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March 1998, Week 1

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Subject:
From:
Scott Hutchins <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 5 Mar 1998 19:40:01 -0500
Content-Type:
TEXT/PLAIN
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TEXT/PLAIN (57 lines)
The Chandler thing is probably a good reflection of how some people are
treated.  I used to work with guys who claimed that I am gay because I
don't like football and don't have a girlfriend.  The football connection
makes no sense, other than as a stereotype.  I have gay friends who do
like football.  The other is just something that can't be helped, as all
my girl friends have boyfriends.  I know of few programs of films in which
a straight character is harassed with claims of homosexaulity and
homosexual epithets, unless only a minor part of his/her harrassment.
 
Scott
 
 
On Wed, 4 Mar 1998, Kathleen Fitzpatrick wrote:
 
> At 7:25 PM -0500 3/3/98, Helen Kay wrote:
>
> >Yesterday I discussed this topic with a colleague, who drew my attention
> >to characters like Joey in *Friends*--according to his description, Joey
> >does not identify as a gay man, but the other characters have been trying
> >to persuade him to come out. He mentioned a similar situation on another
> >show--posssibly *Veronica's Closet* (which has only recently started
> >screening here).
>
> This is an interesting phenomenon.  I think it's Chandler on "Friends" that
> you're thinking of (watch me reveal how much time I *really* spend watching
> television!), and the implication is less that he *is* gay than that
> everyone thinks he gives off a "gay vibe," which makes him periodically
> question his masculinity.  Though this is a far cry from
> gayness-as-insanity, it nonetheless keys masculinity to a readable
> heterosexuality in still-disturbing ways.
>
> The joke is carried a bit further on "Veronica's Closet," where everyone is
> actually convinced that Veronica's assistant is gay, but that he just
> doesn't know it yet.  This is far deeper than a "vibe," apparently, as the
> joke usually revolves around the character being a gourmet cook, or being
> somehow "sensitive," or not ogling the lingerie models.
>
> Oh -- and the lesbian wedding was on "Friends."
>
> Kathleen
>
> *********************
> Kathleen Fitzpatrick
> Department of English
> New York University
> [log in to unmask]
> *********************
>
> ----
> Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the
> University of Alabama.
>
 
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