Network: 
This image of 'American Idol' controversy-contestant Sanjaya Malakar is making it's way around the Web. It was created by an artist, Fastu; TMZ posted it, catapulting it into viral stardom.
I laughed. It's clever. But riddle me this: Is Sanjaya as Katharine McPhee just a play on his fascinatingly varied hair styles? Or is there also an element of gender-bashing and/or gay-bashing going on here?
Sanjaya's got an army of 'Idol' viewers who decry his lack of talent, and it seems to be that his sissy demeanor is what people zero in on as the best way to make fun of him.
Just wondering.
Update 3-28-07
See this week's show reviewed: No Doubt: 'Idol' Winners, Losers and Gayest Moments
Comments:
(70)Add a comment
Monday 26 March
By Stephen
Well, hello. Must admit, when I saw this photo I sent it to 67 close friends (and 13 not-so close) and chuckled and chuckled and then... remembered what I was like at 17 and suddenly felt a deep, deep regret. Poor guy. Imagine being a national joke, a symbol for inferiority and embarrassment. Soon he will be a verb -- like, "Omigod, John totally Sanjaya'd Hopelessly Devoted To You at karaoke last weekend..." Is this gay/gender bashing? Nah, it's kid/people bashing.
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Monday 26 March
By Richard
I'm confused. Isn't that Jennifer Beals from "Flashdance"?
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Monday 26 March
By Michael
Mangina! Mangina! Mangina!
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Monday 26 March
By - john
Good Question! There's not really a yes or no answer since each individual has different motives/intentions. I guess we could trace the intentions back to the artist that created the pic. My gut feeling is that in most cases like this, heterosexism and sexism do play a role.
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Tuesday 27 March
By Ashley C.
Gay-bashing, and gender-bashing is not what it looked like to me. When I first saw the picture I saw someone not afraid to hide himself, which as I figure is what the contestants have to do to become " The American Idol. ". I see an embrace of a subculture which would not typicaly be something you see as normal. I instantly liked the photo, to be honest... and I am considering making it my background.
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Tuesday 27 March
By cindy
Lets not forget that this is a very young man with feelings and still probably trying to find himself. It is a shame that people are making fun of him. I am sure he never thought his trying out for American Idol would of lead him down this path. His inocent big smile will soon be fading away.
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Tuesday 27 March
By Kobe
Oh! but Is it the think that you know earlier??
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Tuesday 27 March
By Mrs. Flowers
LOOK KIDS, WHO KNOWS, THIS KID MAY HAVE ONE OF THOSE HUMOROUS TYPES OF LIFESTYLES TO JUST MOCK PEOPLE FOR LAUGHS. AS ONCE MENTIONED, HE HAS BEEN BASHED ALOT. SO DOING WHATEVER HE CAN FOR A PICKERUPPER CANT BE RULED OUT HERE. EVEN IF THIS ACTUALLY DOES LOOK GAY, IN WHICH IT DOES, HE MAY HAVE HDID SOMETHING FUNNY TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH.
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Tuesday 27 March
By chris tuttle
Great question Kenneth! I'm glad you asked too! While I don't have the answer, it's good for us to talk about these things... I think we too often buy into the "put downs" we see in society, not realizing how we're reinforcing a type of oppression that hurts us all.
So what's the point of this CD fake cover... to suggest that Sanjaya "looks like a girl?" If so, such an action reinforces the notion of what a girl, and therefore a boy for that matter, are "supposed" to look like.
But, as I think is often the case, this cover art says nothing bad about Sanjaya, or about females, or about anything. What is said is, I think, in the mind of the observer and what they see in it--not in the art itself.
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Tuesday 27 March
By ucanhavmycake
my idol here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=q2TnDX6z-5E
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Wednesday 28 March
By Katie
This is awesome! I found a SNL clip of them making fun of hist last performance. He really is just bad! He needs to go. PERIOD! The judges just laugh at him now. I think the best part of it is that he thinks he's actually good... If he knew he was bad, I'd feel bad, but he just flat out sucks!
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Wednesday 28 March
By Ricky
People shouldn't be making fun of someone who has achieved something & who's dreams of achieving some more...
Whoever speaks against Sanjaya should first think what they've achieved in life!! It's easy to make fun of others, but hard to get something out of this life...
Gender doesn't matter, what really matters is what have you achieved & how much you've struggled in life to achieve that...
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Wednesday 28 March
By Gina
I don't think the photo is gay-bashing, I just think it's a comment on his hair-do choices in the last few weeks.
But nontheless, I can imagine that this is very hard for him to handle. I think that people in general feel that because someone has put themselves out there, that they are fair game, without thinking about what thier actions may be doing to the individual. And the anonymity of the internet allows people to be especially cruel. Bottom line is, it takes alot of courage to be vunerable on national television every week, and try to do your personal best. How many of us can say we'd do that?
Meanwhile,if you don't like his singing, don't vote for him. Let's try not to destroy whats left of this kids self esteem and individuality.
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Wednesday 28 March
By Tiffany
I think this is a travesty on our nation and how citizens relate to one another. This kid puts himself out there, tries his hardest at a talent which may/may not be his best, and what does America do? Try to embarrass the hell out of him. Sanjaya is a kid. You who are picking on him, how old are you? Old enough to be his parents is my bet. How sad. Does it make you feel better to put someone down who could be your son, your nephew, your brother, your friend? This is pure bullying, and I think it is a pathetic excuse for art, and those bashing him, are a pathetic excuse for a human being. Have a heart. I bet you wouldnt say half of this crap if he was standing right in front of you. And to those that would, how terrible are you?! Leave the poor kid alone...hes only seventeen!
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Wednesday 28 March
By Marilyn
Listen, it's all in fun and as "they" say, "There's no such thing as bad publicity." This will only further his career in whatever!
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Wednesday 28 March
By jestme123
The issue here is not this picture of Sanjaya. The issue is Howard Stern has his audience calling in and voting for the WORST performer to make sure the show isn't rigged. The evil thing is, he's getting GOOD people kicked out and letting the worst one stay. Shame on Howard Stern for denying those who deserve fame and fortune for those who don't.
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Wednesday 28 March
By Dasma
LOOK I AM A MAN OF GOD AND I DO KNOW THAT HOMOSEXUALS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO GOD. SO IF HE IS GAY THEN THIS IS UP TO GOD TO CHASTEN...NOT USE. GOD LOOKS AT SIN AS SIN. THERE ISNT A SIN THATS GREATER THAN THEE OTHER. SO HOW MANY OF YOU ARE LIVING IN SIN? ALL WE CAN DO IS CONDUCT OURSELVES AS CHRISTIANS, IF YOU ARE..ANDIF YOUR NOT YOU WILL FACE HELL HEAD ON. SING YOUR HEART OUT SANJAYA!!!!!GOD BLESS
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Wednesday 28 March
By Aaron
I think Sanjaya represents a lot of people out there - people who don't fit society's rigid gender-norms. He is a wonderful icon for those who present as 'the other' and I feel he should be celebrated. Why does society pick on, tear down, and hate anything that is different? Why do people always fear the unknown? This is the 21st century people, and there are a lot crazier out there than this guy. But I do have to say, "You go, Sanjaya!" And to anyone who has a problem with him... well, you are sad, truly sad indeed.
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Wednesday 28 March
By Aaron
I think Sanjaya represents a lot of people out there - people who don't fit society's rigid gender-norms. He is a wonderful icon for those who present as 'the other' and I feel he should be celebrated. Why does society pick on, tear down, and hate anything that is different? Why do people always fear the unknown? This is the 21st century people, and there are a lot crazier out there than this guy. But I do have to say, "You go, Sanjaya!" And to anyone who has a problem with him... well, you are sad, truly sad indeed.
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Wednesday 28 March
By elisa
sanjaya sucked last night
please vote him off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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