17th Floor Issues with Gender

As we have discussed in class, mainstream media usually tends to portray gender in a traditional form. Men are often displayed as "manly men", and women are often portrayed as typical soccer mom-like women. However, since the 90's, it has become increasingly more acceptable to portray feminine men, masculine women, gays, lesbians, transgenders, etc. Luckily, our society is becoming more open to liberal representations in gender roles.
The members of 17th Floor all portray themselves as typical "masculine men". The ways they achieve this image is by their stage presence. These men dress "manly", have deep voices, and sing about interest in women. However, since they are a band and what we see of them is just their stage image, it is possible that the men behind their stage masks may have different views and opinions concerning gender and sexuality.
17th Floor may sing and perform songs that some might argue, "objectify women", but as we know, they are a cover band and are simply singing someone else's lyrics. I believe that they perform and act in a way that pleases the crowd. For example, I bar tend at Copper Dragon when they perform, and I have seen them ask for women to come dance on stage during songs like, Juvenile's "Back that thang up". I think that despite their initiation to do such things like that, I believe it's all just for performnace reasons. The members of the band never stereotype or single out anyone of themselves or members of their audiences based on gender or sexuality. I think they are professional enought o know that involving a serious issue like gender stereotyping in their performances is a ruiner. One example of how this can negitiviely impact a peron is an issue that rapper Eminem faced. He has continuously vocalized through his music how he feels about gay men. He caused many issues among gays and lesbians, and it hurt his career. He even went as far as to performing with the flambouyantly gay, Elton John, at an awards ceremony to help restore his image. I thik situations like this would prevent 17th Floor from doing anything similar. I believe they are much smarter than that, whether or not they even have a strong opinon about it.