Hayes slams media representation of gays

Warning: This article contains language and/or sexual references that younger readers are advised to avoid.

Darren Hayes has blasted the mainstream media for "dumbing down" being gay.

The former Savage Garden singer, who married partner Richard Cullen three years ago, insisted that too much emphasis is placed on sexual stereotypes.

"I have a whole issue about mainstream pop and certainly television culture, and how damaging that is in terms of dumbing down being gay," he told Gay Times.

"All those clichés about being gay I think are really limiting whereas in reality it's just a trait, it's like eye colour or hair colour, it's a physical trait.

"Being gay is somehow an indulgent choice? It infuriates me. You're either Graham Norton or George Michael getting arrested in parks and I'm neither of those things."

The star singled out US sitcom Will And Grace as an example of misrepresenting the gay community.

"I think it appeals to the lowest common denominator that basically there are two types of gay men, the slut, or there's the straight acting guy," he said.

"Neither of these things have anything to do with penises, or cocks in mouths or any of the things that are related to being gay."

Hayes rose to fame in Australian duo Savage Garden and has since gone on to release three solo albums.