Social Values the L Word

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Social Values. “The L word” Social values are those beliefs and attitudes that are held in our society and govern how we believe the individuals and groups within it should function or behave. Popular culture is a representation "of how things are or should be". Television and film portray, the norms held by a society, in other words, heterosexual relationships. What happens when a show defies this ideology? Television and film are both popular forms of narrative, though television tends to exhibit a single character's life much more extensively than film; we get to visit with these people every week. Dominate culture and ideology influence what is put on television, but this pop-culture with emerging values then turns around and influences our ideologies and dominant culture. The lesbian-themed drama, which debuted in January 2004, has been groundbreaking. Never before had a show with an all-lesbian ensemble that spoke directly to lesbian issues aired on television. The series has brought to light several issues of relevance to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community as well as character portrayals not often featured in mainstream television. Such topics have included gay civil rights, closeted celebrities, transgender operations, bisexual relationships and the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. It has transcended its niche categorization to become a mainstream show about women that is watched by women and men, both gay and straight, nationwide. On April 30th 1997, Ellen Morgan, played by actor/comedian Ellen DeGeneres, made television history by coming out as a lesbian on her popular sitcom, Ellen. It is virtually impossible to find a history of contemporary queer representations that does not reference this moment. For many queer individuals, it remains one of those cultural events that is referenced ad nauseum, as if they are
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