I'm doing an essay. I don't see why my brain should be the only one to deal with this crap.
I am arguing that ambiguity is the gay man's key to survival. Definition is death. As soon as we are viewed in our totality, like Marlowe's Hero, we plummet to our demise - either as a 'typical queen' or a 'trying too hard' closet case. After a brief flirtation with the camp, I now make an effort to keep people guessing.
life´s a beach, and then you die, so f*** the world and let´s get high!
or possibly, that the gender continuum is far too varied and intricately crazy to put into words and therefore, I love swinging back and forth between "straight-acting", "queeny" and pure "gender****", because it´s wonderful, and i am all of those things and not! teehee!
lalala xxx
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Three things that mark the Good Man: Truth, Honour and Love
Definitions and labels are used at first to broadly group people but when you get to know anybody you realise how useless they really are. We are all complex people and can easily fit into seemingly contradictory categories at the same time. It is only as we actually go deeper than the surface do we really start to see how wonderful and perplexing other humans can be and that no definition or label is completely accurate.
After going to a few gay bars in london, I think that some people play on their campness, and conform to the stereotype. I dont know why, do u think some people are like that becuase they think its what society expects of them to be like
I try and be myself, although usually i'm quite shy!
I am arguing that ambiguity is the gay man's key to survival. [snip] .....I now make an effort to keep people guessing.
In one way I agree with this but in another I totally disagree. Ambiguity, for a lot of gay men, helps them survive in society. Not revealing their sexuality and not having any stereotypical traits of a gay man (or hidiing them at least) can make their lives easier.
However some gay men take the complete opposite position making themselves visibly gay, taking it to the extreme sometimes. This is as equal a defence mechanism as the previous gay man who hide's his sexuality completely. Having an animated and entertaining personality is a way for them to be accepted.
This only holds water of course if you think (or are arguing) that there is only one way to be openly gay - camp, queeny or bitchy. I don't think there is. Both hiding and overtly flaunting your sexuality by hiding/over emphasising a stereotypical quality associated with being a gay man maybe a result of societies prejudice, but IMHO reveal an insecurity about someones own sexuality. That's not a criticism of these people though.
I don't make any effort to try to hide who I am and never will. That doesn't mean I go around with a limp wrist, air-kissing and wearing clothes three sizes to small for me. Neither does it mean I butch it up. I just act like me, how I feel comfortable and if people know, cool. If they don't guess it's no achievement either.
A book that is generally about gender but has some excellent stuff in about queer theory, masculinity and agency is Gender Trouble by Judith Butler. There are also some pretty good books on queer theory in the library which would probably help you're work.
-- Edited by JohnK at 17:45, 2006-05-08
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Johnk
The only freedom that you’ll ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
Oh, John, I was wondering how long it would take the Butler woman to turn up!
For more takes on gender, I'd recommend the novels Trumpet and Passion of New Eve. They're really well written novels and will open your eyes to many issues.
John, Jackie Kay gave a reading in Leeds last week but I couldn't go. Boooo hooooooo!
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'I've discovered the secret of life. A lot of hard work, a lot of sense of humor, a lot of joy and a whole lot of tra la la.' Kay Thompson
Read Trumpet. Fabulous book. Jackie Kay is so sweet. Really glad I heard her voice. Some of her poetry makes more sense in Glasweigen. (Who knew that was possible?)
proughan wrote: Definitions and labels are used at first to broadly group people but when you get to know anybody you realise how useless they really are. We are all complex people and can easily fit into seemingly contradictory categories at the same time. It is only as we actually go deeper than the surface do we really start to see how wonderful and perplexing other humans can be and that no definition or label is completely accurate.
Just a heads up for jackie kay fans and yes I am one.
Its not too late!!! She is appearing as part of Mancs Queer up north festival doing a reading and live jazz wil be there to on tues 16th May 8pm, Matt & Phreds Jazz club £12
also
Trumpet (stage version of the novel) will be performed 23rd-27th May 8pm, Contact on Oxford Road £10/£6
I actually bumped into Jackie Kay in the School of English on the day she was doing the reading. I was like... is that really her?!?! One of the lecturers was in the same room with her, and when she (the lecturer) came out, I whispered frantically to her, pointing at the door madly: "It's Jackie Kay! It's Jackie Kay!"
You're right, John, I did write on Trumpet for my final, but paired it with Plath's The Bell Jar.
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'I've discovered the secret of life. A lot of hard work, a lot of sense of humor, a lot of joy and a whole lot of tra la la.' Kay Thompson
