Getting your message out

Let’s face it. Any organization that spends 6,000 hours on monitoring network and cable television over a one-year period knows the importance of media and its impact on society. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Deformation (GLAAD) just published its fourth annual network responsibility index. They want television and cable networks to share real stories about the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. They want the general audience to understand that we all have common ground in which we all share.

First of all, I am not writing this article to suggest that gay and lesbians do not have the right to be on cable and network television. I believe in freedom of speech as much as the next guy. Everybody has the right in this country to get their message out even if you and I don’t agree with it.

But what strikes me is that GLAAD understands just how important the media is to their cause. They have committed time and resources to convince the general public to embrace and accept the gay and lesbian lifestyle as normal. You do that by presenting positive gay and lesbian characters on television. What they are doing is not by accident but is a strategic and well-orchestrated plan. I only wish that the Body of Christ would embrace the same passion for using media to influence our culture with a Biblical message.

Not only does GLAAD study how much gay and lesbian characters are represented on television, but they also assist in supporting future filmmakers at prominent film schools. It would appear that their investment is paying off. Not only do they support gay and lesbian filmmakers but any filmmaker that will accept their support. This offer comes with no strings attached. But it is a subtle way to buy future influence.

I can’t think of any Christian organizations that are actively at work trying to help and support future filmmakers. Do you think we are missing an opportunity? So what has GLAAD gotten for their money? According to their report, MTV received the first ever excellent rating. MTV had 207 hours of original programming which included 42% of content reflecting the lives of gays and lesbians. Among broadcast networks, the CW was on top with 35%, while Fox came in with 30% and ABC with 26%. CBS received a failing grade with only 7%.

Here’s what surprised me. On cable television, ABC Family had 37% of its content reflecting gay and lesbian characters compared to only 26% over at HBO. Again, the point here is not to say that GLAAD doesn’t have the right to promote their cause or wheel whatever influence they can exert on broadcast and cable television networks. Obviously, they have been very successful at accomplishing their goals.

We as the Body of Christ could learn a thing or two from them. Here’s the bottom line, GLAAD fully understands the importance of portraying gay and lesbian characters on television. Whoever controls the media controls the culture. And GLAAD is fully committed to having a piece of the action. If your message isn’t on television or the media it’s obviously not relevant.

What do we take away from this? The Body of Christ has to do a better job of understanding how we can use media to influence society with our message. And the best place to do that is through entertainment, when people are relaxed and are willing and open to accept whatever comes across their television screen. There’s work to be done. First let’s support future Christians who are studying to become film or media makers, especially those who plan to work in Hollywood and the mainstream entertainment industry.

Let’s take a page out of GLAAD’s playbook. It’s obviously working