ABC's Modern Family: How "Modern" Is Its Gay Couple?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 11:59am

You know, I'm always getting my nose out of joint about stuff, but these seems like just such a non-issue to me.

From the onset, I always found Cam and Mitchell to be like gay couples I actually know. Until I read these things online, I hadn't even realized they'd never actually kissed on the show.

At any rate, others are bent over this, so I thought I'd see what people here had to say.

I read most of the arguments that the show is a problem because of the perceived lack of affection between Cam and Mitchell at HuffPo and Pam's House Blend. I discounted HuffPo's almost immediately because the writer referred to the gay couple of ABC's Brothers & Sisters as "amazing," which is just nonsensical hyperbole. Pam's ratchets up the hysteria a notch, as they are wont to do.

Anyway, has this been a problem for anyone else?


Huffington Post - Modern Family: How "Modern" Is Its Gay Couple?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 11:59am

Why Do Realistic Representations of Gay Relationships in the Media Matter? Ask EW's Annie Barrett

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:04pm

You came to the right place, Phyllis. My partner & I ARE Cam & Mitchell. (You guess who is who) I can tell you we've kissed in public exactly once- When we pulled up next to a car with a bunch of right-wing bumper stickers. And Mitchell (Who is usually very reticent about PDA) is the one who suggested it.
Updated On: 5/20/10 at 12:04 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:14pm

I mean, it's honestly never registered to me. I swear there was an episode where they alluded to a threesome. I think they are two of the gayest gay characters I've seen on network tv.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:21pm

This is clearly an issue with a lot of gay people out there (which might explain why I have no problems with it). This one baffles me because apparently there's a stereotype that gays don't get technology; you know, the same gays who were internet hooking up long before it caught on with the straights.
Funny Uncles

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:24pm

Interestingly, a straight female friend was the first to bring this to my attention.

She said something the other week like "Have you noticed they never kiss?" I hadn't, really. But she went on to say that she was watching an episode (maybe the Hawaii one?) where each of the others kissed their partners, and she thought it stood out that Cam and Mitchell, in the same moment, didn't.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:25pm

That's what seemed to rankle many people's feathers. The flip side is that Claire was rip-soaringly drunk in that scene. I honestly didn't even notice.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:27pm

Phyl, was "rip-soaringly" a typo or on purpose? Because I think it's brilliant.

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:28pm

I know a lot more beefy gay guys who love football than gay guys who fear technology.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:29pm

Heh. It was a typo, but I shall leave it.

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:30pm

She got drunk to calm her fear of flying so I think she was rip-soaring drunk.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:31pm

Just don't get Rip-Torning drunk!

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:33pm

No, I get Rip Taylor-drunk.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:34pm

Is he gay?

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:37pm

Don't be racist.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:40pm

This thread must be racist. Nobody but me, you and Reg have an opinion!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:43pm

I never noticed the lack of affection until people started talking about it. It doesn't bother me--their raising a child is landmark for gay characters on TV. Even without any kissing, I think they exude so much love for each other. And best of all, they are HILARIOUS.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:44pm

Of course they don't kiss. They're a long term couple raising a kid. I would say they're 100% accurate in that depiction.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:47pm

I kinda thought that, too.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:50pm

I suppose, but aren't the others long-term couples raising kids, too?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:53pm

Well, Ed O'Neill is gonna kiss Sofia Vergara because, well, have you seen her? Even I kind of want to do her!

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:55pm

Kind of?

I have a HUGE crush on her.

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:57pm

To be serious I can't recall ANY other kisses on the show except the airport one and this week's kiss-cam.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 12:57pm

I should have been more specific. They're a long term gay couple raising a kid. Of course they don't kiss. Both those things make it doubly true.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/20/10 at 1:01pm

Funny, except for the whole "kiss" itself, if find Cameron and Mitchell very affectionate and supportive. There is plenty of touching.

I find the whole discussion a bit absurd.