The Course: The History of Homosexuality in Film
Course Description: An overview of the representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender identities in the cinema, from the silent era to the present. Using the Celluloid Closet as a main text, students will begin by exploring homosexual subtexts in classic Hollywood films and the history/politics attached to these earl “queer” images. As the class progresses, students will turn their attention to films made for and by LGBT communities, in tandem with prominent queer film theories and critiques. Hollywood coding, the sissy, the queer monster, “lesbian” supporting actresses, and camp are among the topics that will be discussed in this course —all with the objective of giving voice to the “love that dare not speak its name.” Students will also be introduced to various film forms, from mainstream (Hollywood) narrative cinema and (International) art-cinema to documentary and underground cinema, and will explore the ways in which these diverse film forms have constructed and articulated queer desires and identities – let the fun begin!!
Now, you can tell that it is going to be fun because the final words of the course description says, “let the fun begin!!” and includes not one but TWO exclamation points. If two exclamation points don’t just scream excitement, I don’t know what does.
After just one night, I know that there will be more drama in the classroom than there will be during the presentation! Let me introduce the major cast members. This is not a comprehensive list since the minor characters have not established themselves and will be introduced throughout the course as necessary.
Artsy Instructor—This is a primarily gay audience, so it makes sense to have a “GAY” instructor, but a gay and artsy together, some would say a dream come true!! How do I know he’s artsy you ask? Well, first he’s thin as a rail (can’t afford to eat or spends his cash or art supplies and such), then he is sporting the dark glasses and has sculpted facial topiary, a t-shirt with a vintage tie and waves his hands in nervous gestures. At times, when he wants to pass over the baby dyke, he whispers, “Anyone else … anyone else have an answer?” Projected Antagonist: Hostile Baby-Dyke
Angry Baby Dyke—She also needs to eat and has that “I haven’t washed in protest of the war” look to her. Her unkempt hair is low-budget Ellen and her hip huggers and safety pins scream intellectual. Knows her stuff and speaks freely. She has a Bush, President Bush, mentality, which means her opinion is the RIGHT opinion. Grew up in San Francisco, so her LGBT… Gay card is official. Project Antagonist: The class
Oxygen Man—One of our dear octogenarians (wheeze wheeze) and a possible smoker!! He arrived in classic Sound of Music shorts with suspenders that hiked up everything (you know what I mean) inappropriately. During the introduction, he made a … phone call, “Hello? Hello!! I think I left my … what? Outside? oh, (wheeze wheeze) okay. Enjoys life in general, though I’m not sure if he knows where he is … he’s got potential for bringing the unexpected to class. Projected Antagonist: The Artsy Instructor
Screened: The Celluloid Closet
Next Week: The Sissy. Screening: The Kid Brother (Howe and Wild, 1927) Required Reading: Celluloid Closet (C.C.) pp. 4—18.
