Wednesday, October 20, 2010

REVISED DRAFT


Homosexuality shall be defined by the act itself (i.e. the sexual intimacies occurring between two people of the same sex) rather than queer culture conceptualizations. It is arguable that some gay men who follow queer culture are heterosexual. It eludes the argument that men, who claim to be heterosexual but act on homosexual acts are true homosexuals. It defines the concept that living in a queer culture does not make one gay or commit homosexual acts. But rather a conformist to an illegitimate, created, society.
Queer culture is a phenomenon where gay, and straight, men define and construct their identities on what society constructs as being gay. Men who claim to live this lifestyle at large tend to emulate rigorous effeminate gender roles. Effeminate gender roles lead to assumptions and stereotypes that are socially constructed. Stereotypically gay men, could have knowledge of the fashion industry, art, cooking, and possibly even having the innate desire to be women.
A very common discernment within the queer culture concept is that men who dress well, cook, bake, or do not follow rigid gender roles are then homosexual. Therefore, men who may not enjoy sexual relations with men, yet dress fashionably or have effeminate tendencies, are considered homosexual. Due to the amount of demands that may be placed on the individual, it may cause them to come out of the closet, when in fact they are heterosexual. This can be very disadvantageous to the health of individual when living a life of lies and mass confusion.
The idea that gay men must adhere to socially constructed roles refers to their “social” identities as homosexuals, not the homosexual act itself. Therefore, adding socially constructed conceptualizations to the definition gay creates a culture. If homosexuality is a socially constructed form of mannerisms not necessarily having to do with the act itself, perhaps there is not a clear definition of what homosexuality is. Homosexual men that follow such concepts are characters rather than human beings with feelings.
Gay men who closely follow roles of the “queer” culture are puppets of falsely social constructed behaviors that often emulate an effeminate persona. Within this cultural phenomenon, there are trends where this form of life is largely celebrated with parades that adapt to current demands. The idea that parades and towns are needed to celebrate homosexuality further relates it to a lifestyle rather than a natural tendency. Not all men understand the same things such as art, cooking, baking amongst other “queer” culture concepts: such principles are learned and practiced making one a slave to a lifeless culture.

 Once gay or straight men become part of this queer culture, it is nearly impossible to separate yourself from the stereotypes whether gay or not. The character strips the ability of being able to differentiate oneself as an individual. A homosexual should not follow the socially constructed ideals, they represent the concept of playing a character based upon societal standards of what it means to be “gay.” Rather the homosexual should be an individual that enjoys sexual intimacies with the same sex. For the act it self, man with man, is homosexuality in its purest form. By definition it is not necessary to behave upon socially constructed behaviors that are said to describe homosexuality.

 Thus, in this case, it is permissible to state that “gay” men who claim they want “straight” acting men are by definition homosexuals. This concept approaches that men will combat against queer culture to simply enjoy sex as an act. This phenomenon raises the idea that queer culture was created, desired and adapted to. Having been created, there are gay men within queer culture who take the ideals to the extreme and are referred to as a gay cliché. Gay clichés are looked down upon and often disrespected within queer culture. Such affirmations are the very structures that closely resemble a formula, thus making gay men easily predictable.

In conclusion men who follow “queer” culture concepts are not necessarily homosexuals. It is evident that there is not a clear definition of homosexuality; rather, homosexuals are largely defined by a culture rather than the act itself. As such, there are fallacies within what the definition is.  Due to the concept that queer lifestyle is created is in relation with the problematic issues with gay clichés. Gay clichés must then reformulate the roles of queer culture to ensure the exemption of becoming the new gay cliché. Therefore queer culture is invented, practiced, and desired as one as to reformulate oneself. If homosexuals were defined solely by the act and not a lifestyle it will lead to less men acting gay upon falsified, societal, standards. The concept that homosexuality will be looked upon as an act can lead to the revolutionary idea that a culture was created to give an excuse or a reason for homosexuality as there is no proven cause. If there is not a cause or reason it is evident that a culture would have perhaps shaped the word into a form of life itself which has transcended into gay a thing we live by not necessarily act on.


2 comments:

  1. Great job; this is definitely a topic worthy of analysis and you contributed many interesting ideas here.

    In terms of improving it, I think your analysis would benefit greatly from an introductory paragraph before you begin defining homosexuality and queer culture. Also, the wording in many places can be revised to be more accurate and precise. For example, in the last sentence you use “transcended” when I think you mean “transformed” (?) and the italicized passage in the first paragraph: “men who claim to be heterosexual but act on homosexual acts are true homosexuals” seems imprecise and confusing because you use the word ‘act’ twice. To clarify I would recommend phrasing it as “commit homosexual acts” or “act on homosexual impulses” depending on what you are going for.

    Also, you define queer culture as a phenomenon that impacts specifically males; does it not affect people of other genders as well?

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  2. I agree with the clarifying the words within the paper as of now some phrases almost detract the paper from being a conceptual analysis as Dr. Bradley mentioned. I chose to specifically write about male homosexuality because I personally believe lesbianism is defined differently. For example if two men were to kiss that is "gay" yet if two woman kiss it is not seen in the same light. More so woman tend not to out themselves as much as gay men do or at least within my research it seems gay men are more noted within society.
    I feel it would be nice to eventually write how the two cultures differ which further proves that such queer are tailored to each sex.

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