Customer Reviews

Up From Invisibility: Lesbians, Gay Men, and the Media in America

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're wanting to examine exactly how LGBT issues have been affected by the media, this book is by no means an encyclopedia filled with in-depth information. If you do, however, want to start understanding -- or if you're new to media studies or [gay] studies -- then this is the book for you. It lays the information out concisely (and, from what I can tell, accurately), and it never weighs itself down by stilting its language to impress the reader. A quick, simple, yet informative read.

There is no doubt that Larry Gross is a top scholar in the field of Gay Media Studies. Having just completed my own thesis and graduate work in the area, I found this work by Gross priceless because he makes the material readable, enjoyable and understandable for anyone. Looking at Gay representation in Mass Media from a variety of different perspectives, Television, Print Media, Film and briefly touching on gay visibility on the Internet. It is amazing that although I have been studying this material for 6+ years, Gross brought new insightful information to me on the material that I haven't heard or read before. This is must read and worthy personal library addition to anyone interested in Gay Studies. When we realize how far we have come, Gross is quick to remind us how far we have to go.

This book is a fascinating, well-written survey on how the LGTB community has been treated (or not)in the media in recent decades. While by no means comprehensive, the wealth of material covered will certainly satisfy (if not aptly enrage)the average reader. The main problem with the book is that the material presented enrages the author himself too much. While the material covered is ostensibly presented as dispassionate reporting, the author's footnotes and editorial asides intrude too much in leading the reader into what he/she is supposed to think. Lest we miss yet another insult to basic human rights or cowardice on the part of the powers that be, these points are repeatedly underlined. So what appeared as a sociologic survey transforms into a book of personal essays. This is unfortunate because it is easy to be convinced of the authorial point of view if the facts are allowed to speak for themselves. Nonetheless worthwhile reading if not the book it hopes to be.