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Alternative Sexuality in Mainstream Media
Representations of transgender individuals have traditionally been highly stereotypical in mainstream media. According to Mocarski (et al. 2013), this is why the inclusion of Chaz Bono in the popular reality television show Dancing With the Stars was viewed as particularly radical, given that Bono is an openly transgender man. Bono participated in the competition as a male dancer, just like any other male involved in the show. But ballroom dance, the authors argue, is an inherently transgressive practice. On one hand, it reaffirms gender given that male and female roles are quite rigidly defined within the context of a dance. On the other hand, the costumes, sequins, and theatricality of dance, even for males, can be quite gender-disturbing. It is not uncommon to hear jokes about the sexual orientation of male dancers as a result.
On the other hand, some argued that as a white man who is heterosexual, Bono’s supposed category defiance was not nearly as transgressive as might be thought. He is still a man, dancing and playing a male role, even though he is transgender rather than cis-gendered. The idea that ballroom dancers must be gay likewise simultaneously affirms notions of hegemonic masculinity. “The...
These men have heterosexual access to their counterparts and are rarely shown in sexual contact with other men,” thus rendering not only masculinity in dance in a relatively neutered fashion but also “the portrayals of gay men safe because they are either unsexed or sexed in a heterosexual way” (Mocarski et al. 2013, p.252). And arguably transgendered individuals themselves may be viewed as reaffirming gender binaries by viewing sex as intrinsic to their personhood, rather than gender as something which is separate from their essential character and easily performed.
Still, the presence of an openly transgendered male during a ballroom dance highlights the notion of gender as something which is fluid. Furthermore, given that the roles during a dance, although fixed are assigned by the rules of the competition, rather than are innate to the performer’s body, dance itself can be a fluid construct. It also highlights the extent to which gender roles can be mutable in the strength shown by female as well as male dancers in the dance, and the softness male dancers likewise can communicate in their responsiveness to the music. If heteronormativity assumes that gender…
In 1999, the average person in England and Wales watched 26 hours of television and listened to 19 hours of radio per week - this amounts to 40% of their waking life, and the figures are higher for youth and in particular working class youth (Young). Not only has the quantity of media usage increased, but the level of violence depicted in the media has increased dramatically, due in part
Social Contracts: Media Articulation Of The Rites Of HETEROSEXUAL vs. HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS In the Land of the Free where the Bill of Rights is supreme, all marital unions between consenting adults should be accorded the same level of societal respect and legality under federal and state laws. It was just a few decades ago when the Gay Rights Movement was born in a raucous Greenwich Village bar, but homosexuals have become
Media Misrepresent Women? For a long period of time, hundreds of commercials, movies, as well as TV shows have in one way or another misrepresented women by either objectifying them or presenting them as the weaker sex. It is important to note from the onset that the media plays a significant role in our lives. In addition to shaping our politics, the media also influences the way we think and
In other words, World War II produced an important shift in both mentality and reality. Although many of the women who had been employed during the war returned to being homemakers, there was also a significant percentage which managed to reconcile being a mother and a wife with work. Also, despite the fact that their wages were far from being equal to those of men, their contribution to the
He was unworthy, because he had in effect become both a woman and a prostitute. If as an adult he nevertheless went ahead and exercised his citizenship by casting his vote or speaking in the assembly, he could be put on trial and lose not only his citizenship but also his life. Such charges may not have been brought very often, but it did sometimes happen,(18) and the very
Media Violence on Youth Damaging effects harm society's future adults Young people have the opportunity to respond negatively if provided violent material How Violent Print Media Affects Youth "Tweens" and teens are among the most influential group to market to, and are on the search for their true identities Magazines campaign for teenagers "to be cool" Posters and advertisements display sexuality, thin bodies, and beautiful self-images Famous clothing advertisers use adult sexuality to advertise to teenagers Results