Queer Readings of Film and Television.

Queer Readings of Film and Television: Honey, I Shrunk the Heteronormativity! 🌈🎬📺

(Lecture Hall Ambient Noise with a Hint of RuPaul’s "Sissy That Walk")

Alright, settle down, darlings! Grab your popcorn (extra butter, please, we’re doing work here), because today we’re diving headfirst into the fabulous, fascinating, and often frustrating world of queer readings of film and television. 🏳️‍🌈 Get ready to unearth the subtext, dismantle the heteronormative gaze, and maybe, just maybe, find some representation along the way. ✨

This isn’t just about finding gay characters (though that’s a valid and important part of it). We’re talking about taking a critical lens to everything we see on screen and asking: "What else is going on here? Who is this really for? And how can we reclaim these narratives for ourselves?"

(Slide appears on screen: Image of a magnifying glass over a VHS tape of "Top Gun")

I. Queer Theory 101: Why Are We Even Doing This? 🤔

Before we start dissecting Hollywood’s history of subtext and coded language (and sometimes, bless their hearts, overt representation), let’s ground ourselves in some fundamental concepts. We’re not just looking for "gay moments," we’re actively challenging the assumptions baked into the cinematic cake.

Heteronormativity: This is the big, bad wolf we’re trying to outsmart. It’s the assumption that heterosexuality is the default, the norm, the only acceptable way to be. It’s the framework that shapes everything from romantic comedies to action blockbusters, often invisibly.
- Think: Boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl have 2.5 kids and a white picket fence. 🏡 Boring!
The Heterosexual Gaze: This is the perspective from which films are typically made – assuming a heterosexual (and often male) viewer. It dictates how characters are portrayed, how storylines are developed, and what is considered "desirable" or "interesting."
- Think: The gratuitous "sexy lamp" trope in action movies. 💡 (Google it, you won’t be disappointed/horrified).
Queer: A fluid and inclusive term encompassing a range of non-normative sexualities and gender identities. We use it as an umbrella term, acknowledging the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. 🏳️‍🌈
- Think: Anything and everything outside the heteronormative box! The more the merrier! 🎉
Representation Matters: Seeing ourselves reflected on screen is crucial for validation, visibility, and combating harmful stereotypes. But representation alone isn’t enough. It needs to be authentic and meaningful.
- Think: Not just the token gay best friend who offers sassy advice and dies tragically in the third act. We deserve better! 🙅‍♀️

(Table appears on screen, summarizing the key terms)

Term	Definition	Example
Heteronormativity	The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm and the only acceptable way to be.	Romantic comedies focusing solely on heterosexual relationships.
Heterosexual Gaze	The perspective from which films are typically made, assuming a heterosexual viewer.	Female characters often objectified for the male gaze.
Queer	A fluid and inclusive term encompassing a range of non-normative sexualities and gender identities.	A film featuring a non-binary character navigating their identity and relationships.
Representation	The presence of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines in film and television.	A TV show featuring a same-sex couple raising a family.

II. Subtext is Our Text: Reading Between the Lines 🕵️‍♀️

Okay, so we know what we’re looking for. Now, let’s get down and dirty with some examples. Hollywood has a long history of coding queer characters and relationships, often out of necessity due to censorship and societal prejudice. This created a rich tapestry of subtext that we, as queer viewers, have learned to interpret with laser-like precision.

The "Bury Your Gays" Trope: Ugh. Let’s get this one out of the way first. The frustratingly common practice of killing off queer characters, often shortly after they find happiness. This trope reinforces the idea that queer lives are inherently tragic and disposable. 💀
- Think: Lexa in The 100. (Still not over it.)
The "Sissy" Stereotype: A character, usually male, who is effeminate and often presented as comedic relief. While these characters can be endearing, they often reinforce harmful stereotypes about gay men. 💅
- Think: Though problematic, early portrayals like Franklin Pangborn’s characters in classic Hollywood comedies.
Homoerotic Subtext: The suggestion of attraction or intimacy between characters of the same sex, without explicitly stating it. This could be through lingering glances, shared moments of vulnerability, or physical closeness. 👀
- Think: Top Gun. Need I say more? (Seriously, Google "Top Gun queer reading" – it’s a whole thing.)
The "Evil Queer" Trope: Portraying LGBTQ+ characters as villains, often driven by their sexuality or gender identity. This reinforces harmful stereotypes and contributes to negative perceptions of queer people. 😈
- Think: Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. (Seriously problematic).

(Slide appears on screen: A split image. On one side, a still from "Top Gun" of Maverick and Goose. On the other, a screenshot of the Wikipedia entry for "Homoeroticism")

Case Study: Top Gun (1986)

This is a classic example of a film ripe for a queer reading. Let’s break it down:

The Hyper-Masculine Setting: The Navy fighter pilot school is a breeding ground for intense male bonding, competitiveness, and physical prowess. All that sweat and shirtless volleyball… 🥵
The Bromance: Maverick and Goose’s relationship is the emotional core of the film. Their connection transcends mere friendship; it’s a deep, intimate bond that some argue reads as romantic.
The Lack of Female Characters: While there’s a token love interest, Charlie, her presence feels almost obligatory. The real emotional weight lies in the relationships between the male pilots.

Is Top Gun intentionally queer? Probably not. But the film’s focus on male bonding, combined with the absence of strong female characters, creates a space for queer viewers to project their own desires and interpretations. It’s an example of how heteronormative stories can unintentionally provide fertile ground for queer readings.

(Emoji Break: A string of emojis representing the cast of "Top Gun": 👨‍✈️✈️😎🏐🥵🤝💔)

III. Reclaiming the Narrative: Reading for the Queer Gaze 💖

So, we’ve identified the problematic tropes and the hidden subtext. Now, let’s talk about how we can actively reclaim these narratives and read films and television for the queer gaze. This means actively looking for queer themes, characters, and interpretations, even when they’re not explicitly stated.

Queer Fanfiction and Fan Art: A powerful way to reimagine existing stories and create the representation we crave. Fanfiction allows us to explore queer relationships and storylines that are often absent from mainstream media. ✍️
Critical Analysis: Examining films and television through a queer lens, challenging heteronormative assumptions, and celebrating queer representation (when it’s done well). 🤓
Supporting Queer Creators: Actively seeking out and supporting films and television created by and starring LGBTQ+ individuals. This helps to amplify queer voices and create more authentic representation. 📣

(Slide appears on screen: A collage of images representing queer fan art, queer films, and queer television shows.)

Examples of Films and TV Shows that Offer Explicitly Queer Representation:

(Table appears on screen, showcasing examples of positive queer representation)

Title	Medium	Genre	Description
Moonlight	Film	Drama	A coming-of-age story about a young Black man grappling with his sexuality and identity in Miami.
Pose	Television	Drama	A groundbreaking series exploring the ballroom culture of 1980s and 1990s New York City, featuring a predominantly LGBTQ+ cast.
Schitt’s Creek	Television	Comedy	A heartwarming comedy featuring a pansexual character, David Rose, whose relationships are treated with respect and humor.
Love, Simon	Film	Romantic Comedy	A charming coming-of-age story about a closeted high school student navigating his first love.
Sense8	Television	Science Fiction	A complex and inclusive series featuring diverse characters from around the world who are mentally and emotionally connected, including several LGBTQ+ characters.
Our Flag Means Death	Television	Comedy	A hilarious and surprisingly heartwarming pirate comedy featuring a burgeoning romance between Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard. Deconstructed toxic masculinity and found family abound. 🏴‍☠️

(A gif of David Rose from Schitt’s Creek saying "Ew, David!" appears on screen)

IV. Beyond Representation: Towards a Queer Future for Film and Television 🚀

Representation is important, but it’s not the end goal. We need to move beyond simply seeing ourselves on screen and towards creating a truly queer cinema and television landscape. This means:

Challenging Gender Norms: Deconstructing traditional gender roles and creating characters who defy expectations.
Exploring Diverse Sexualities and Gender Identities: Moving beyond the limited representations of gay and lesbian characters and embracing the full spectrum of queer identities.
Centering Queer Stories: Telling stories that prioritize the experiences and perspectives of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Demanding Authenticity: Holding creators accountable for accurate and respectful portrayals of queer lives.

(Slide appears on screen: An image of a diverse group of people holding rainbow flags and signs that say "Queer Stories Matter.")

The Future is Queer (and Hopefully Less Tragic):

More nuanced and complex queer characters who are not defined solely by their sexuality.
Stories that explore the joys and challenges of queer life beyond coming-out narratives.
A film and television industry that is more inclusive and representative of the LGBTQ+ community behind the camera as well as in front of it.

(Emoji Break: A string of emojis celebrating queer joy and empowerment: 🏳️‍🌈💪💖🌟🥳🎉)

V. Conclusion: Keep Reading (and Keep Fighting!) ✊

Queer readings of film and television are a powerful tool for understanding how heteronormativity shapes our culture and for reclaiming narratives that have historically excluded us. By actively engaging with the media we consume, we can create a more inclusive and representative world on screen and off.

(Slide appears on screen: A final image of a rainbow flag waving proudly.)

So, go forth, my beautiful, critical thinkers! Watch movies, watch TV, and read them with a queer eye. Challenge the status quo, demand better representation, and never stop fighting for the stories we deserve.

(Lecture Hall Ambient Noise fades out with a final flourish of RuPaul’s "Sissy That Walk")

Discussion Questions for After the Lecture:

What are some of your favorite examples of queer readings of film or television?
What are some of the challenges in finding authentic queer representation in media?
How can we support queer creators and promote more inclusive storytelling?
What role does fanfiction and fan art play in queer representation?
What are your hopes for the future of queer representation in film and television?

Further Reading and Resources:

Queer Theory: An Introduction by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
Screening Sex: U.S. Pornography Between the Bookstores and the Internet by Jane Juffer
The GLAAD Media Awards
Autostraddle (online magazine)
The Advocate (online magazine)

Thank you! Now go forth and queer all the things! 🌈✨🎬📺