Queer Theory/Gender

Queer theory challenges

Judith Butler- apply her theories to spectatorship.

Male and female behaviour roles are not the result of biology but are constructed and reinforced by society through media and culture.

500 days of summer
men might not align with Tom because he is playing to feminine gender role. they may not align with Summer because she plays to masculine gender role.

Any behaviour or representation that disrupts culturally accepted notions of gender.

1950's- police actively enforced laws that prohibited sexual activities between men.
.  Sexually abnormal and deviant
1967- homosexuality is decriminalising in UK (2009 for India)
In parts of Africa and Asia. homosexuality is punishable by death.
.1977- WHO refers to homosexuality as a mental illness and not taken down until 1990.
.Civil partnership legal in UK in 2004.


Brokeback Mountain (2006)

Success of this hollywood film is an indication of more progressive attitudes to homosexuality.
The film challenges two quintessential traditional images of american masculinity- the cowboy and the fishing trip.
However, it can also be suggested that the homosexual relationship portrayed here is represented as tragic- a long way from the idealised heterosexual relationships in mainstream Hollywood films.
As the film is set in the 1950's, some would also argue that this suggests issues of homophobia belong in the past.

Gender trouble is evident everywhere in mainstream media.
Queer theorists suggest this is evidence of a move towards increasing tolerance of sexual diversity.

When a gay personal watches a homosexual film, it brings a much more emotionally charged element to the spectator. It is the emotion of empathy because of coming out and breaking out of the sexual norm. The gay audience have allegiance  to the empathetic character.