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Research Paper
Movie Review
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Homosexuality in films has been present
almost as long as films themselves. From the start suggestions of
homosexuality existed in the most primitive forms. Thomas Edison's sound
test, often referred to as The Gay Brothers,
allows the idea in film making that members of the same gender can engage in
activities often seen as taboo and for the purpose of opposite gender
interaction. From that time forward films began to immerge with underlying
homosexual content. At first it was used for comic relief, with the
introduction of the stock character, "The Sissy." As movie ratings tightened
from religious movements, the ability to show homosexuality became harder to
do. The comic character morphed into villains and tragedy stricken
individuals who ended up dead in the end (History 1-6).
Finally in the seventies homosexual
films made a breakthrough in society, and a new form of plot arose; Drama.
Boys in the Band (1970)
directed by William Friedkin lead to the beginning of a new idea of
homosexuals on stage. No longer was the gay character oppressed as a villain
or made fun of as a sissy, but made to look at in a more serious and
respected manner; that of a human being. This lead to a liberation of films
that focused on the same dramatic aspects of heterosexual individuals, but
dealt with the aspects of being gay or lesbian (History 7-8).
Daniel Spencer is a junior at the
University of Houston. He plans to receive his bachelor's degree in business
and a master's in health care administration. He is a current member of G.L.O.B.A.L., the GLBTQ group on campus. |
