queerness: heroes in the closet
Today's post will be on "Batman, Deviance and Camp" by Andy Medhurst, "1954: Censorship and Queer Readings" by Will Brooker, "Draped Crusadors: Disrobing Gender in The Mask of Zorro" by Catherine Williamson, and "Secret Skin' by Michael Chabon.
Yes, yes, YES! These readings were incredible to me. I can't even emphasize it enough. The fact that these texts highlight gay undertones, that are actually kind of explicit, make me really happy. I have always wondered about heterosexuality vs. homosexuality within comic books and how it seemingly went so unnoticed. Hypermasculine vs. feminine are not definitions of sexuality, but what we actually envision that gender should act like.
The idea of Batman and Robin being gay was something I had thought of, but the fraternal instincts of both render me only curious and not conclusive. However, the fact that two men living together with nice flowers, sitting next to each other, etc. can be seen as a reflection of, in my opinion, social ignorance toward sexuality in general. This idea is brought up in the Zorro article by Williamson and the 'don't ask, don't tell' situation in the military; whenever someone is not hypermasculine--the buff, strong, strong toned voice, and sports-playing-- they can be accused of being homosexual. Just because Batman has flowers with Robin does not mean he is homosexual, nor does it mean he is not . However, the topic renders people confused and uncomfortable with the fact that two men can be with each other and not be gay, leading them to say 'oh, but they had girlfriends' to justify such behaviors. Such conversations about their costumes being revealing and hugging can spark a sort of 'meninist' topic, not only about homosexuality or homoeroticism, but about how all men who are seen as 'hero-worthy' must have the hypermasculine body and appearance.
The concept of the secret identity with superheroes being a metaphor for the closet blew my mind, because it totally makes sense! Society still shuns homosexuality and labels them as 'dandy' and uncapable, although it is the social act of being gay and not necessarily the sexual acts that spark the roar. If one does it behind closed doors, in the closet, it is much more okay. They can join the military, maintain the hypermasculine, straight-man identity that is the ideal 'hero', but can still be their homosexual selves in the sheets. The same with super heroes, but reversed; their regular identity is hyperaverage, picking flowers and being 'dandy' as a way to ward off any suspicion that they are exactly the polar opposite. Williamson was right in my opinion in pointing out this binary, the idea of heterosexuality and hypermasculinity being one, and that this form of 'drag' is actually a way to highlight the difference between the two binaries and utilize them to their own advantage and to let out a part of them they keep in themselves.
I am very passionate about this topic because the closeted culture in society leads people to psychological issues and suicide. The way heroes depict this duality is like a split-personality disorder of sorts, and can be seen in many closeted homosexuals that are brainwashed to reinforce these ideals. Certain people refuse to come out of the closet because they have to keep this secret, as if there were super villains outside who will kill their family if their identity gets revealed. However, many of them are in religious households that very well might do some terrible things, kicking them out being a common one, if their child revealed their identity. Therefore, they must put on a mask and carry a sword to penetrate their victims, and be home by a certain time and put on a hypermasculine role when they arrive.
Because god forbid anyone find out their true identity.
File
Yes, yes, YES! These readings were incredible to me. I can't even emphasize it enough. The fact that these texts highlight gay undertones, that are actually kind of explicit, make me really happy. I have always wondered about heterosexuality vs. homosexuality within comic books and how it seemingly went so unnoticed. Hypermasculine vs. feminine are not definitions of sexuality, but what we actually envision that gender should act like.
The idea of Batman and Robin being gay was something I had thought of, but the fraternal instincts of both render me only curious and not conclusive. However, the fact that two men living together with nice flowers, sitting next to each other, etc. can be seen as a reflection of, in my opinion, social ignorance toward sexuality in general. This idea is brought up in the Zorro article by Williamson and the 'don't ask, don't tell' situation in the military; whenever someone is not hypermasculine--the buff, strong, strong toned voice, and sports-playing-- they can be accused of being homosexual. Just because Batman has flowers with Robin does not mean he is homosexual, nor does it mean he is not . However, the topic renders people confused and uncomfortable with the fact that two men can be with each other and not be gay, leading them to say 'oh, but they had girlfriends' to justify such behaviors. Such conversations about their costumes being revealing and hugging can spark a sort of 'meninist' topic, not only about homosexuality or homoeroticism, but about how all men who are seen as 'hero-worthy' must have the hypermasculine body and appearance.
The concept of the secret identity with superheroes being a metaphor for the closet blew my mind, because it totally makes sense! Society still shuns homosexuality and labels them as 'dandy' and uncapable, although it is the social act of being gay and not necessarily the sexual acts that spark the roar. If one does it behind closed doors, in the closet, it is much more okay. They can join the military, maintain the hypermasculine, straight-man identity that is the ideal 'hero', but can still be their homosexual selves in the sheets. The same with super heroes, but reversed; their regular identity is hyperaverage, picking flowers and being 'dandy' as a way to ward off any suspicion that they are exactly the polar opposite. Williamson was right in my opinion in pointing out this binary, the idea of heterosexuality and hypermasculinity being one, and that this form of 'drag' is actually a way to highlight the difference between the two binaries and utilize them to their own advantage and to let out a part of them they keep in themselves.
I am very passionate about this topic because the closeted culture in society leads people to psychological issues and suicide. The way heroes depict this duality is like a split-personality disorder of sorts, and can be seen in many closeted homosexuals that are brainwashed to reinforce these ideals. Certain people refuse to come out of the closet because they have to keep this secret, as if there were super villains outside who will kill their family if their identity gets revealed. However, many of them are in religious households that very well might do some terrible things, kicking them out being a common one, if their child revealed their identity. Therefore, they must put on a mask and carry a sword to penetrate their victims, and be home by a certain time and put on a hypermasculine role when they arrive.
Because god forbid anyone find out their true identity.
File