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Lesbian/Bi Women in Reality TV 2008Gimme Sugar (Logo)
A new reality series about a group of lesbian/bi women in Los Angeles, Gimme Sugar takes the attitude of MTV shows such as The Hills and gives it a dykey twist. The result is a six-episode series about young, cute women who spend their evenings partying it up in an L.A. lesbian nightclub. These five young women, all in their early 20s, have jobs that have little relation to the series — except for Charlene, who is the MC at Truck Stop, the club where they all hang out on Friday nights. When her friend Alex, who is 20 in the series' first episode, is turned away at the door because she is underage, Alex and the others decide to start their own night club on Saturday nights. Among the other friends are Davonee, the group's tomboyish Shane figure; Bathilda, a flamboyant girl who has a flair for drama; and Robin, who largely blends into the background except when taunted by Alex. As a successor to Logo's previous reality series about lesbians, Curl Girls, Gimme Sugar is a marked improvement. This time it is clear that the five women are friends in real life, and though their intra-group drama may cause some eye rolls, they also clearly like each other. The series premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET on Logo and will be available in its entirety on AfterEllen.com. The Good: One of the most positive aspects of Gimme Sugar is that three of the five main characters are Asian Americans, a group that has been woefully underrepresented on television regardless of sexual orientation. Given that the number of openly lesbian Asian-Americans in the public eye can be counted on one hand, this is especially welcome. Clockwise from top left: Bathilda, Davonee, Charlene Gimme Sugar also presents a group of lesbian/bi friends hanging out together — something that is rarely seen on television, where lesbian/bi characters (or personalities on reality shows) are generally isolated from a queer peer group. This is valuable because it shows queer teens — the demographic that this kind of show is aimed at — that having a group of gay friends, where your sexuality is moot, is possible. Finally, the series features an extremely gay-positive social scene, which is something that many younger LGBT viewers need to see on television. Dating is presented as entirely normal, and whatever drama arises does not arise because of one's sexual orientation, but because of issues that are common to straight people as well. The Bad: As in many series that include lesbian/bi women, biphobia is present in Gimme Sugar. Alex, who is bisexual, is often ridiculed for her bisexuality by her otherwise supportive lesbian friends. Alex This is unfortunate because it presents bi-bashing as acceptable social behavior. It is clear that Alex's friends do like her, but their dismissal of her sexual orientation as disgusting is disappointing. Even if it reflects reality in the lesbian community — where bisexuals are often discriminated against — it also reflects poorly on the girls of Gimme Sugar. The Bottom Line: Gimme Sugar is a lighthearted reality series that features more Asian-American lesbians than have ever been seen before on television. Though it is not perfect, nor is it fatally flawed. It also provides a much-needed representation of a young, queer friendship group on TV. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Yay At least I know what
sweet.
can't wait for GIMME SUGAR now. I honestly had no idea what the show was really about, nor that I would seriously watch it. but now I WILL ;)
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THE UNOFFICIAL JILL BENNETT FANCLUB WEBPAGE
http://www.freewebs.com/ujbfc
Ooo..sugar, tea...or?
Gimme sugar sounds cool...
Hopefully I can catch it online @ AfterEllen since Logo locks us Canucks (and other non US viewers) out. :(
Asian American
I'm happy to see a few Asian Americans in television. I've never heard of Gimmie Sugar, but I will check it out. I would think though that homosexuality has been so scrutinized that we as a community no matter what differences there are in a person we need to accept & respect everyone, since the homosexual community know discrimination and hatred first hand. Our community needs to be the first that does not judge, but only loves and accepts everyone's differences. A revolution is near! -Rachel
Totally agree Rachel- and big kudos to Malinda Lo
Thank you for what you wrote. As a bisexual woman, I can't tell you how much it means to read a comment like that- you rock! :) Thx.
AND Malinda, as always, wonderful article- I appreciate what you wrote and for this comment,
"this is unfortunate because it presents bi-bashing as acceptable social behavior. It is clear that Alex's friends do like her, but their dismissal of her sexual orientation is as disgusting as it is disappointing. Even if it reflects reality in the lesbian community — where bisexuals are often discriminated against — it also reflects poorly on the girls of Gimme Sugar."
... you deserve at least a thousand gold stars and a big ole Bi-Ally of the Year trophy!! You consistently support bisexual women in your writing and it means so much. THANK YOU.
I am actually really excited
alex
alex t is bisexual? wow i had no idea. that silly chica is one funny lady. i guess they all need to label themselves on tv.Dani Campbell?
Why does everyone think she is so hot?? Brandi Ryan on a shot at love 1 though was way hotter....remember the blonde girl that kicked herself out ! She's hot
Community Media Perspective
Funny to read this . I feel like I'm back in my Media Communications class. The way we have to study how much diversity are represented on television shows and the way different people are portrayed. I have to say Malinda,you do a great job objectifying yourself when writing such a perspective. I give Afterellen kudos for being on top of their game.
I can't wait to see Gimme Sugar here on Afterellen. Right now I don't have a television but I'm working on getting one. So my entertainment comes from the net. Thanks Sarah.
Smiling )
Gay Model
There's going to be a gay girl on a reality show here in the UK this year too! It's called "Britain's Missing Top Model" and it's about disabled models or girls with disabilities becoming models- The advert isn't very clear! We used to go to school together and she was really openly 'out' but I don't know if she will be on the show.
Gimme Sugar
It's great to see 3 Asian-American queer women (or hell, 3 Asian-American women, period) on tv. And it looks like Gimme Sugar won't have too much hair-pulling, cat-fighting behavior that I hate to see so often in reality shows with a group of young women.
But when I see the previews for it, I roll my eyes everytime. In the commercials, they are asked "Do you know anything about starting a club?" I have a good feeling the answer is no. Gimme Sugar seems like another show like The Hills, where attractive young women are given some silly premise as an excuse for a show. Not that that's really a bad thing, it's just not my cup of tea. Plus, in those shows (The Hills, recent Real World and Road Rules seasons) the women-and the men-most often come across as idiots. Personally, I see enough idiots and act like an idiot enough that I don't really want to see it on tv. And if I did, I'd just turn on CNN or MSN or Fox News. (...well, never Fox. I do have a shread of sanity to hold onto) But, like I said, one woman's annoyance is another woman's guilty pleasure! And who knows? maybe I'll catch it while channel surfing and get hooked. But I doubt it.
IM ALREADY ADDICTED
when does it start???
Top Chef
A Defense of Shot at Love
does anyone know?
i have directv.
anyone know what channel logo is on?
i want to check if i have logo and check out gimme sugar.
Logo on Directv
She's got the look
so hott
omg!!! ive never so many hott hott aznz on one show!! omg!!THANX YOU Logo!!!!
there so soso hott bathilda omg!@$@! she hotttttt
Two things:
"the fact that no women have ever won the title of "Top Chef" — is not about sexual orientation at all. Instead, it probably is a reflection of gender bias and the old boys' network among professional chefs."
Or, it could just be that the men who won were better chefs.
Crazy idea, I know.
Stating no woman has ever won the title "Top Chef" is such a titillating proclamation. However, for g-d's sake, the program has only had three other winners, not twenty three.
Regarding Jackie Warner and her, "fundamentalist Christian mother"...
Writers on this site continue to use this inaccurate label. Purposefully, one might ask?
Her mother is not a fundamentalist Christian. Her mother is a Mormon. Mormon's are not considered Christian, as they do not accept the basic premises and tenets of Christianity.
TV Sugar
i have to check out Gimmie Sugar, it sucks about the biphobia in it though!
Tila Tequila and her show is the worst example of bisexuals, totally fitting the stereotypes, makes me angry!
gimme sugar and shot at love
i dont watch top chef so i really dont have much to say about it...
but as far as gimme sugar goes...i loved it and i hope they continue to follow the girls. i think this article is right about the bi-bashing being overlooked a little.. but hey, it happens.
as far as a shot at love goes...i really really dont like Tila but i think the girls are kinda great. I love that brittany girl and i totally love that kristy rejected her in the end. and on season 1 i loooooooooooved dani!
i also just heard that they are now casting for a shot at love season 3, (we all saw that coming) but apparently they have a new bi-bachelorette that isnt tila. RAD.
as far as the article saying that both the guys and girls look bad...i dont think thats true entirely. the girls consistently look cooler, hotter, more competitive, more fun, and just better all around. the guys are stupid.
just my thoughts. maybe ill go try out for asal3! hahahahahahah
asian american