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Columns : Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


I Want My Gay TV
By Joye Ritchie-Greene
Sep 24, 2007 - 12:51:44 PM

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This past week one of the local radio talk shows entertained questions from the listening public about how they felt with regards to a television channel that catered to homosexuals. While I did not have the opportunity to listen to this discussion, listeners told me about it and expressed their utter dismay and disgust at the thought of a channel on cable television for homosexuals.

One listener in particular suggested that I write about this in my column because she did not think it was something that should ever happen in this country. So since I did not listen to this particular discussion that was aired last week, and neither could I get my hands on a transcript, I decided to investigate this whole notion of television channels created specifically for a homosexual audience.

Surfing on the World Wide Web, a most useful tool for retrieving information instantaneously, I discovered that “gay TV” has been available on the internet and satellite for several years. Italy and France have had “gay TV’ available via satellite, DSL and cable providers since 2004.

While “gay TV” is not a new phenomenon, it is now a new element in the discussion of homosexuality in The Bahamas. This, homosexuality that is, is one of those topics that usually keeps the phone lines at talk shows lit up for the duration of the show.

There is a section of the population who maintains that homosexuality is wrong and goes against their beliefs. They further contend that such a television station should not exist in this country because it might suggest that the majority of people condone this lifestyle.

According to the Rainbow Alliance of The Bahamas’ Website, they estimate that as of 2007 5% of Bahamians are exclusively gay while 29% are bi-sexual or on the down low, which means only 66% of the population is heterosexual. While the Website cites this information as “fact” there is no evidence to substantiate this information.

But what is it that the public fear? What do they think they would be exposed to on “gay” TV that they are not already seeing? On any given day you will come across programmes with sexual content, violence and obscene language.

Many parents have told me that they do not even allow their children to watch the Cartoon Network. After viewing a few of its programmes myself, I now understand why parents have banned this channel. And, I suppose homosexuals would argue that one need not watch the gay channel if it was provided for their viewing pleasure.

A part of me really wishes that there was gay TV. I wish that there was a channel that was devoted to nothing but promoting happy thoughts. A real gay channel that provided entertainment that uplifted the spirit and broadened one’s mind without tainted or distorted points of view.

I want my gay TV could be the new mantra of the day. Such a channel could incite love and peace rather than lust and violence. A gay channel would open up minds and warm up the coldest hearts to see all the beauty of creation.

I don’t know when the homosexuals claimed this word as their own to be abused and misused, but I want it back. A real gay TV channel need not be relegated to satellites, cable and DSL subscribers like the ones in Europe, Asia and North America. Give me gay TV and I will give you a new Bahamas, a new world.

About the author: Joye Ritchie-Greene is an Educational Consultant, Writer and Martial Arts Instructor. She is the owner/operator of The Bahamas Martial Arts Academy; president of Time-Out Productions; and is also a columnist for the Freeport News. She has a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Human Resources, resides in Freeport, Grand Bahama with her husband and enjoys playing tennis. Joye can be reached at joye_hel_ena@hotmail.com  


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