Is Noah's Arc Gay?

Strike two.  Because the Chicago White Sox just clinched the 2005 Major League Baseball Championship I must use a baseball metaphor to discuss the second episode of Noah's Arc--which should be renamed, What's Love Got To Do With Sex and the City When You're Waiting To Exhale?

First, let me say, I want to like this show. I sooooo badly want to like this show.  After last week's review, I watched the pilot episode four times.  I could hardly wait for the second episode.  But somewhere there is a disconnect. 

The question that I want to ask, Is Noah's Arc a gay television series?  I ask the question because after last night's show, I am not so sure. I think I am watching a heterosexual show with male-female couples.  Noah and the majority of his girl posse seem to go beyond effeminate and have turned into black women.  Gone are my previous comparisons to Sex and the City.  We have ventured into Waiting To Exhale territory.

When I see the long haired Noah interact with Wade, I forget that this is a show about male on male love.  For a moment, I thought I was watching a woman with a man.  From the way Noah acts, to the haute couture clothes he wears (Did you see the mille feuilles sweater that the scary and equally womanly fashion designer Juliet Romeo gave him as a present?) he carries himself in a way that lies far outside of the mainstream of even an effeminate gay man.

The same holds true for Alex and his hunky man Trey.  When I see Alex, I think of a big ole black mama like Gloria (played by Loretta Devine) in Waiting To Exhale.  The chemistry between these two is not the chemistry of two men--but that of a man and a woman.  They aren't gay, they are "heterosexual" gays.  I think about Six Feet Under's gay characters Keith and David--not for one minute did I think that Keith and David were SUPER BUTCH.  But I never once questioned that they were two men in a gay interaction.

Of course I am making assumptions about what it means to be a "man".  And I will admit that this is problematic on my part.  I don't even have a problem with "heterosexual" gay relationships being portrayed on television.  But on Noah's Arc the "heterosexual" gay is not one of many manifestations of being gay--it is THE manifestation.  No other alternatives are present.  Where is the couple who consist of two average (not overly masculine OR feminine) men getting busy?  Why do three of the four main characters seem so closely modeled to women?

Why is Noah's Arc filled with such fantasy? I applaud the creator of Noah's Arc for putting an effeminate man with a more masculine man.  I also applaud him for putting what would be thought of as traditionally unattractive men with more attractive men.  But in pairing these extreme opposites, the show does little to counteract stereotypes--instead it re-inforces them.  We don't see an effeminate Alex grab his man and be aggressive with him, or Noah assert himself and demand that Wade suck his dick (but he will eat his ass).  No instead, at every turn we see Trey manhandling Alex, and two guys, Wade and Ricky fighting over Noah's chastity belt.

Keith Boykin writes that Noah's Arc will open a new dialogue about the role of effeminate men in gay communities.  I wish it were so.  Let's move past the whole "Should the show have effeminate characters debate".  It's tired.  As I've said repeatedly, of course it should. Effeminate men have been an integral part of gay communities. But other men should be shown as well.  And do we have to see effeminate men stereotyped as well?  After watching the show are our perceptions of feminine men really challenged in any way other than, I never thought a feminine guy could pull such a good looking masculine man?  Surely that is not revolutionary.

But why does Noah's Arc go to such lengths to indulge these fantasy situations?  Instead of breaking down stereotypes about effeminate gay men, this show re-inforces them.  What about the effeminate man who loves to penetrate?  And how many masculine men do we all know that love to be bottoms?  These are the images that need to be shown so that stereotypes about masculinity and feminity can be broken.  But right now, it seems that the show merely wants to indulge the fantasy that queeny guys can get studs too.

And let's not even get into notions of attractiveness.  Why are all of the masculine, objects of affection, light-skinned, racially ambiguous, exotic and muscular?  The one masculine guy that is not racially ambiguous, Wade, is still another anomaly--a brotha on the down low.  What happened to the average kinky haired masculine brown-skinned gay brotha who likes to get down?  Is he not light enough or DL enough for the effeminate man?  Is this an accurate representation of attractiveness in our black gay communities.  I don't think so.  At least I hope it isn't.

While I have problems with the show's writing, let me end on a positive note.  I think that the acting is solid.  The second episode of Noah's Arc brings us a Chance that is more sympathetic and likeable.  He's been cheated on by his DL thug loving boyfriend Eddie , and we can all feel his pain.  When he drives the mini-van through the house to confront Eddie, his high camp Dynasty line is over-the-top, but still priceless, "Eddie, we need to talk."

Alex, my favorite, is still the belle of the ball and the life of the party (Noah, where's the brown suga?  Where's the brown suga, gurrr?).  I can't wait until he takes on more serious issues, because I think he will nail it.  And finally, Wade is as hot as ever.

I will be tuning in to Noah's Arc next week.  But I don't see myself, or any of the black gay men I know reflected on this show.  I feel alienated.  Right now, all I see is a black queen's fantasy where all the hot light-skinned men think that the effeminate boy is the shit. So far, two strikes. I hope they don't strike out next week.

Make sure you read today's story, Porn Star, just under this entry!

Comments

[BRANDON GRAHAM]

I LOV NOAH AND WADE

[Wayne Rowser]

all I can say is why. Why do people have to be soo judgemental. See the show for what it really is. A view into the lives of a group of Black Gay men. Not a documentary of how all GBMs live. As we all know most people don't like what they don't understand and with that said The show has to appeal not only to a gay audience but a straight audience that is either interested in learning something( that we are all just people...all with loves, fears, joys, and pains) or stopped turning the channel to rest their finger. You can't make every show appeal to everyone all of the time if that were the case everyone on the show would be mixed and have a curve between their legs like barbie. I know i may be of subject now but come on This show is full of good actors with quality storylines. And if someone would have seen that from the first episode, and made it to the end of season 2, they would have seen the full spectrem.

[Quinton Hamilton]

Well I for one love the show and can't wait for the second season. I think that it's good that the show has a bit of fantasy and like many said before every one can't be pleased but, who knows it there is another season it just might be slightly modified. I still happen to like the fact that some of this guys can live life freely and fully without critism. I think the fems with their boyish lovers is enough varity and I hope the show keeps its work up.

luv,
BiggQ

[Floetry Spades]

I also agree that a butch gay character would scare the pants off a lot of Americans. The thing about it is this - there are a lot of gay men around this country, and others, that act no different from the stereotypical heterosexual man. Their practically indistinguishable from them and undetectable as gay men. This dynamic needs to be represented more on television - seeing as how it has the greatest influence on our culture and usually encourages us to develop an unrealistic opinion about groups of people we know nothing about(IE;gays). I can understand why the pressure would be on Noah's Arc to represent this dynamic because their one of few gay television shows available to us, as of now, to watch. Maybe...um...they'll get it right after another year or two and diversify their characters in a way more representative to that of the gay community. I just don't want to criticize the show TOO much because like every one else, I'm still giddy over their ACTUALLY BEING a gay television show available for us to watch...even if it isn't mainstream or on a major network channel....

[Nate]

It amazes me that some folks just don't get the show. The show has a very diverse mix of the gay culture. To sit back a critique a show based on whose overly feminine or masculine is ridiculous! There is a very beautiful message about friendship and love (for oneself and others)that the show relays. YOU ARE MISSING IT! Come on people we are much better than this. Be thankful there is a show like this on television..

[Dee]

I have yet to see the show but I have seen previews of it. Just from the many previews and clips I have seen...I REFUSE to watch it! I second the motion that this sitcom is a bunch of BLACK WOMEN WITH DICKS!

Now I do understand that the feminine brothas have and will always be here; however, I honestly believe that to really create controversy (which the show claims to be doing) they need to have more masculine characters.

How bout a character who is married and sneaks out with his boys on the low every now and then? How about a grad-school frat boy who is out to his frat brothas, extremely close homeboys, and no one else. How bout a club hopper who works at the post office, likes to smoke a lil herb, listens to gangsta music, is built, and a PURE BOTTOM! Then to throw in what is familiar to mainstream America, there should be one slightly feminine man who snaps and pops his fingers; however, at work he is on top of his game.

Take those four flavas, make em friends, swirl em all together, and you got one interesting show in my opinion. Just food for thought.

[Procrastination_xtravaganza]

In line with Rob and TJ, why do people expect so much from one show? I wouldn't frame my expectations for Noah's Arc as 'low,' but I do realize it's just one show. As Dorian Corey said in Paris Is Burning, "you don't have to bend the whole world [to leave a mark upon it]" and neither does Noah's Arc. More important than "does this 2-episode-in show break everydamn gay stereotype and barrier for all six billion of us on the planet," ask yourself, "am I entertained by this?"
One show can't/won't do it all. If it entertains you, support it, this will lead to more programming of a similar vein (gay, black, gay & black), which as a whole will give a more complete depiction of, us, whoever we are.

[taylor Siluwé]

Rob and Carl are speaking the truth. The Noah character was 'softened' almost beyond recognition to make him more acceptable.

Society fears the undetectable gay man. But this is okay, we have a show on a TV. Hopefully, in time, it will spread its wings if we continue to give our undying support.

There are things that can be criticized [and btw, TJ, what was there to criticize Six Feet Under for?!], and as long as we keep them constuctive its a good thing.

[Ricky]

I have yet to see Noah's Arc, to actually give my opinion of the show. I am glad to see that it is inspiring alot of dialogue on the good and bad of the show. Hope it gets released on DVD soon as a set so those of us in area where it is not available can finally see it.

[Ricky]

I have yet to see Noah's Arc to give a review of the show, not available on my digital cable package. I hope it gets released in DVD soon.

[Mark Norris]

What the hell is wrong with effeminate black gay men?? We come in all shades, sizes, and mannerisms. And I believe the Noah's Arc celebrates a small variety of our community. Trust me when I tell you the old saying is true: "you can't please all of the people all of the time." Can you imagine if Patrick-Ian Polk tried to do that, we would never have a show "we" could identify with or even begin to identify with. How dare we try to alienate our effeminate brotha's. Isn't America doing a good job of that alone? If most of the characters were butch, then it would be his is trying to hard to not fall into the stereotypical gay man. I say to Patrick...."do you boo-boo."

Much love,
Mark

[Tai Edward Few]

I agree with your analysis. This show has as much to do with black male-male love as Sex In The City. These characters are women with dicks. I hate it

[carl]

Well, ur wrong Rob .. the most fearful thing in the world (to most str8t woman and men and many gay men) - is a black male that is virile, strong, firm, disciplined, likes sports, has a deep voice, tall, strapping and carries himself well who happens to love getting fucked down by another man ... The notion drives people nuts and most people are not comfortabLe with that thought in their head ... We say all this crap about "look at the person for who they are blah, blah, blah" but less face it a large part of who we are is what we like to do sexually

Everyone is comfortable with a queen (bottom or top) cause they are not seen as threats and likely to not challenge anyones ideal about sexuality and their own little encapsulated world and way of thinking but u place a normal looking brother in the same pic people will start second guessing the next guy that talks to them on street, at work, at bar, at b-ball game ... it scares people

We need to ENCOURAGE gay writers to recognize this ... frankly, it's boring seeing a show with a bunch of queens prancing around and about in their daily lives ... shyt, that episode plays out all over the country and we can all write the script for that finally, a show we have all been waiting for and SLAM the smae ol gurls ...

I have talked to many people that are disappointed with the depictions... criticism is a good thing

[TJ]

I am actually enjoying the show. I didn't expect too much from it...and I haven't been disappointed. I mean it's not like it has the backing of a major cable network like HBO or Showtime. I'm going to give Noah a pass and not pick it apart like I have done with Six Feet Under...Soul Food...and so on. I'll enjoy the eye candy...the funny moments...and if we get a second season....then maybe I will start digging in its butt. LOL

[Rob]

Well, have you thought about the fact that mayb, just maybe, they are not trying to "represent" EVERY black gay male in the quite large spectrum of black gay men? If it's that bad, I suggest you stop watching. At this point, I think the show needs a little suport. Clearly, from the way most gays have been up in arms. I wouldn't blame any black gay screen writer if they decided to not make another film. The word for today is ENCOURAGE.