Are the current producers ruining Home and Away?

[dee123]

3 hours ago, Matt said:

I'm about to be blasted for this, but do I really care? Not particularly.

I am in the seemingly small minority that doesn't think there should be a gay character on the show. Why? Well, why does there have to be one? Because society deems it so? I don't think it's homophobic, transphobic, whatever-phobic... Just because the writers don't introduce a gay character doesn't mean they hate them... We still live in a sheltered society, and unfortunately our government's stance on issues such as the Safe Schools Coalition and same-sex marriage unfortunately still dictate the societal movements that are show on our screens...

"But Neighbours has main characters who are gay"... And Neighbours is also not on a main channel, Neighbours is vastly less popular in Australia and Neighbours is about the reality of middle class Australian life... If anyone wants to argue that Home and Away is reflecting the current reality of middle class Australia, you'd have to be fooling yourself...

I lead the Safe Schools Coalition movement at my school, I support the rights of everyone, whatever sex, race, sexuality etc. Heck, my best friend is gay, but the reality is, however homophobic this may sound, as soon as you start showing public displays of affection between two members of the same sex on Australian national television, on a platform as large as Home and Away's, you are going to receive negative criticism.

My friend doesn't like the notion of the a gay character on TV because it brings attention onto the fact that he is, in the smallest part of his persona, different from everyone else. Why should he be made to feel uncomfortable? And let's face it, I don't like seeing gay couples kissing on my screen, but I don't like seeing straight couples kissing on my screen either.

I honestly don't think the show needs to have a gay character because I don't think that Home and Away reflects today's society... Call me homophobic if that is what validates yourself and helps you sleep at night, but why should they introduce a gay character just for the sake of introducing a gay character?

Wow. Really disappointing to be honest. OMG you actually trotted out the "My best friend is gay card" Hilarious... For all the wrong reasons.

[cadyctslover]

Fantastic post Therese K.

Matt, I find a lot of your posts unnecessarily provocative but this is a stand out example.

[Matt]

33 minutes ago, cadyctslover said:

Fantastic post Therese K.

Matt, I find a lot of your posts unnecessarily provocative but this is a stand out example.

Thank you - always here to impress

[Dan F]

We seem to be veering towards personal attacks here, and doing so to those who simply offer up a different opinion to your own doesn't really scream tolerance. It's also against our forum rules.

If you don't have anything to contribute to a discussion other than picking out parts of a long post to belittle someone, then please consider whether you need to post it. There's plenty of room for healthy debate without resorting to that.

In any case, as Littlebean has correctly pointed out, there's a whole thread for Diversity that they've kindly linked to.

[samdanfan]

Wow what a debate. As for those issues One There been a series for the past 3 seasons PLEASE LIKE ME that not only aired on Australian TV ABC  but on US TV channel as well with a Gay actor/character.............I wished H&A and others would done some of those stories about depression..........

 

Shows like Upper Middle Bogan have given another look at middle class life Down under which is one reason You cant make a Perfect little image of a culture......................I like seeing issues and the truth in how people really react to life situations...........

 

Yes Both H&A and Neighbours and other shows could benefit from more Minorities in the cast.....................

 

IF they really wanted to deal with real life issues you could have immigrants move into the bay...............Older retirees wanting to live by the beach and based on stories I heard from those in NSW and QLD it would make for good writing.

 

 

[Skylover]

14 hours ago, Matt said:

I don't think it's homophobic, transphobic, whatever-phobic.

Well it's definitely not transphobic, as gay people aren't transgender. They're gay. Homosexuality and being transgender are 2 totally different things.

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We still live in a sheltered society.

I don't know about Australia, but I wouldn't consider the UK to be sheltered on this topic, at least not in the educated parts of society. I haven't had any issues to do with my sexuality since I was in school. Since starting my career I haven't had any homophobia targeted against me, maybe that's down to me personally seeming like the kind of person who wouldn't tolerate it, or maybe because this area generally isn't sheltered. But then I don't generally represent the stereotypical idea of a gay man anyway, at least in some senses. (Sorry to go off topic but I think it's warranted in view of the discussion). In regard to same sex marriage, I don't agree with 'gay marriage', and that's not because I don't think gay people should be entitled to have a meaningful commitment available to them that straight people have, but because 'marriage' is a religious thing. Christianity indicates being gay isn't 'normal' therefore why should gay people impose their beliefs on religion and fundamentally change the meaning of marriage? We have civil partnerships and that is fine by me. These views are all things that could be discussed in a soap like Home and Away, if they brought in a bold gay character who isn't afraid of sharing their opinion. I'm not saying the show has to cover political issues, but don't you think it would be interesting to see something a bit different and more engaging, rather than another gun shoved in our faces?

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As soon as you start showing public displays of affection between two members of the same sex on Australian national television, on a platform as large as Home and Away's, you are going to receive negative criticism.

The negative criticism H&A would receive would be minimal. I think the number of gay viewers the show could attract, by bringing in a gay character, would outweigh those who tuned out because of it. In 2004, I started watching Neighbours again because of Sky Mangel and her storyline with a lesbian character, Lana. Hence my username. I was casually watching that year because there was nothing else to do at that time, but that story hooked me back on the show, and I'm still watching it 12 years later, when frankly the quality of the show has dwindled, but I now have a deep connection to that show. H&A has so much potential.

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My friend doesn't like the notion of a gay character on TV because it brings attention to the fact that he is, in the smallest part of his persona, different from everyone else. Why should he be made to feel uncomfortable?

Bringing in someone gay doesn't draw attention to the fact that it's ‘abnormal’, it's not 'abnormal'. Only in the sense that there are statistically less people who fall into that category. You mention Neighbours. And yes, they've done a fantastic job at portraying homosexuality as normal. Their character Aaron is a wonderful example. He's probably considered a 'heartthrob', not only among the gay audience, but also among the female audience. There is nothing to stop the casual viewer from presuming he is straight. He leads a normal life, and I think it's great that he is a young, attractive, successful, kind, loving character, who is doing a lot better in life than many straight male characters in shows. He certainly is a more rounded human being than one of the Braxtons. This is a character people can look up to. I doubt your friend would tune into Neighbours, see Aaron, and feel uncomfortable as a result.

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Call me homophobic if that is what validates yourself

.I don’t believe you’re homophobic. It’s good to have a debate and I respect your opinion. J However, homophobia doesn’t affect me anyway, as I’m a confident person and know my worth. I know that I give just as much to society as a straight person, if not more. But it did take me 21 years to achieve that sense of worth.

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but why should they introduce a gay character just for the sake of introducing a gay character?

A character should never be brought in for the sake of it. They should only be brought in because they add something to the show. And there are so many avenues that have yet to be explored with gay characters on soaps. I have yet to see a truly believable heart-wrenching, gripping gay love story on a soap. The closest one is probably Christian and Syed from EastEnders. I spent about a year waiting for me and my first boyfriend to actually be together because he felt so scared and judged about being gay. But we loved each other. It’s the worst feeling watching someone you love to bits cry in your arms because they feel so scared to be themselves. People like Tom Daley and Aaron from Emmerdale, positive role models, gave him the strength to come to terms with himself.

[dee123]

8 hours ago, Dan F said:

We seem to be veering towards personal attacks here, and doing so to those who simply offer up a different opinion to your own doesn't really scream tolerance. It's also against our forum rules.

If you don't have anything to contribute to a discussion other than picking out parts of a long post to belittle someone, then please consider whether you need to post it. There's plenty of room for healthy debate without resorting to that.

In any case, as Littlebean has correctly pointed out, there's a whole thread for Diversity that they've kindly linked to.

Sorry but some of the things Matt said went far beyond "Simply offer up a different opinion" I mean never mind him liking all the comments against him, which is so passive aggressive it's not funny, But what's the point? You'll protect your contributor and screw everyone else.

[Dan F]

Yeah, sorry, I'm not rising to that.

I'll just reiterate this rule again, ask people to keep on topic, and thank those who responded with sensible debate. 

2) Abuse of any kind towards fellow members will not be tolerated. No personal attacks, racism, threatening, or victimisation towards another user is allowed, either on the board or by PM. Attacking another member for holding a different opinion to you is unacceptable. Please help to maintain the friendly atmosphere that we uphold on the board - this includes ensuring that you do not deliberately bait other members into confrontation.

[Luke39]

Diddnt THEY kinda do a same sex relationship with Charlie and Joey? Or doesn't that count? In any case. Yes I'm a straight male haha. So I just watch for the babes and lifestyle heh. So I guess diversity or lack of doesn't effect my viewing experience.

[Skylover]

17 hours ago, Luke39 said:

Especially after HOW controversial Charlie and Joey was. In any case I agree with you.

It lasted for about a month didn't it? In 2009? So it wasn't long term, then the Charlie character dated men again and never mentioned it ever again.

Not gonna lie, I appreciate the guys too, the attractive cast is a strength of the show. Plus the scenery. The production values are good too.