Louis Giannetti (1997). Understanding Movies, p.483-p.489.
“ The gay Liberation Movement drew much of its inspiration from other revolutionary groups of the 1960s, especially feminism and the Black Liberation Movement. There was a difference, however. Whereas women and people of color could not pretend to be ‘ the other,’ most homosexuals could pass for straight. They often did- and still do- because of the social prejudice against them. ” The ideology of the issue had brought in the thrive in queer cinema.
In the paragraph, it mentioned the psychology of the homosexuals, and the different theory on the issue. The researchers as Kinsey and Masters and Johnshon regarded all sexual behavior as learned, not innate. Freud thought that the sexual tendency was influenced by social conventions. Thus, everybody must learn what’s a “ normal” sexually. On the other hand, other researchers believe that homosexuality is inborn. Recent medical findings proved that the brain structure is the cause of sexual tendency. Homosexuals did not choose to be gays/ lesbians; it chooses them. As for them, their sexual tendency is natural. Some people would not tell people the truth if they were homosexuals for fear that they might be discriminated. However, still a lot of people tend to accept the fact and told the public. According to the paragraph, 10 percent of the American population is homosexual; as high as 33 percent of people have had at least one homosexual experience. Many people believe the idea because everybody has his/ her masculine and feminine sides.
Some actors and actresses told the public the truth, and much to their surprise, they were still popular and favored by people. McKellen is a leading gay activist, and also a famous actor. He once said, “ I’ve had enough of being a gay icon! Since I came out, I keep getting all these parts and my career’s taken off. I want a quiet life. I’m going back into the closet. But I can’t get back into the closet, because it’s absolutely jam-packed full of other actors.” From the speech, we knew that his career did go smoothly well, and even better after he came out of the closet; people did not treat him as a weirdo. However, the stereotype in the public still forced most actors to stay in the closet. In my opinion, homosexuals could only feel relieved and truly accept themselves when they themselves get rid of the stereotype.
3 則留言:
i was impressed by the research mentioned that the sexual behavior is learned rather than innate. Actually the social conventions really dominates the sexual tendency of people. Caring about the critics and descriminations from others, we may force to choose what other people identify with.
I agree with your opinions in the last paragraph. I think sometimes the obstacles which are hard to removed are the stereotypes we confine ourselves in. The homosexuality is not the shame only when we first accept it.
Sex may be some thing imposed upon people. People decide our sexes according to productive organs. But could we not put people into categories according to other physical features? If we do so, what the world would be like? Why a guy can not (is not allowed to) like a guy? I don't know. Just trying to figure out here.
NO matter how the sexual tendency formed, people discriminate against homosexuals by stereotype. You give a good example about an actor who admitted that he himself is a gay. However, even those homosexuals accept themselves, how can they get rid of the stereotype of the public?
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