ALEX VAUGHN

As the 13th Annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival kicks off this weekend, I got to thinking about gays in film.

There have been gay characters in movies for over one hundred years – the big question is, however, how fair a depiction has been offered to date?

Well, in short, not very – but that is changing. Gays have been shown either as stereotypical sissy queens, with fag hags, or bull dykes! Organizations such as GLAAD go as far to say that often in movies like Basic Instinct and Silence of the Lambs, gays and lesbians have been demonized and shown to be psychopaths. (Anyone with an ex might agree that’s fair enough!)

Much has been written, discussed and complained about regarding how gays and lesbians are portrayed in the movies. In his book The Celluloid Closet, Vito Russo analyzes the representation of gays and lesbians in Hollywood films from the 1890s to the 1980s, and demonstrates a history of homophobia. He argues that Hollywood’s portrayal of lesbians and gay men has often been cruel and homo-phobic. Gay and lesbian characters have been defined by their sexual orientation, and lacked any complex character development.

When you look back over gays in movies the slow progress of acceptance tracks closely to social evolution, not just in Hollywood, but globally. From 1890s to the 1930s, homosexuality was often presented as an object of ridicule and laughter; it is fair to say this continues today. The character of the sissy was popular at this time – a character who was a source of amusement and reassurance for the audience. The sissy was not a threatening representation of homosexuality because he occupied a middle ground between masculinity and femininity. From the 1930s to the 1950s, religious and women’s groups criticized Hollywood films for contributing to immorality. As a result, the industry introduced a self-censorship code that affected the portrayal of homosexuality. During these years, films could not feature overtly homosexual characters—so homosexuality was suggested through a character’s mannerisms and behavior, leading, of course, to reinforce the idea that all gay people were limp wristed mincers! This strict code was loosened in the 1960s and 1970s, which also saw the dawn of the women’s movement and the gay rights movement. While gays and lesbians were becoming more visible and vocal in public life, their representation in films was becoming even more homophobic. At this time, gay characters were often represented as dangerous, violent, or murderous.

Since the 1990s, Hollywood has improved its portrayal of gay and lesbian characters. The popularity of films such as The Birdcage, Philadelphia, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Flawless and In & Out demonstrates that audiences can and do enjoy films with gay and lesbian characters. But despite these advances, critics say the industry is still too cautious in its portrayals of gay themes, characters, and experiences. Hollywood films are designed to appeal to as large an audience as possible; and producers fear that focusing on gay and lesbian themes risks offending a large portion of the audience, as well as potential investors.

This means that good gay films, or more importantly films with good and well-rounded gay characters, are somewhat renegaded to the ‘underground’. Movies like the British, Beautiful Thing and It’s My Party, starring Eric Roberts, were both touching movies that had a plethora of supporting characters to create ‘real life’ gay characters. They weren’t camp, overly emotional or even fashionable – they were just people getting on with their lives.

Brokeback Mountain proved there was appeal in a mainstream gay love story. The film, though visually stunning didn’t do much for politics, but made huge steps for showing it is possible for a movie with two gay characters involved in a relationship to be an international, award winning blockbuster.

Today, there is undoubtedly more acceptance of gay lifestyles in film. In television, shows like Will and Grace opened doors to show that characters  didn’t always have to be camp or in the closet. They could be just like Will, looking for love in all the wrong places,  successful in business and socially, and not finding that special someone.

Just last week, a gay-themed film has proved an unexpected success in conservative Malaysia although Malaysian films are not allowed to depict support for gay life and homosexual intercourse remains illegal in the country, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

When you actually think about it, the movement, like many others for the  community, is on the right trajectory and we need to really think about what we would want to see in film – the chances are straight people would want to see it too!

There is no question that with the a much enlightened and open-minded youth coming to the fore, we will soon be seeing more gay movies and more importantly more gay characters who are not defined by their sexuality. This will show that a gay movie isn’t what people imagine to be an ‘arty flimsy attempt’ to disguise gay-porn, but real well-rounded characters who aren’t just like straight people, but are just like normal real gay people. Everyone has a story to tell after all.

“In a hundred years of movies, homosexuality has only rarely been depicted on the screen. When it did appear, it was there as something to laugh at—or something to pity—or even something to fear. These were fleeting images,  but they were unforgettable, and they left a lasting legacy. Hollywood, that great maker of myths, taught straight people what to think about gay people … and gay people what to think about themselves.” – Vito Russo

Alex Vaugn is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Agenda. He can be reached at editor@FloridaAgenda.com