Straight Skin, Gay Masks and Pretending to be Gay on Screen

Straight Skin, Gay Masks and Pretending to Be Gay on Screen explores cinematic depictions of pretending-to-be-gay, highlighting performances that reflect heteronormative and homophobic attitudes while also offering nuanced representations of gay selfhood. It examines queer uses of sexuality masquerade in Alternate Gay World Cinema to expose the tragic consequences of sexual intolerance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Straight Skin, Gay Masks, and Pretending to Be Gay on Screen delves into the intricate portrayal of characters who engage in pretending-to-be-gay in cinematic narratives. Through a comprehensive analysis of performances, the book explores the multifaceted representations of gay selfhood, offering nuanced and multidirectional identifications that challenge heteronormative and explicitly homophobic attitudes. The case of straight protagonists pretending to be gay on screen provides a unique setting for examining unexpected progressivity and dissidence in the cultural construction of human sexualities amidst the theatricalized collapse of epistemological frameworks. By teasing apart the dynamics of depictions of both sexual stability and fluidity in cinematic images of men pretending to be gay, the book offers valuable insights into pressing issues such as sexual vulnerability, dynamics, and long-term queer visibility in a politically complex mass culture predominantly shaped by heteronormative and even hostile cultural norms.

Furthermore, this book takes a pioneering approach by initially examining queer uses of sexuality masquerade in Alternate Gay World Cinema. This allegorical realm features a world where straights are harassed and persecuted, serving as a powerful platform to expose the tragic consequences of sexual intolerance. Films and TV series analyzed within the framework include renowned works such as The Gay Deceivers, Victor/Victoria, Happy Texas, William Friedkin's Cruising, and numerous other straight and gay screens. This study is of utmost relevance to students and researchers in the fields of Film Studies, Media Studies, Gender Studies, Queer Studies, Sexuality Studies, Communication Studies, and Cultural Studies.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032336220