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I’ve dialed back discussing politics quite a lot and I must confess that each passing year has become somewhat heartbreaking to watch the people of my country at each other’s throats over every single issue.
What is particularly frustrating is seeing our nation stepping away from the founding principles that free people should live their lives how they want to.
Having a look back I recall that the 70s were a time where we, as a nation, made great strides in coming to terms that this means ALL of us. What’s more, this message was openly depicted in the media of the day.
I thought to cite many examples of this in TV and movies, but it is such a huge topic that it would be utterly insurmountable.
Instead, I’ve decided to focus on one show. One nine season show where five pf those nine season were rated number one, and another two seasons in the top 10.
All in The Family.
The show, as us old folks will remember, tackled issues of race, religion, women’s lib, politics, and the changing time. These days, I see people wax nostalgic that you can’t have a show like this today. The frustrating part is, they are nostalgic for the days when Archie Bunker said shockingly horrible things. THEY’VE MISSED THE POINT!
The show was an arc of this ‘loveable bigot’ coming to understand the changing times and making peace in it. What’s more, they even took a few jabs at Michael’s occasional virtue signaling (as it’s called today) rather than humanizing his subjects of his causes. The show was about understanding how to cope with different viewpoints and modes of living.
One thing’s for sure. In a world where people LOSE THEIR MINDS because M&Ms changed the shoes of a fictional cartoon spokes-candy, you can’t do a show like this today.
And we really need one.
So the show tackled a lot of issues, and I can’t unpack them all. Today, I’d like to point out five episodes that deal with LGBTQIA+ issues and did a masterful job at it in context of the times.
CAUTION there WILL be some ROUGH language in these old episodes.
Previous to this, most depictions of LGBTQIA+ characters and themes were solely for humor at their expense, or worse, villainized.
Season one. Episode 5 Judging Books By Covers. -Homosexual stereotypes
In this episode the show tackles a gay character and breaks down gay stereotypes. While the characters don’t really ‘grow’ through this one, the audience does. This is Feb 1971, a year and a half after Stonewall, and only months after the nations first open gay pride parade.
Next, there is a character that appeared in three separate episodes in seasons 6, 7, and 8. Beverly LeSalle (a female impersonator, what we commonly call a drag performer today).
Rather than post three separate episodes, I’ve found an excellent two-part video that breaks down what’s going on and gives context for the times. SPOILER ALERT: Edith is a perfect person who understands humanity right off. The other characters can only try to become so.
Last is another episode from season 8: Cousin Liz dealing with a homosexual marriage (decades before such things were legal). What’s more, they are school teachers.
Once again, Edith, who is slow to comprehend gay queues, understand IMMEDIATELY about love, family, and what her faith teachers her. This one came before the final Beverly episode.
It is my hope that even the Archie Bunkers of this world, who usually have some inner sense of fairness once reminded, will listen to the Ediths of the world and come to grips with what is truly important for understanding humanity.
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Cranky Old Witch
Other 70s/80s trans and trans aligned episodes
The Love Boat - Season 5, episode 15 - Gopher's Roommate (very positive episode)
WKRP in Cincinnati - Season 3 Episode 5 - Hotel Oceanview (not a positive episode)
Night Court - Season 3 Episode 6 - Best of Friends (to be watched)
The Jeffersons - Season 4 Episode 3 - Once a Friend (to be watched)
Edit: Jeffersons is mostly positive
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
Medical Center - Season 7 - Episodes 1, 2 - The Fourth Sex - September 8, 15; 1975
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
Westside Medical - Episode 7 - The Mermaid - July 7, 1977
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
Gimmie a Break - Season 3 - Episode 7 - Nov 17, 1983
(Mostly transphobic)
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
St. Elsewhere - Season 1 - Episode 12 - Release - Feb 1, 1983
(No real redemption, but a few lines differentiating between transsexuals (the term at the time) and transvestitism)
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
The Golden Girls - Season 3 - Episode 7 - Strange Bedfellows - November 7, 1987
(RARE depiction of a transgender man)
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China Beach - Season 3 - Episode 8 - China Men - November 22, 1989
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Jon 🐇
Wonderful reminder, thank you :)
As a nation, in a lot of way, we've walked backwards. We need to move FOREWARD
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
I know! We need MORE rights, not less, stop taking shit that isn't yours, America! >:P
by Jon 🐇; ; Report