The Commercial Closet

5 p.m. Saturday, July 10 , 1999, Caravan of Dreams theater

Journalist Michael Wilke, president of the New York chapter of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association and a former reporter for Advertising Age, offers insight into Madison Avenue's depiction of gays and lesbians in this fascinating multi-media presentation.

Whether it is as comic relief, as the target of political sloganeering or purely for shock value, the appearance of gays and lesbians has become a common occurence in television advertising.

Taking a cue from its motion picture counterpart, The Celluloid Closet, Wilke's "talk-umentary" examines almost 100 different advertisers including rarely seen spots by Ikea, Holiday Inn and Guiness. It touches on stereotyping to neutral, inclusive and even flattering imagery. Also included are "gay vague" ads, HIV/AIDS and political spots and, of course, a plethora of drag advertisements. Rated PG-13. USA, 1997, 90 min., video, color.

Producer/presenter: Michael Wilke

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