Queer Critique is Essential to the Study of Media and Communications - Essay Example

Introduction It is impossible today to separate the concept of gender and sexuality from cultural, linguistic, and political intersections in which they are constantly reproduced and supported. During a long period of time people seemed not to notice the interdependence of these categories and social norms: nature was the major determinant and the principal argument when talking about gender roles and sexuality. Women were supposed to be meek and shy, while men were mostly expected to be bold and decisive. However, with the appearance of queer theory in the everything has changed, it became clear that social construct can be responsible for what was always accepted as inborn. Post- structuralists, decided to interrogate those binary oppositions challenging established concepts of gender and sexuality (Harrison, 2006, 134). Though originated in the sphere of women`s studies, now queer theory deals with gay/lesbian studies and appears where the concept of “normality” arises. And where normality is established, deviation or queerness must also be defined. It is clear that the survival of any modern society is impossible without setting of strict moral and cultural rules and consequently when one chooses non-conformity he is bound to become the object of persecution (imprisonment, bullying, loss of job, disgrace). So queer critique tries to understand how such categories of queerness are shaped, which systems help to maintain their existence, which factors influence their development. And media in any its manifestation (Television, printed press, Internet) as the force influencing cultural and communication patterns in society defines the way queer are represented in mass consciousness (Marcus, 2005, 193). That is why it is extremely important to pay attention to queer critique as the evolution of the queer depiction in media (cultural, linguistic and political levels) allows tracing the development of the concept of tolerance in society (not only racial tolerance but queer tolerance) and helps to predict future global cultural changes. Firstly, in order to analyze how queer critique is related to the spheres of media and communications, it is necessary to define the key concepts of this research. Secondly, it is crucial to outline how queer theory regards its major notions: sex, gender, and sexuality. Thirdly, it is important to trace how the concept of queerness has evolved throughout years and how it has been demonstrated in media. Summarizing all this it would be possible to understand why studying of queer critique is essential for media and communication. Main Body. Queer Theory Queer theory in one perspective aims to challenge socially constructed systems which define human sexuality and peculiar gender characteristics. The word “queer” in the title of the theory defines the central object of the studies which is everything that is deviant, odd, and weird for most people. Queer theory looks at, and studies, and has a political critique of, anything that falls into normative and deviant categories, “sexual activities and identities” in particular (Klages, 2012, 4). Queer theory was to a great extent built upon Foucaults and Butlers assumptions regarding personality formation. Samuel Chambers was the first who incorporated the term “heteronormativity” into common social discourse to describe all the expectations, requirements, and ordeals which are produced as a consequence (2004, 37). Post-structuralists aimed to deny heteronormative discourse which established the opposition of the following categories: male/female, heterosexual/homosexual. Gay movements which were gradually gaining more and more power eventually became the basis for blurring of boundaries between homosexuality and heterosexuality. In the reality pictured by queer theory the notions of sexual orientation or sex itself do not exist anymore because they have become redundant (Kitzinger & Wilkins, 1994, 87). Queer critique is directed to interpreting the deconstruction of the categories with the aim of evolution of socially stable notions of gender, sexuality and normality in the whole. And one ne of the most effective ways to change the traditional binary perception of sex, gender, and sexuality is with the help of popular culture via cultural symbols, artifacts, and performances ( which can be regarded as media) (Sullivan, 2003, 81). Gender Representation in Queer Theory Social studies often perceive gender as a multifaceted characteristic: it can be a factor, a whole perspective of certain analysis. But it is most obviously a mark on a person which is manifested in social, linguistic, and cultural context. According to Foucault, queer theory aims to deconstruct the binary opposition of male/female because it is based on hierarchy as every opposition of this kind (heterosexual/homosexual) where the first category is always right and dominant because it is contrasts with the second category (Foucault, 1997, 168). After a famous quote of Simona de Beauvoir “one is not born a woman, but rather becomes, a woman” feminists directed their critique to traditional women`s subordination to men which was built upon structuralists` theories and biological determinism (Beauvoir, 2011, 115). Since then the discussions about sex as of cultural construct do not cease. It seems that it is impossible to argue with a nature which divided men and women with the help of different chromosomes: XX for female and XY for male (Lloyd, 1999, 198). Scientific proof that female and male genders are conditioned and not as opposite as it seemed came with the research data from hormones study: it was revealed that both male and female contain hormones of both sexes (Alsop et al. 2002, 30). Judith Butler gave a new impact to queer theory with her book “Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity”. Butler linked identity formation to social discourses and claimed that as long as authorities and regimes influence discourses formation the categories of sex and gender cannot be natural and essential to the full extent (Butler, 1999, 23). Moreover, the author`s ideas about identity helped to understand the heteronormative matrix: heterosexuality in her understanding cannot be naturally fixed that is why it has to be reinvented and reproduced with the help of certain discourses and actions (Butler, 1999, 185-193). Sexuality Representation in Queer Theory The connection between biological predetermination and gender was disproved to a certain extent with the help of feminist movements its connection with sexual orientation and sexuality was irrefutable. It was Michel Foucault who challenged this and proved that sexuality can also be a sexual construct. He demonstrated in his work that social and historical context in which discourses are created is constantly evolving via compromises and opposition and therefore identities created within these contexts could not be stable as well (Foucault, 1997, 168). The author claimed that discourses produce “regulatory spaces” in which identities naturally appear, are maintained and reproduced. Such discourses perform a controlling role in society in order to maintain an established concept of heteronormativity (Foucault, 1997, 169). As a result most people artificially perceive sexuality only in some kind of binary opposition: heterosexual person, which is sexually attracted to the representatives of the opposite sex, is perceived as “normal” and “acceptable”. Queer Theory basing on the assumptions that gender itself is socially construct aimed to prove that sexuality is also a choice, a fluid category. Being theorized as rather free category, gender consequently appears to be a flowing category: there is no need in the making it absolutely artificial because sexual drives are changeable and absolutely unstable (1991, 78). The Evolution of Queer Critique in Modern Media Queer media is interested in media texts as the most prominent and effective methods to trace cultural and linguistic discourse within the society. Studying closely television, printed press, and the Internet allows understanding how the perception of gender, sexuality, and sex are changing gradually, and no one can deny that the quantity of queer, non-traditional characters and the way of their depiction in media has evolved throughout the last 50 years names (Shanahan & Morgan, 1999, 94). Homosexuals became the part of media texts, however the proportion of the depiction of characters with non-traditional orientation to traditional personages from the perspective of real quantity of homosexuals to heterosexuals remains rather inaccurate. For example, the number of homosexual personages on the screen was about 0.6% which is definitely less than real percent of homosexuals in the United States. On the screen and in real life homosexuality was accompanied by prejudices and was often marked on linguistic level with derogative names (Shanahan & Morgan, 1999, p. 94). Television as the most traditional and popular media was defining the image of homosexual for a long time, however until the 1990s the depiction of people with non-traditional orientation was very limited. Gay men were depicted either as villains or as deviants in such popular TV shows as Marcus Welby, M.D. and Hawaii Five-0 (Gross, 1991, 57). Nevertheless, lesbian representation in the media was far more exquisite and attractive (Moritz, 1989). For example, the study of the best 50 US shows over the last twenty five years helped to reveal actual number of queer personage on American TV. The total number was 20 which means that almost a half of the media text employ the image of the person with no-traditional sexual orientation. Nevertheless, none of the series had a queer personage as a central figure leaving them on the secondary positions (The Simpsons, Roseanne, Friends) or granting their place only I some seasons (Survival, The Real World) or showing them only at random only (Seinfield, NYPD Blue, How I Met Your Mother). Popular teenage animation show South Park mocked homosexuality and depicted it in unattractive light (though it fitted the whole line of the show). Among 50 shows only several depicted queer characters as primary personages (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and only three seriously concentrated on the life of non-heterosexual personages (Six Feet Under, My So-Called Life). The foundation for accepting homosexuality as a part of cultural context, its important and inevitable part, was made by the TV show called Ellen and followed by praised and famous Will and Grace. Will and Grace created by NBC was probably the first TV show commonly acclaimed for depicting true and worthy relationships between male homosexuals, made the actual difference in attitude to queerness. Schiappa et al., in the article dedicated to the cultural shift influenced by this TV show said that even one media text can make big changes. Will and Grace, the TV show in which two out of four main characters are homosexuals, managed to attract a very large audience, both male and female to the screen and receive a number of awards (2007). The TV show managed to avoid typical heteronormativity depicting its homosexual characters in acceptable social roles (Will, for instance, being a gay is also a successful lawyer, a graduate of a prestigious Columbia University, a husband, and eventually a father of a son). By questioning normality rather than challenging homosexuality this TV show helped the audience get closer to the “other”. It is often considered that the majority has little chance to meet the minority (heterosexual traditional majority and homosexual minority) that is why stereotypes arise as the means to label those who are different and to save time recognizing them (Brewer & Brown, 1998, p. 576). Gay men mostly portrayed as vain, obsessed with the appearance, superficial or fitting the category “villain or victim” were depicted in this TV show as normal and capable of creating healthy relationships. What is important is that the evolution of queer depiction in media was synchronized with important political changes in regards to homosexuals. During the period when Will & Grace was shown the political debates regarding the possibility of gay marriage reached its peak with the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. Queer heroes are also gradually becoming more complex and attractive to the audience. For instance, famous HBO series “Sex and the City” could not pass by the concept of queerness and depicted gay wedding as a culmination of the six long seasons in a Sex and the City movie. Two different very charismatic characters pass a number of ordeals (as well as the principal heroine and her Mr. Big) and eventually unite their lives with Lisa Minelli singing on their wedding (Place, 2014). But the real revolution in queer media happened in recent decade when coming outs of celebrities became a common thing and media content depicting queer reached children. The spokesman of Disney which recently showed a lesbian married couple in the show for teenagers Good Luck Charlie claimed that this episode was directed on diversity, inclusiveness, and tolerance education (Busis, 2014). The recent depiction of a homosexual character, one of the most gifted mathematicians of the XXth century, Alan Turing, in the Oscar nominated “The Imitation Game” can also be regarded as a breakthrough in queer media discourse. The movie emphasizes the fact that even the most talented people of the planet can become victims of homophobia that is why it has to be eradicated as archaism. Today probably most modern series draw a portrait of at least one queer personage while some do not stop on the single person and depict a queer family. Glee, Friends, Sex and the City, Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Orange is a New Black are among the most popular shows that are slowly paving the way of homosexuality to common acceptance. So it is possible to claim that the evolution of media in depiction of queerness is obvious: modern media texts aim to deny opposition heterosexuality/homosexuality by depicting homosexuals as common citizens performing their social and personal roles. By shortening the distance and rejecting Foucault`s hierarchy media texts help to develop tolerance to people with different understanding of sexuality and different sexual drives. For media and communication studies following closely this process is essential because it is the only way to adapt to the changes in mass consciousness and predict them. And though it is too early to speak about entering the era when the boundaries between sexes and sexual variations will vanish, tolerance can be regarded as a first step on this way (Barnard, 2011, 193). The Significance of Celebrities` Coming Outs Coming outs (out of the closet) that became popular in the last few decades can be definitely regarded as another breakthrough in queer media. Coming out is usually a public recognition of one`s non-traditional sexual orientation which is rather difficult to define. It is a psychological process of confession and alleviation, a personal act of liberation (again psychological to a certain extent). It is also can be regarded as a voluntary personal revelation with intention to promote tolerance towards homosexuals (Seidman, 2003). The only possibility of such coming outs in the twenty first century prove that the society has reached its peak of LGBT community acceptance on a decent level. However, According to Butler, public revelation or coming out does not make gay people free from stigma, and the only significance it has is for them personally as a personal act of liberation. Butler claims that homosexuals inflict additional judgment and stereotypes to their personas with coming outs (1991, 84). Nevertheless, more and more influential public people choose the risk of coming outs to living in the closet which means in fear of negative public opinion. And one of the most important for queer media coming outs was performed by Ellen DeGenere, a woman included in the Forbes list of the most influential women, who made one of the most unexpected and shocking coming outs even for her own mother. Another example is a football player Micheal Sam who confessed that he could not keep his sexual orientation in secret because it distorted the perception of his personality (Place, 2014). But probably one of the most controversial coming outs of the last decade was the one of Apple`s CEO, Tim Cook, stated that he “was proud to be gay” and he could not keep it secret anymore. Since the public acknowledgment of one`s sexual orientation of one of the most respectable men in the world of IT helps to destroy the stereotypical perception of gay men enhancing the representation of queer personages and increasing their visibility (Queer Analysis). The reason why heternoramtivity is still present in our life is because homosexuals are surrounded by a number of stereotypes (gay men are obsessed with their appearance, having creative jobs, feminine while lesbians have typical manly character, dress casually, and have short haircuts). Conclusion Queer media is an essential part of social and communication studies because it pays attention to those people who are considered “other”, “queer” for the society raising awareness regarding minorities and teaching society diversity and acceptance. As the problem of women`s rights is not as acute today as it was several decades ago, queer critique directed its attention to eliminating the perception of sexual orientation in binary opposition. Studying closely how media and communication teach to accept people with non-traditional sexual orientation is essential for understanding the general tendency of cultural development of society. Media does influence the way society accepts queer directly and it is reflected on political, social, and linguistic levels. Slow and gradual introduction of queer personages into media texts (TV shows, series, movies, advertisements) allowed accepting them as a part of cultural phenomenon and paved the way to real events in queer community- coming outs. Coming outs allow society to see that gays are not different from heterosexuals and no one would ever suggest that they are queer, other, different if they did not come out of the closet. This fact also emphasizes how important queer critique is for media studies as it helps to witness the blurring of traditional binary opposition in real time and trace the processes of awareness and tolerance enhancement All these changes were synchronized with political changes when gays were allowed to get married in several countries. Queer heroes, people whose sexuality could not fit the category of normality realized that their existence is important and noticeable in society with the help of queer media manifestations mentioned in the paper. Thus, queer critique is essential for media and communication studies as it is the indicator of cultural level of society, its degree of tolerance and acceptance which can be regarded as real attributes of democracy and freedom. Bibliography Alsop, R., Fitzsimons, A., & Lennon, K. (2002) Natural Women and Men in Theorising Gender. Cambridge:Polity Press Barnard, I. (1999). Queer Race. Social Semiotics 9(2):199–21 Beauvoir, S. (2011). The Second Sex. Chicago: Vintage Edition. Brewer, M. B., & Brown, R. J. (1998). Intergroup relations. In D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & G.Lindzey (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology, 4th ed. (pp. 554-594). Boston: McGraw-Hill Butler, J. (1999). Gender Identity. Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York: Routlege Butler, J. (1991). 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