay, overweight, whatever comments. It may be because I am genuinely a nice person (seriously, I hate to see someone's feelings hurt) who is a bit overly sensitive to stuff like that. Or, the judges could be a bit meaner this round, not sure. I have never been one to think it's funny to make fun of other people, though. Someone said earlier in this thread that the catiness is most of the appeal of the show, and I disagree. I like the truthful criticism (as the show progressess and they're actually performing) but I don't like the unnecessary criticism (which have nothing to do with the performances). :shrug:
yeppers :nod:

with respect to GLAAD - that's their job, it's what they do - they are like PETA...a good organization, but can sometimes look for something to bithc about

[diamondsnake]

Can someone post a picture of this person? I want to see what all the fuss is about!

[Rickypt]

Isn't it stereotypical to think that this kid is homosexual? To my knowledge, he never said that he was (correct me if I am wrong). Maybe he just likes to wear his mom's clothes. :shrug:

Sorry, I missed this.

I wasn't saying I think he's homosexual. And GLAAD wasn't addressing the issue as homophobia; they addressed it from the "gender expression" angle. The media got it wrong by claiming GLAAD was calling AI homophobic.

What I was trying to say is that I think that underneath most jokes about people who don't fit traditional gender roles is simmering homophobia. Bullies make fun of sissy boys because they think they are fags. Which is why I said "why not just ask if he's a fag" because I wonder if that's really what the judges were getting at with their questions.

But I've had lots of conversations with people about this the past few days and the consensus definitely seems to be that AI judges are just mean and the schtick right now is insulting lots of people and there isn't a need to look too much into it.

[Rickypt]

Can someone post a picture of this person? I want to see what all the fuss is about!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/RickyPT/zachary_travis_160x120.jpg

[sparky]

If GLAAD or anyone is going to make a comment about this show, it ought to be that it is an embarrassment and should be taken off the air just to take culture in general up half a notch.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/RickyPT/zachary_travis_160x120.jpg

THAT HAIR! :shocked:

[sparky]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/RickyPT/zachary_travis_160x120.jpg

From this picture, I would think this is an individual who WANTS to be percieved as female. I thought it was Dorothy Hamill.