CNN Removes Online Poll Asking If Gay TV Characters Are ‘Bad For Society’

by Frances Martel | 4:12 pm, September 11th, 2010

» 22 comments

With some obvious exceptions, asking whether something is “good for society” will more likely than not get you in hot water, especially when the object of discussion is an entire group of people and their representation in pop culture. CNN learned this the hard way this week when they received a request from GLAAD to remove an offensive online poll asking: “Is the surge in gay TV characters ‘bad for society’?”

The poll was an online bonus to a feature on Headline News’ Showbiz Tonight about the “surge” in gay and gay-friendly characters on TV, and the impact they would have on culture. GLAAD took some issue with the segment because, according to its website, of its “war language” against the gay community, but the poll itself was significantly more offensive. On their blog, the organization explains:

“But CNN’s offensive poll and its attempts to manufacture controversy by granting a platform to so-called experts like [Media Research Center's Dan] Gainor follows an alarming trend of media outlets creating simplistic, predictable ‘pro-gay’/'anti-gay’ dualisms that do a great disservice to viewers who are seeking information on the diversity of opinion and experience within our community.”

CNN responded accordingly and quickly removed the poll, though the segment that inspired it has not been revoked. They have also not commented on the media figures they use to discuss such issues, but those at GLAAD protesting the poll thanked CNN for their swiftness in correcting the issue.

CNN, gay tv characters, GLAAD, Online Polls

greg454

CNN has no balls, I love gay characters on TV and I’m not afraid of a poll no matter the results. Besides, TV stations don’t listen to polls, they listen to ratings. Jerry Springer is still on the air because of ratings yet I’m sure if the poll asked if people thought the Jerry Springer show was good most would say it isn’t.
tatboy

Look in America these things are “verboten”. That’s just how is is when liberals run things (media, entertainment, etc.).
Dave Richards

GOOD LORD!!!! What a sensitive bunch of pussy’s!!! Not that there is anything wrong with that:)
felixw

I am glad to see that the Thought Police at CNN caught this. Generally they screen these things out before the public ever sees them. But better late than never. That’s what I like about CNN. You know, its skill in filtering out stuff before we see it.
jk76

“within our community” WITHIN….OUR….it’s us vs you all.

we want equality but recognize our specialness too! just like every other category or group that shows up
notsofast

I guess Sanchez was disturbed by it.
btimsah

Today, Americans have a tendency to simply ignore uncomfortable truths. Whatever they may be; That our foreign policy helped create terrorism or even the simple fact that a lot of America still think gay people are morally reprehensible. One of my favorite ways to point this out is Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert on American Idol. They were obviously the best to come off of those shows but they didn’t win. I always believed it people assuming they were gay and would not vote for them. Who won those seasons anyway?

I won’t pull any punches in my assessment of any situation because we keep doing that as a nation and we’re paying for that daily. We’ve gotta stop the political correctness crap and start dealing truthfully and bluntly with all we’ve done and the true reality of it. You don’t like homosexuality? Fine, at least admit it. That’s all I can ask because then I can denounce everything you (HONESTLY) stand for.
http://none pyrope

jk76 said:
“within our community” WITHIN….OUR….it’s us vs you all. we want equality but recognize our specialness too! just like every other category or group that shows up

I have no problem with actors portraying homosexuals as long as it is done with full honesty. The trouble is these portrayals are almost never honest.
NORBIT

They should change the poll to ask if Race-Baiting, Christian-Hating Democrats are bad for society!
NORBIT

btw, Where is the Professional Left Media OUTRAGE over Fitty-Cents tweet on Gays?

Fitty: “Perez Hilton called me douchebag, so I had my homie shoot up a gay wedding, wasn’t his but sure made me feel better.” (pic of men in suits running from a mob was attached to the tweet)

Let’s see how much coverage the HYPOCRITES in the left-wing MSM will give to this!
- then compare it to the coverage a Conservative Country Singer would receive had they made the same remarks!!

If you want Fair & Balanced News, go to FOX!
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

The only problem with gay characters is that they put on to sell the radical gay agenda. Women fall fo the gay marriage nonsense because of these sweet things on tv.
They are so cute. They just want to be happy.
Marriage is between a man and a woman, PERIOD. I agree with Obama.
mibwilso

Posting this poll is another example of how CNN tries to pander to the Fox News crowd.
sell

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CAconservative

How does a group of people making up less than 3% of the population, garner so much attention? And who the hell are the people telling me that I can’t think the Gay life-style is morally reprehensible? I think that because, it is!! The only thing more sexually reprehensible is the guy looking for sex in the barnyard!
FoxSpells666

Don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t think.
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NORBIT said:
btw, Where is the Professional Left Media OUTRAGE over Fitty-Cents tweet on Gays? Fitty: “Perez Hilton called me douchebag, so I had my homie shoot up a gay wedding, wasn’t his but sure made me feel better.” (pic of men in suits running from a mob was attached to the tweet) Let’s see how much coverage the HYPOCRITES in the left-wing MSM will give to this!- then compare it to the coverage a Conservative Country Singer would receive had they made the same remarks!! If you want Fair & Balanced News, go to FOX!

blaming CNN for the nutjobs from faux news screwing up their poll. what stupidity from stpid people like norbit. gays are not bad for society. to believe they are shows how digustingly ignorant you are. just like norbit pandering that “fair and blanlanced” bullshit. to the a-holes who believes this poll, i got three words for you…

NEIL
PATRICK
HARRIS
Newsjunky

I am gay and I don’t have a problem with that poll at all.
http://none pyrope

pyrope said:
I have no problem with actors portraying homosexuals as long as it is done with full honesty. The trouble is these portrayals are almost never honest.

For what it’s worth, I believe the TV program “NYPD Blue” did some honest portrayals.
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Captain Steve

What pervs do in private is nobody’s business but their own. But, keep them off TV.
backlink

blaming CNN for the nutjobs from faux news screwing up their poll. what stupidity from stpid people like norbit. gays are not bad for society. to believe they are shows how digustingly ignorant you are. just like norbit pandering that “fair and blanlanced” bullshit. to the a-holes who believes this poll, i got three words for you…http://www.bestwaterproofcamera.org