Mean Girls-Queer theory

Mean girls-queer theory

In the 1970's because of the increasing attention to feminist theories and the representation of women, racial and ethical minorities. The study of Gay and Lesbian cinema became a growing concern. They concentrated on relationships and issues within homosexuality and used realistic storytelling conventions to explore coming out, romance and aids.

In mean girls there are two characters that both act in a stereotypical way, one portraying a butch lesbian, the other portraying a camp guy.

Damien is the camp guy, he uses feminine hand gestures when talking, this can be seen as a queen. We are also suggested this by what he wears, for example the pink clothes that belong to him, this is used in a humorous moment when we expect the girl to have the pink clothes when it is in fact the other way around. He acts as q queen in the way that he is very flamboyant, for example the way he runs when he sees a girl and calls her Danny Devito. He is an effeminate gay man who can be considered a drama queen at times.

Janis is the supposed 'butch lesbian', acts as the dike female, speaks in an angry deep voice. She also gets rough when talking to other people and also wears clothes that cover her head to toe, this tends to be a more male trait. She acts very tom boy like, and portrays all the normal characteristics, but we find out at the end that she is not in fact a lesbian, and that this was simply a rumour started by her enemies. This movie is good in that it states that not all people should be judged for their sexuality based on their behavior, what they look like and what they wear.

By Stuart Fuller