Over the A&E Rainbow

[CJontherocks]

So I couldn't help noticing the A&E television channel sporting a rainbow on their logo lately. (I've been watching entirely too much TV since I retired.)

I'm curious... is this an ad gimmick for their new gay-friendly movie, or is there something more permanent going on? Or has A&E always been a great supporter of LGBT people and their lifestyles?

 

[squarespray]

I think they noticed nobody-else was using rainbowFX in their logo.

But I've been stooge-slapped by the 'rainbow-symbolizes-spectrum'-cliche so many times, I can only respond: " Soyt'nly ", about the gay-move.

 

[CJontherocks]

Well, I did a little bit of digging on the web and couldn't find anything about A&E embracing the GLBT community (if there really is such a thing outside the Castro). It's kinda cool that what one normally views as a "mainstream-family" oriented network would throw this out there. Apparently, though, there's been talk about it for some time. It's not sweeps week, is it? I guess I'm hoping this isn't just a ratings-grab thing.

Lots of debate on the political and social issues. Lots of comments on the quality of the movie. Lots of comments about John Stamos (I have to admit, I'd do him). I haven't watched it yet... I'm waiting for a romantic comedy mood... but it's waiting for me on the DVR.

My initial thought is that this is a good thing. It appears to me that often, when important LGBT issues are brought up, the discussion is heavy and kind of a downer. Maybe a light-hearted movie like this will allow people to discuss the issue without feeling like they have to resort to bible-thumping and name-calling. Maybe it will let people know that they don't have to be so hateful about gay people being married to each other. Maybe people will see that regardless of their politics, they can believe in and support other people's social needs... even if they don't want to marry someone of the same sex themselves.

Maybe I'll catch a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer this year.

 

[Etoile]

Unfortunately it's a gimmick. A well intentioned one, but it's just to do with their "what if gays went on strike" show. A&E is not any more or less supportive than any other basic cable channel. They occasionally have gay-themed content but it's not a major attraction for them. So far Logo (usually digital cable) and here! (usually premium pay cable) are the only two truly gay channels in the U.S. I haven't heard much about Canada's PrideVision channel lately, but they might still be out there too.

 

[Night_Jasmine]

It's possible it's a gimmick. Most stations and companies have to walk a thin wire these days. I think everyone remembers the turmoil that came when Disney announced a specific day/weekend to honor gay/lesbian relationships. Gods, the christians were all over that. The radio station in Houston, which my parents listened to ALL the time, were spreading announcements from various parts of the country to boycott Disney until "they stopped honoring such a sinful thing."

The arguments in my house at the time were awful. I tried to convince my mother that living an 'alternate' lifestyle wasn't wrong, just so long as they loved each other. I heard so much on biblical standpoints and other close minded stuff...and all this when I thought I was straight!! No wonder I'm pagan!! lol.

 

[Etoile]

I think Gay Days at Disney were originally grassroots rather than Disney-sanctioned, but they might be official now.

The word "gimmick" is a funny one. To me it implies that something is done in a sneaky way - it's hard for me to describe. It feels like it has a negative connotation. The words "ratings ploy" also indicate "we're doing this for money" but to me it sounds a little more honest..."we're doing this for money, and we admit that's why we're doing it."

I think the rainbow A&E logo has a specific purpose. It's not targeting a broad spectrum of gay people. It's set to a disco beat and it pulsates and throbs. To me, that says "gay club atmosphere" - although the colors aren't quite right...since the first time I saw it, I thought the "red" was a little too pink.

Am I overanalyzing? Probably. The rainbow logo is to let us know that they're doing a gay-themed show. And yet it's significant that it's their logo - their very identity - that has been recolored. They could have put the usual logo on a rainbow background, in a rainbow box, etc. But it's the logo itself that has a rainbow.

I'd love to talk to the PR firm that came up with it and ask them about their reasons for various elements of the logo.

 

[naughtyinsilk]

I just think you are lucky to get any GLBT tv programming at all.

Here we are still stuck in the era of the pantomime, so its a choice between "Are You Being Served" reruns or Will & Grace repeats. And even that they cancelled showing the last two series over here. Not sure if thats necessarily a negative though

 

[Etoile]

I just think you are lucky to get any GLBT tv programming at all.

Here we are still stuck in the era of the pantomime, so its a choice between "Are You Being Served" reruns or Will & Grace repeats. And even that they cancelled showing the last two series over here. Not sure if thats necessarily a negative though

I have an autographed picture from Mr. Humphries, and he tucked in a note too!

 

[naughtyinsilk]

I have an autographed picture from Mr. Humphries, and he tucked in a note too!

I have met John Inman too, he's a nice guy but that show was in the 70s, and sadly in the main british tv hasnt progressed.
Only exception here I can think of was Queer As Folk and that was hounded by the press until they stopped making it.

 

[squarespray]

The casting-of-Stamos... ignited my subconscious to classify the film as a Gay-Male piece, For Women. -Which isn't a bad thing.
Behind 'diamonds', a girl told-me, a woman's best-friends are gay guys... so the film's writing probably aspires-to that.

Disney originally wouldn't let hippies in, if they had patches on their jeans... Who's the Christian in that scenario... ?

 

[CJontherocks]

I think the rainbow A&E logo has a specific purpose. It's not targeting a broad spectrum of gay people. It's set to a disco beat and it pulsates and throbs. To me, that says "gay club atmosphere" - although the colors aren't quite right...since the first time I saw it, I thought the "red" was a little too pink.

(Heh heh... she said "throbs.")

I remember the Disney thing. It was big news for a while. I'd be interested to know if Disney still does that.

I guess what grabbed my attention was the A&E logo. It's one thing to air, even produce, a show featuring gay people or gay issues. They're on TV all the time, and not just on the Logo channel. But A&E made a big deal of altering their logo, at least for the advertisements. I didn't see any press releases about A&E's new gay-friendly attitude, and none of the network executives I looked up were openly gay (assuming their sexual preference would be part of their public bio... but most are married).

Is it obvious that I have entirely too much time on my hands?

Maybe there will be more info now that the movie has aired. But I agree major business entities like AETN and Disney would be compelled to remain in the closet like so many of us do.

I never considered the Gay-Male-Piece-For-Women angle. I probably would have caught that if it was on Lifetime or Oxygen. Good point.

I don't know why this intrigues me so.

 

[Night_Jasmine]

It's what I call the "red headed stepchild syndrome." People know that the gay community is there but prefer not to acknowledge it whenever possible.

Texas, you don't hear a lot about it at all. Just not spoken of for the most part. Which SUCKS.

 

[squarespray]

houston crude...


gay-acceptance as an afterthought, generating yawns... when talked-about.
sands in the wine-glass...

 

[John Doe]

Does the NBC peacock support gay people?

 

[Etoile]

Does the NBC peacock support gay people?

Naw, see, the colors are in the wrong order.

 

[CJontherocks]

I never knew there was a particular order. Damn, now I gotta re-do my Christmas tree.

 

[John Doe]

Naw, see, the colors are in the wrong order.

Okay, so just lefthanded gays?

 

[Etoile]

Okay, so just lefthanded gays?

Based on the NBC logo, I'd have to say they support only inside-out gays.

 

[CJontherocks]

Based on the NBC logo, I'd have to say they support only inside-out gays.

You mean like the opposite of gay? Anti-gay? Is NBC gay-bashing? Damn them... I'm not watching that channel any more.

Or maaaayyyybeeeeee... they are gay on the inside, but can't be out because they don't want any negative repercussions. It's their way of saying, "Yes, we're gay, but sshhhh... don't tell anyone."

 

[Etoile]

You mean like the opposite of gay? Anti-gay? Is NBC gay-bashing? Damn them... I'm not watching that channel any more.

Or maaaayyyybeeeeee... they are gay on the inside, but can't be out because they don't want any negative repercussions. It's their way of saying, "Yes, we're gay, but sshhhh... don't tell anyone."

Oooh, now that's a theory...