Sex, lies and politics : gay politicians in the press / Donna Smith.

Author
Smith, Donna, 1981- [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Brighton : Sussex Academic Press, 2012.
Description
vii, 239 pages ; 24 cm

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Firestone Library - Stacks PN5124.P6 S55 2012 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Summary note
    A study of how gay MP's in the UK are represented in newspapers : provides a much-needed analysis of the changing representation of gay politicians in UK newspapers. Focusing on the 1950s onwards, a time when the press became more personal and gay politicians/politicians involved in gay scandals came to the forefront of media attention, the text uses case studies and socio-political analysis to develop a frame of representation which shows how a move from intolerance to tolerance to partial recognition of homosexuality has impacted upon the acceptability of homosexuality in 'heterosexual public space', with this then affecting the representation of gay politicians in the press. What was private has now become public, pointing to the fact that gay politicians have mediated personas; their private lives, and sexualities, are lived in/presented through the media. ... Sex, Lies and Politics reveals insights about representation and the construction of identity through its focus on sexuality, politicians and the media, with the changing line between the private and public an essential concept. Sensationalism and scandal are key issues in the text, with the press coverage of politicians caught up in gay scandals, as well as gay politicians, explored. ... The representation of gay politicians in the UK press has so far been underrepresented in media and political studies. Lack of discussion is strange, considering that gay politicians have been at the forefront of the media's attention over the last fifty years.
    Notes
    A study of how gay MPs in the UK are represented in newspapers.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references and index.
    Contents
    • Introduction
    • The press, the personal and news values
    • Issues of public and private
    • Unifying key themes
    • Histories of homosexuality: definition and discrimination
    • Private lives, public consequences: representation pre-1980
    • Immoral sexuality, moralistic press coverage: representation 1980-1990
    • Histories of homosexuality: the (slow) advancement of gay equality
    • Scurrilous politicians, scandalous stories: representation 1990-1997
    • Public life, public pressures: representation post-1997.
    ISBN
    • 9781845194567 ((h/b ; : alk. paper))
    • 184519456X ((h/b ; : alk. paper))
    LCCN
    2011045358
    OCLC
    676727184
    Other standard number
    • 40021200815
    Statement on language in description
    Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...
    Other views
    Staff view

    Supplementary Information