Globalized Queerness: Identities and Commodities in Queer Popular Culture

Helton Levy's book argues that global queer culture is indebted to local queer artists, who carry references from their early experiences in life that are homogenized by contemporary media markets. This has obscured the individual struggles faced by these characters, such as immigration, homophobia, poverty, and societal exclusion. Levy argues for stronger incentives for communities to accept and acknowledge the work of queer people before and after commoditization.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Has a global queer popular culture emerged at the expense of local queer artists?

In his book, Helton Levy makes the compelling argument that global queer culture owes a significant debt to the specific and local references that artists carry with them from their early experiences in life. These references, once homogenized by contemporary media markets, lose their individual complexities. Levy challenges the notion that queer publics solely consume a global set of references, such as gay parades and rainbow flags, which erases the rich tapestry of personal experiences.

To illustrate his point, Levy revisits a range of media characters that have captured the attention of the broader public. These characters include Calamity Jane (1953), the Daffyd Thomas character from the BBC comedy Little Britain (2003-2007), Brazilian drag queen Pabblo Vittar, French singer Christine and the Queens, and the Italian-Egyptian rapper Mahmood. Through his analysis, Levy demonstrates how these characters have gradually blended into the public's perception, often obscuring the individual struggles they face, such as immigration, homophobia, poverty, and societal exclusion.

Levy also raises important questions about what happens when global media flows bring queer culture to regions where the notion of LGBTQ+ rights is not entirely acceptable. He analyzes media reports published across the world's ten biggest media markets to shed light on the conditions that artists and cultural actors negotiate once they achieve any kind of success in mainstream media. At the same time, local queer references remain unseen in the wider media world.

In light of these observations, Levy argues for stronger incentives for communities to accept and acknowledge the work of queer people before and after commoditization. He advocates for a more inclusive and diverse representation of queer culture that recognizes the contributions of local artists and their unique perspectives.

Overall, Helton Levy's book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between global queer culture and local queer artists. It challenges us to reevaluate our assumptions and recognize the importance of preserving the diversity and richness of queer experiences worldwide.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350292789