Highly Anticipated Law & Order: SVU Episode Proves More Problematic Than Inclusive
Last night, NBC aired an episode of Law & Order: SVU which featured LGBT ally Kathy Griffin playing a lesbian activist. Many in the LGBT community were understandably excited about the episode, hoping for a fair, accurate and inclusive hour of television. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
In the episode entitled “P.C.,” Griffin plays Babs Duffy, a lesbian activist pressuring the Special Victims Unit to step up their investigation of the rape and murder of a lesbian woman, as well as ongoing threats to other local lesbians. As Detectives Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Benson (Mariska Hargitay) unravel the case, they discover a subculture of “aggressives:” lesbians with a hyper-masculinized presentation. Though the detectives initially suspect one of the “aggressives,” the murderer turns out to be a local man who simply can’t stand being surrounded by lesbians when he cannot find a woman for himself.
Kathy Griffin (l.) guest starred as a lesbian activist on Law & Order: SVU, starring Mariska Hargitay (r.)
As offensive as the unoriginal victim and man-hating lesbian stereotypes were, the episode’s true problem lay in the bait and switch it pulled on its LGBT viewers. Capitalizing on Harigtay’s large lesbian fanbase as well as Griffin’s popularity in the LGBT community, NBC released a preview clip in the days before the airing that showed Griffin’s character kissing Det. Benson. However, when the episode aired last night, Duffy only attempts to kiss Benson, who refuses her advance. As Benson exits, she tells her female colleague “if I were you, I’d stay outside,” where she would be safe from the predatory lesbian. Later when it’s revealed that Duffy has a male lover, she is forced to admit she’s bisexual at an activist rally, leading her followers to label her a traitor. In her final scenes, Babs kisses Meloni’s Det. Stabler, despite not being able to kiss Det. Benson.
Amongst crime procedurals, Law & Order: SVU typically ranks among the best in terms of LGBT-inclusive episodes, having received three previous GLAAD Media Award nominations. However, “P.C.” proved to be a tremendous missed opportunity. The storyline attempted to tackle real life issues around hate crimes against lesbians, but by discrediting the Babs Duffy character, her message was also discredited. Instead, she became just another stereotype: the confused, sex-crazed bisexual.
NBC received a failing grade in GLAAD’s Network Responsibility Index last summer for its lack of quality LGBT representation. Though the several new shows have helped the network make some progress, this episode of Law & Order: SVU marks a step backward for NBC.
GLAAD will be reaching out to NBC to express our concerns, as well as the concerns that have been voiced to us by community members. We also urge you to reach out to NBC and ask that they not insult their LGBT viewers by luring them in with the promise of an episode that ultimately proves insulting.
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Filed Under Entertainment
Tagged: Christopher Meloni, Kathy Griffin, Law & Order: SVU, Lesbian, Mariska Hargitay, NBC, Network Responsibility Index
9 Comments to “Highly Anticipated Law & Order: SVU Episode Proves More Problematic Than Inclusive”
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I’m a big fan of Kathy Griffin but I agree that it was a disappointment–and I think most people went into it with low expectations. The homophobic line from Det. Benson should have been cut, and the portrayal of the lesbian characters was one-dimensional and ridiculous (although those adjectives can usually be applied to L&O writers and to most of the stuff NBC churns out these days).
I am a male. I was very disappointed with the episode as well. NBC did a horrible job. Dick Wolf, Neal Baer, and the writers did as well.
This wasn’t a “Missed Oppotunity” as GLAAD says, this was a deliberate removal of gay content that had already been advertised. No doubt because of fear generated by one phone call or a squeamish exec. Stop treating behavior done on purpose as if it was accidental.
I’m glad I skipped this episode after what I’ve heard about it. I truly expected better of Kathy Griffin (lesbians are her ‘gays’ too) and hoped for better from Mariska Hargitay. From what I’ve read about it, I’m much more hurt than angry because lesbians have to endure not only homophobia, but sexism, as well, so when women who benefit from LGBTQ loyalty turn around and willingly take part in something that encourages more homophobia and sexism against lesbians, it feels like a betrayal.
Interesting comments so far. Just to let you know right up front, I am a lesbian and I did watch the show. I found it to be highly entertaining. As was it’s purpose. I found the characters to have ‘real’ depth and multi-faceted. I do wonder about my own community and all the negative comments, including the one who did not even watch the show. It would seem that we can not even accept ourselves, and continue the same crap that we accuse others of. When alphabet soup embraces itself, in all of our facets, I am sure we will get much farther much faster.
My partner and I love Law and Order SVU, but this episode did nothing but perpetuate negative lesbian stereotypes that lead to homophobia and hate crimes. I felt physically ill watching this episode. I am sad, but not surprised, that more people weren’t offended by this misjudgment on NBC’s part.
I couldn’t agree more with Liz. This was a joke and amateur hour by NBC and the producers. I love SVU and have watched it for years, but this was painful to watch. The script, the characters, the storyline….words cannot describe. If the producers plan to do another show like this, may I strongly suggest that they initiate a ‘bring your main gay to work’ day and let them review the script first!
Is this it? Just curious if GLAAD has been willing to do anything beyond this limp blog entry to respond. Has anyone heard any follow-up information about what “reaching out” to NBC entailed? Or what NBC said in response? I have no problem with media that shows the realities of our lives, warts and all (HBO, for example, has done an excellent job bringing us 3D LGBT characters) but this episode was completely unrecognizable fantasy based on lazy, outdated stereotypes. It was quite simply exploitative and I’m disappointed, though not too surprised, that GLAAD has fallen asleep at the switch — or in the corporate pocket. Not sure which. But the invites for the big GLAAD galas do keep coming…
This episode aired last night. I really could not believe what I was watching. Was this a total joke? Sad thing is that the straight people out there watching this also, just got another huge dose of the sterotypical bullshit that lesbians have been fighting for ages.
The man-hating lesbian Babs turns out to be bisexual and all of a sudden not man hating?
She’s in a relationship with a man and tries to kiss Benson, then Benson gives a warning about the lesbian to the hot woman rookie?
Benson pretends to be lesbian to catch the “perp” by butching up?
This at best is a really bad Saturday Night Live skit.
The whole thing was an insult.
Kathy Griffin, you are not gay, stay out of gay roles.
I am nobody’s gay, especially yours.
Shame on you, NBC
Darmuck