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| Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD. | |||
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latest posts
May 13, 2004
I remember the first time I saw titties on television. I was in elementary school in the 1970s, when we only had 3 channels on television, and one night on PBS, there they were. There was nothing sexual about it, unless you're into long droopy breasts of native Africans, but I distinctly remember the shock my siblings and I had at the site.
PBS has always opened our eyes to other worlds. Back in the 1970s, PBS presented the first reality television show American Family. Not only was it the first reality television show, but the sheries also provided a glimpse into the coming out process when Lance Loud, the teenage son of the Loud family, came out.
PBS is at it again, only this time its with the reality television series Colonial House. This series puts several people in a Colonial setting forcing them to live as we did back in the day. Not a detail is spared, down to the very fabric of the clothes, the food, the role of subjugated women, and the toils of living without modern conveniences.
In the story below, 24 year old Jonathon Allen talks about how he had to come out on the show. Interestingly enough, nothing is said about whether this subject is handled in the way Colonials would handle it.
If PBS really wants ratings, I have some suggestions.
PBS should adhere to Colonial House's concept and force the colonist to deal with his homosexuality the way they did back then. After all, the women in colonial house must endure a daily regiment that is nothing short of slavery while men enjoy a relaxed home life. Why shouldn't the colonists work their frustrations out with everyday life on the homosexual in true Colonial fashion?
Gay actor comes out in series set in Colonial America
By Tim Clodfelter
relish
May 13, 2004
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