#qs304

Week 9: Gender Benders

Inclusive representation in media is so vital, but so extremely difficult to get right; here is a perfect example. This person, who queers gender, is able to identify with a person similar to them for the first time. That is, until an offensive stereotype is displayed. 

I never saw myself in anyone anywhere at all until Lea Delaria played Big Boo on orange is the new black and it still somehow managed to be a lowkey predatory portrayal (which as a lesbian is about the worst thing one can imagine being)

— mgn (@wootmygoldfish)

All from Zoolander 2

The above screenshot shows Benedict Cumberbatch portraying a non-binary model named All. First of all, the name All is pure mockery. Simply because one does not adhere to a binary one is now EVERYTHING? No. Wrong. In fact, in the film, the character is even asked if they have a “Hot dog or a bun.” If you need me to explain it to you, All is being asked if they have a dick or a vagina. 

It makes sense that with increased visibility comes increased mockery. After all, if equality is truly equality, then everyone is at risk of being made fun of. However, I think there should be some “cooling off” type period wherein we get to discuss historical taboos. In Queer Theories, Donald E. Hall writes, “Indeed, ‘naming’ something -- even in prohibitive fashion -- does carry with it the possibility of identification ‘with’ as well as ‘against’” (28). 

While giving power to the non-binary and transgender movements has allowed for individuals identifying within those communities to be supermodels, etc., false notions of what it means to belong to such a group (such as that in Zoolander 2) that can do damage to the group and to the movement.

Week 14 is all about shitty representation*: whether it’s fake, plays too much into a trope, or is just plain wrong isn’t of too much importance today. What matters most with this classification is that we see harm being done to the community or misconceptions being perpetuated. 

For the first post of the week let’s talk about a dangerous trope: The GBF

Will & Grace is typically lauded as a trailblazer in queer representation in mass media, and it did pave the way for queer love stories on primetime American television. However, as does come with the territory, the show contains some tropes, namely the (relatively) sex-less gay best friend, whose main job seems to be delivering pep talks to his hetero- female best friend regarding sex, love, marriage, and anything else that takes the attention off of his personal life. He is there to be a punchline (whether it be as the comedian or as the butt of the joke) and that’s pretty much it. Think of Will & Grace without Jack. Funny? No. Does the show still go on? Absolutely. Jack is extremely effeminate, and as can be seen from this ethnographic evidence, not all gays are with it. 

When responding to the question of: “what bothers you the most about LGBT representation in TV/Film?

Even though the inclusion may be a step in the right direction, it can be damaging, especially to queer youth who may otherwise identify with the character (bar the negative/stereotypical traits). In “Redefining Realities through Self-Representational Performance,” author Jama Shelton writes, “An affirmative sense of identity is one in which a person feels safe, nurtured, and recognized: ‘It is very difficult to grow up with a positive self-image when one’s identity carries a stigma. People who are unable to conform to the standards society calls normal are disqualified from full acceptance” (72). 

This unfortunate trope has been included in more than just W&G but nearly any contemporary show that contains a gay, male character. Here’s an ethnographic definition.

Here are some more examples of the gay dude who’s just there (mainly) to be a support to the cis, hetero woman who cannot seem to keep a man. Get it together, sis. 

Kurt on Glee

Though not a screenshot from Glee, (this one’s from RuPaul’s Drag Race), this GIF shows Chris Colfer, who portrayed Kurt Hummel on Ryan Murphy’s smash-hit Glee. While Glee, just like Will & Grace, did break many barriers, it did so with stereotypes, and Kurt as a GBF could be seen as one of these tropes.

George in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

I still consider this work contemporary (for me) because I can remember actually sneaking watching this film when my mom purchased it on VHS.

Most notable for the most memorable moment of the film (another ode to the GBF), George is Julianne’s (Julia’s) gay best friend who advises her all about the trappings of her straight best friend getting married to a much younger woman. Helpful? Eh. We did get the gay-led version of “I Say a Little Prayer” though, so there’s that.