• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Madonna Biopic Axed Over Singer’s Script Demands & ‘Weird’ Social Media Antics: Source
  • ‘Transphobic’ Bride Slammed After Telling Groom to Pick New Best Man After His Best Friend Transitions
  • Trans TikTok Star Dylan Mulvaney Unveils Face Reveal Following Facial Feminization Surgery (PHOTOS)

Gay Iconography: Did ‘Just Jack’ Do More Harm Than Good?

Bobby Hankinson December 13, 2013

Hayesicon

The phrase "gay icon" gets tossed around a lot, but what does that really mean? Welcome to Gay Iconography, a new feature where we present a proposed iconic figure or character and then ask you to weigh in with your thoughts. This week we look at an iconic (though divisive) television performance on which even the Vice President has an opinion.

For many, Sean Hayes' Emmy-winning portrayal of Jack McFarland on Will & Grace is one of the most important gay television characters of all time. Some argue that he helped introduce gay men to a huge portion of the population, while others believe "Just Jack" reduced gay men to the usual stereotypes.

Will & Grace premiered in 1998 on NBC and immediately grabbed headlines for featuring openly-gay lead characters. The show lasted for eight seasons, with Sean Hayes' Jack (along with Megan Mullally's Karen) at the center of the show's most memorable moments. The show was nominated for 83 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 16. 

While Jack's antics may have endeared him to mainstream audiences, some in the gay community were less amused. Hayes' portrayal of Jack has been criticized for reinforcing stereotypes, particularly the image of the theater-loving, campy gay man.

Since Will & Grace, Hayes has continued to have an impact in television, on- and off-camera. Relive moments from Hayes' work on Will & Grace, as well as his recent work,
AFTER THE JUMP …

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
typorama 6 copy
 

People would not still be talking about Hayes' work as Jack if he weren't a gifted comedian. From physical comedy to the oft-quoted one-liners, Hayes stole every scene he was in. In the clip above, he turns an energetic entrance into a hyper monologue about the cute barista he's been seeing.

 

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
typorama 6 copy
 

There's a great TED Talk by novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche about "The Danger of A Single Story." In it, she says, "The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete." So, yes, there are men who could out-cheer Jack in the clip above, but, as the predominant story of gay men on television at the time, the swishy Jack versus buttoned-up Will dichotomy did little to introduce America to gay men that identified as neither (or both).

 

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
typorama 6 copy
 

On Will & Grace, it seemed like everyone knew Jack was gay but his mother. See his character's coming out in the clip above. Hayes came out publicly in 2010 via an interview in The Advocate in which he said “I feel like I’ve contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I’m open to it. You’re welcome, Advocate.” Three years later he went on to tell the L.A. Times he owed the gay community an apology for not coming out sooner.

 

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
typorama 6 copy
 

For anyone who doubts the significance of popular culture in our society, this clip of Vice President Joe Biden on Meet the Press is a must-see. Before President Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage, Vice President Biden issued his support and attributed shifting cultural attitudes to the impact of Will & Grace.

 

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
typorama 6 copy
 

Today, Hayes stars as the divorced gay father of a teenage girl in Sean Saves the World on NBC. In addition to his series, his production company, Hazy Mills Productions, is also behind Hot In Cleveland and The Soul Man on TV Land, as well as Hollywood Game Night and Grimm on NBC.

What do you think? Was it enough for Sean Hayes' work to increase visibility of gay men on television, or did his over-the-top character make it harder for gay men to defy stereotypical perceptions? Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Coming Out, Film/TV/Stream, Society, towleroad More Posts About: Gay Iconography, Gay Iconography, Sean Hayes, Sean Hayes, Television

Related Posts
  • Sean Hayes pays tribute to ‘unique talent’ Leslie Jordan
  • Chase Chrisley Posts Cryptic Message About ‘Getting Through’ Tough Situations After Todd Allegedly Paid Blackmailer
  • ‘RuPaul Drag Race’ Finale Finally Crowns a Winning Season 14 Queen
  • ‘Transphobic’ Bride Slammed After Telling Groom to Pick New Best Man After His Best Friend Transitions

    ‘Transphobic’ Bride Slammed After Telling Groom to Pick New Best Man After His Best Friend Transitions

    Published by PopCrush A “transphobic” woman was roasted on Reddit after she told the groom, whose Best Man (“now his Best Woman”) has been “medically transitioning for about a year,” to pick someone else for the …Read More »
  • Trans TikTok Star Dylan Mulvaney Unveils Face Reveal Following Facial Feminization Surgery (PHOTOS)

    Trans TikTok Star Dylan Mulvaney Unveils Face Reveal Following Facial Feminization Surgery (PHOTOS)

    Published by PopCrush Dylan Mulvaney’s face reveal is finally here — and she looks happy, glowing and gorgeous! The trans TikTok star and social media influencer unveiled the results of her facial feminization surgery Friday (Jan. …Read More »
  • Harry Styles Rips His Pants In Front Of First ‘Celebrity Crush’ Jennifer Aniston During L.A. Concert — Photos

    Harry Styles Rips His Pants In Front Of First ‘Celebrity Crush’ Jennifer Aniston During L.A. Concert — Photos

    Published by OK Magazine @louistommo_org/twitter;mega Don’t worry, Harry! Maybe Jennifer Aniston didn’t notice… Harry Styles was flushed with embarrassment when his pants split down the middle during is Thursday, January 26, concert — and to make …Read More »
  • U.S. FDA proposes to ease sexual abstinence rule for blood donors

    U.S. FDA proposes to ease sexual abstinence rule for blood donors

    Published by Reuters (Reuters) – The U.S. health regulator on Friday proposed new blood donation guidelines for men who have sex with men that are based on individual risk rather than across-the-board requirements, a move it …Read More »
Previous Post: « Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1482
Next Post: Olympic Champion Greg Louganis Calls for Protest of Russia’s Anti-gay Laws »

Primary Sidebar

Adjacent News

  • Secrets about Catholic priest’s 1966 murder unearthed by reporters in Buffalo

    Secrets about Catholic priest’s 1966 murder unearthed by reporters in Buffalo

  • Booker says he’ll keep trying to pass weed legislation even with House Republicans in charge

    Booker says he’ll keep trying to pass weed legislation even with House Republicans in charge

  • Madison Square Garden’s facial recognition blacklisting sparks outcry

    Madison Square Garden’s facial recognition blacklisting sparks outcry

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • Steamy! Miranda Lambert Shows Off Shirtless Husband Brendan McLoughlin To Celebrate Their Anniversary

    Steamy! Miranda Lambert Shows Off Shirtless Husband Brendan McLoughlin To Celebrate Their Anniversary

  • ‘Sister Wives’ Alum Leon Brown Debuts Gender-Affirming Top Surgery Seven Months After Announcing New Pronouns

    ‘Sister Wives’ Alum Leon Brown Debuts Gender-Affirming Top Surgery Seven Months After Announcing New Pronouns

  • ‘Unfollowing Now’: Rebel Wilson Faces Backlash For Attending Lavish Hotel Opening In Dubai As Critics Address Anti-LGBT Laws

    ‘Unfollowing Now’: Rebel Wilson Faces Backlash For Attending Lavish Hotel Opening In Dubai As Critics Address Anti-LGBT Laws

RSS Partner Links

  • CNN Poll: 73% Say House Republicans Don't Have The Right Priorities
  • Shakira Posts Cryptic Message After Ex Gerard Pique Goes Instagram Official with New Girlfriend
  • The Academy Is Looking Into Whether Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar Campaign Broke Any Rules
  • ABC News anchor Gio Benitez treats hubby Tommy DiDario to specially-made birthday cake
  • Trump Explodes Over Fox News Touting Poll Showing DeSantis Ahead
  • Claire Danes Reveals How Two Sons Reacted to Her Pregnancy News - Watch!
  • Jane Fonda Shares Her Thoughts on Upcoming 'Barbarella' Remake Starring Sydney Sweeney

Most Recent

  • Madonna Biopic Axed Over Singer’s Script Demands & ‘Weird’ Social Media Antics: Source

    Madonna Biopic Axed Over Singer’s Script Demands & ‘Weird’ Social Media Antics: Source

  • ‘Transphobic’ Bride Slammed After Telling Groom to Pick New Best Man After His Best Friend Transitions

    ‘Transphobic’ Bride Slammed After Telling Groom to Pick New Best Man After His Best Friend Transitions

  • Trans TikTok Star Dylan Mulvaney Unveils Face Reveal Following Facial Feminization Surgery (PHOTOS)

    Trans TikTok Star Dylan Mulvaney Unveils Face Reveal Following Facial Feminization Surgery (PHOTOS)

  • Harry Styles Rips His Pants In Front Of First ‘Celebrity Crush’ Jennifer Aniston During L.A. Concert — Photos

    Harry Styles Rips His Pants In Front Of First ‘Celebrity Crush’ Jennifer Aniston During L.A. Concert — Photos

  • U.S. FDA proposes to ease sexual abstinence rule for blood donors

    U.S. FDA proposes to ease sexual abstinence rule for blood donors

  • Beyoncé Ducks From Cameras As She Returns Home Following Backlash Over Controversial Dubai Concert

    Beyoncé Ducks From Cameras As She Returns Home Following Backlash Over Controversial Dubai Concert

  • Florida church vows to kick out members who refuse to sign ‘anti-gay pledge’

    Florida church vows to kick out members who refuse to sign ‘anti-gay pledge’

  • US set to ease AIDS-era blood donation rules for gay men

    US set to ease AIDS-era blood donation rules for gay men

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×