Queer Eye Queries

In Netflix original, Queer Eye, five gay men, Jonathan van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, and Bobby Berk, visit men in the state of Georgia and give them a complete makeover. Along with changing lives for the better, Queer Eye addresses some heavy contemporary issues such as sexual orientation and race. As my mother and I ate lunch this past weekend, a few interesting questions came up. Does this show perpetuate stereotypes? Is a reality makeover show the wrong place for those issues to be discussed? Though she is not homophobic or racist, my mom said yes to both of these questions. I disagree, though admittedly, with a few qualifiers.

Many people who do fit stereotypes appear in the show. However, the directors and producers make sure the stereotypes are broken down by including individuals who don’t fit them. Jonathan van Ness is an example of the clichéd effeminate and flamboyant gay man. But the other four gay men fall outside this stereotype to varying degrees. Antoni Porowski, in fact, says “sexuality has always been a secondary part of [him];” he doesn’t feel it suits him to be so gaudy. One of the nominees is a typical southern conservative police officer. He and his colleague use humor and hospitality in accepting the “fab-five’s” help. They eventually learn from and like each other. Throughout the first season, a similar connection builds between the five hosts and nominees: a nerd, a firefighter, and a Christian.

The hosts and nominees, along with breaking down stereotypes, talk about the societal issues they stem from. However, this reality show setting may not be the best for discussing serious issues. In episode three, Karamo Brown and the nominee drive around Atlanta and talk about the relationship between the police and young African-American men. All of the episodes confront biases about sexual orientation. Over lunch, my mom said that this show trivializes these issues. I, however, think this setting can relieve tension between opposing viewpoints. The fun atmosphere of the show can reduce the anxiety around such heavy topics like race and sexuality. There may be times where a more serious discussion is needed, but this indirect approach might elicit less antagonistic discourse.

It is easy to draw hasty conclusions about Queer Eye, but upon closer examination, this Netflix original cleverly addresses heavy topics in a light-hearted setting.

Works Cited

“You Can’t Fix Ugly.” “Saving Sasquatch.” “Dega Don’t.” “To Gay or Not Too Gay.” Queer Eye, season 1, episode 1, 2, 3, 4, 2016. Netflix.