Thesis:
I argue that having a sub cultural group will surely not solve the dilemma that W3 proposed which is the idea of the two words 'gay' and 'homosexual' not being separated. Rather, I argue white males who choose not to be a part of the sgay male culture, will still be seen as gay whether they are or not. I understand that W4 argued that historians have offered biased information, in reference to white gay males, that has possibly shaped gay male culture into what it is today: which according to W1 are conformists to an illegitimate society. Rather, I argue that W4, and the Western culture, are not giving the gay men permission to follow the gay male roles; however, this seems to be the only possible solution. It is evident that even though there has been an offered sub cultural group one will still be seen as gay. Thus, society will still view a gay male as being gay, and will not make an effort to differentiate the two words 'gay' and 'homosexual,' this then places the issue back to its original roots: which, again is the dilemma of one is not able to identify as 'gay' or 'homosexual'
I argue that one must further study how white gay males have influenced gay culture. Thus, I am arguing that it is not possible to separate the words. If one chooses to come out and express their sexuality in the Western culture, they will be seen as gay. Therefore, until gay men stop fighting the stereotypes with heterosexual women, gay men will still be seen as being effeminate: following the gay literature, which is heavily influenced by white gay males. I will offer evidence from gay literature and media that exploits my concept that gay, white, males are often fighting the stereotypes with heterosexual woman in the Western culture. Thus, I will argue that the solution that W4 offered, will not work and simply is only patching the identity crisis.
Sounds intriguing, I look forward to reading your final paper. Maybe your analysis could also benefit from a contemporary cross-cultural comparison? It would be interesting to see how American/Western gay male culture is different from the gay male cultures of other places (if similar sub-cultures do in fact exist).
ReplyDeleteMy view is that the issue of gay identity and the need for a stereotypical gay culture or sgay is a consequence of our postmodern society wherein many aspects of our identity are seen as exploitable by the culture industry.
The sgay sub-culture fuels the capitalistic culture industry because, as you point out, there are now self-help books basically on "how to be 'gay'" (if there wasn't a sgay culture to conform to, there wouldn't be a market for these books!), and the gender identity war between gay males and heterosexual women is largely fought using weapons our culture industry is eager to supply to them (for a fee). Gay men and heterosexual women purchase more and more products and services in order to "one-up" each other in the battle over gender stereotypes. For the culture industry, this is a win-win.
Even resistance to the sgay stereotype is somewhat expected by the culture industry, and they in turn can find ways to profit off of it. Aren't some of the gay self-help books about avoiding gay cliches? I think you are right in saying that it is very difficult for gay men to resist sgay culture. Or culture, period. What is the alternative to this then?
Ah! yes, this is honestly exactly what I mention in my final paper which shall be posted tonight! I argue that one must gay back to its original roots... and study gay around the globe, and often its hard for the gay male tpo resist when it is the only means of being accepted within the community! =)
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