Modern Family, The L Word and telling our stories Article Summary

The article, "Modern Family, The L Word and telling our stories Article Summary" discusses different aspects of ABC's hit television comedy, Modern Family. The article focuses on an episode that revolves around diversity. The two gay dads featured on this television series, Cameron and Mitchell, fight to get their Asian adopted daughter, Lily, into a competitive school system. The article mentions how Cameron and Mitchell become "out-diversified" by a lesbian couple who show up with their African-American adopted daughter. The article then leads into how very few television shows depict LGBT families as they are in reality. The media portrays a common story-line and matching stereotypes.

Another interesting aspect of this article is how LGBT characters are commonly upper-white middle class people. Along with these characters come prestigious nursery schools to fulfill the plot-line. In reality, 72% of same sex couples identity as white, and for those with children, only 59% identify as white. The fact that the network and media portrays LGBT families in this way limits viewers perceptions. Geography, race/ ethnicity, age, and economics are factors as well.

As a culture, we must change this. The author, Dana Rudolph. mentions the different insights from children and parents within the LGBT community. It is vital that people listen to the different perspectives on both ends of the LGBT community rather than what the media produces. There is a plethora of resources out there that give a better understanding and are unbiased. Rudolph lists these resources in the Resource Directory of her Mombian site. Overall, this article illuminates how shows like Modern family can hold stereotypes. We must not limit our lens to the media. Instead, we must take the resources we are given and open our eyes to the real LGBT community.