Media Reviews
Poem Review
Hope B.
In an unclaimed poem that I found on Tumblr, the author writes about how she feels so fake and that nobody knows the truth about her. The entire poem the author reiterates that she feels fake and trapped, but each stanza refers to a different aspect of their life that contributes to this feeling of uncertainty. I think that the author wrote this poem to comfort people who are going through similar situations and feelings by letting them know that they are not alone. My first inference while reading the poem was that it was about sexual orientation, even before the final stanza confirms that the author is queer. Even though the piece does confirm that it is about sexual orientation in the final stanza, if each stanza was read as a separate piece of work, the individual stanzas could still be related to the feelings that are very common among LGBTQ+ people. It is way too common for these individuals to feel like they can’t confide in their friends and family before they have reached a full understanding. The author states “I am faking because the words do not escape me”. Personally, every friend of mine that has come out to me has specifically said in some form that they “have known for a while” but didn’t know how to tell me. It’s heart-warming to know that the person is finally coming out, it’s sad to know that they’ve been struggling with it for a long while before they’ve reached that point. This is a direct result of the fact that our society doesn’t normalize the conversation of sexualities, other than heterosexual. This external battle leads to the internal struggle, that is also extremely common among the LGBTQ+ community, of isolating a significant part of what makes you unique. The author reemphasizes that she feels fake and follows it by stating that she is “discovering and inventing this new me and keeping her under lock and key” because she’s “not ready to be free.” I cannot imagine how hard it must be to discover yourself while keeping those thoughts and feelings internalized. By explaining that she knows she is queer, but nobody, including herself, knows who she truly is. This part confused a little because I thought how does she not know who she is if she just said she was queer, but when I reread the stanza I realized that the author was saying that she knows the title of her sexuality, but not what it truly means. This is once again extremely common for people who identify as LGBTQ+. They don’t feel like they can talk to people, even the ones they trust, about the feelings they’re having and therefore don’t feel comfortable exploring their sexuality in fear of judgment. These realities are all too common in the LGBTQ+ community and the simple solution is to normalize the exploration of sexuality. The poem is can be accessed through the button below.
Word Count: 483
Euphoria Media Review
Sophie M.
“Euphoria” is an American television series about the life of a 17 year old girl Rue. Throughout this series it tackles a lot of problems teens face in today’s world with drugs, sexuality, anxiety, and day to day problems. One of the main characters is Jules. In this review I will discuss how her life relates a lot to our issue advocate group’s issue sexual orientation. While being transgender comes with many hardships, it is worth it.
In the episode “Made You Look”, the show confirms Jules is a transgender. Throughout the series up until this point it hinted to the fact that Jules was transgender, but never confirmed it until this episode. She and her BFF Rue are arguing when she tells her that she is transgender. After this is when the show begins to elaborate on Jules’ backstory and her phase through transitioning. The show talks about many of the heartbreaking stories she’s had to go through, but one of the quotes that stuck out to me was this. “I remember walking out of Sears with my first pair of heels in my backpack. And my heart was racing. And I got home, and went straight to my room, locked the door, put 'em on... And, I just... felt like... I was collecting herbs, or making potions in order to up my manna, you know? Like, it started with that, and then it was clothes, and then it was makeup, and eventually hormones.” Jules says this to a friend when describing the way she knew she was a female. The way she describes the feeling she got when putting on her first pair of heels shows she was meant for this. She finally felt normal. All of the trials she has to face is worth it so she can feel like her full self. In the end of the series Jules still has to deal with certain hardships that test her or make her wonder if it is even worth it, but you get to see her victories and the happiness she feels when she finally gets to where she has always wanted to be.
Trying to figure out your sexuality can be a struggle and very difficult at times, but it is worth it. Many people who face these issues don’t even realize what they're going through or how to handle it. This is why I think it is very important to really promote the importance of sexual orientation and shed more light on this topic.
Word Count: 430
Grey's Anatomy Media Review
Alyssa Z.
Shonda Rhimes did a wonderful job of addressing normality’s of LGBTQ+ in season 15, episode 12 of Grey's Anatomy. She uses the coming out of Dr. Nico Kim and Dr. Levi Schmits relationship in a wonderful, normal, and healthy way. Having supportive and open minded people in your life is very important when coming out as an LGBTQ+ member, having this support will make your experience much more positive and healthy.
The scene from this show was very comforting and real. While in the operating room his co surgeons notice that he has been thriving lately, they noticed that he has been very happy, they said things like, “you seem different” but in a good way. Schmit begins to tell his co surgeons that he met someone and is very happy with them. Then begins to bluntly say “I am gay and he’s gay and we’re gay, together and it’s the most be I’ve ever felt in my whole life”. Instantly his fellow friends and coworkers casually and very normally tell them that they are very happy for him and that “it’s beautiful”. I think the importance of them being so calm and nonchalant about it was a very big factor in this scene because it resonates the idea that is not weird or strange, it’s normal. Rhimes structured this scene and the words exchanged down to a T, it had so much meaning and intent behind every word and every bit of body language. This gives us a great example of how “coming out” should be for people, it shows us the importance of having supportive and caring people around you. Most importantly it gives off the comfort that it is okay, it is normal, it is accepted, and you will be okay. The scene is not only able to influence or resonate with people who are attempting to “come out” but it can also help the surrounding heterosexual people who may be a part of someone's journey. These “surrounding” people need to be educated and taught and that factor itself is just as if not more important.
Word count 350
Fire Sermon Media Review
Isabel H.
Jamie Quarto’s “Fire Sermon” explores the life of Maggie and her battle with her faith. Quarto offers a novel that brings a new perspective on raw topics such as religion, sexuality, and marriage. The main character uses a few different ways to cope with her underlying problem. She buries herself in religion then her marriage then her affair, all in an effort hide her bisexuality. Over the course of the novel, she fails to mention any attraction to women but eventually drops the bomb. Even though, Maggie opens up about who she really is, she continues to bury it in the end. Throughout the novel, Maggie faces many struggles, from her faith to her marriage and ultimately her sexuality. Although this novel presents many problems, the most important conflicts are revealed in the therapy sessions, her affair, and her toxic marriage.
The story opens with Maggie’s wedding to Thomas. Readers later learn that the reason she marries him is because she made a promise to God after having premarital sex. She and Thomas grow into their adult lives and raise two children together. Maggie works as a writer and eventually meets James, a poet. The two form a relationship that begins as a friendship, but the pair end up falling into an affair. It isn’t until the very end that Maggie reveals she’s been attracted to women her whole life. She lists every memorable attraction and describes her lust. Maggie almost praises the female form and for a split second lets, herself feel what it’s like to love women.
I feel like this novel gave a new insight into topics such as love and lust. Quarto was able to bring in not only the struggles of humanity but the struggles of someone who has to hide their sexuality. She demonstrates how important it is to be authentic and honest with yourself. I found it very interesting how a psychological aspect was presented in this novel. I recommend reading this novel if you are looking for a book that empowers women and encourages them to be true to themselves no matter what.
Word Count: 351
Brokeback Mountain Media Review
Ashton S.
Brokeback Mountain is a movie set in the early 1960’s Wyoming on a farm. Two new hires, Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar are forced to spend lots of time together as sheep farmers. Slowly, they realize that they are in love with each other but end up marrying other women. They struggle with this forbidden love with one another for 20 years after their adventures on the sheep farm. In this essay, I will be discussing how there is a masculinity standard held within society, and how it affected Jack and Ennis throughout the movie. The heartache that comes with the feeling that you will never be able to truly express who you are due to masculine expectations is a major theme of Brokeback Mountain.
Both characters have a twisted concept of homosexuality due to the way they were raised. Ennis’ father raised him to believe that masculinity is shown through violence and discipline and convinced him that being gay was the worst threat to your masculinity. This set Ennis to question his sexuality and be in denial of it for a while. It is important that when raising children, we don’t set a certain expectation on how to behave because of how gender norms suggest it. Using violence and control over a child to force an opinion on them is morally wrong. Ennis and Jack live in fear of being killed for being gay, as Ennis says, “Bottom line is… we’re around each other an’… this thing, it grabs ahold of us again… at the wrong place… at the wrong time… we’re dead”. They have to live with the fear that if they express who they truly are inside, not only will their societal expectations of masculinity be punctured, they risk losing their life as well. Every aspect of their lives is determined by fitting into the societal expectations of masculinity. In the end of the movie, when Jack dies, his family still refuses to accept him for who he was as a gay man. Ennis asks to spread his ashes over Brokeback Mountain as a symbol of love and freedom, but Jacks father shuts that down immediately. This just comes to show how much influence society can have on humans and how threatening this can be to relationships.
Although this movie has an unfortunate and heart-breaking ending, it kept it realistic in the most devastating way possible. It is a great example of how some people still look at sexuality today, and even though it was set in the 1960’s, it can still be compared to today’s societal norms and how some people still live in fear of expressing themselves for who they truly are.
Word Count: 448
"The Birdcage" Media Review
Isabel H.
In March 1996, “The Birdcage” directed by Mike Nichols made its debut. This film features Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, who play a gay couple that runs and performs at a drag club. The story follows Armand, the club owner, and his partner Albert. Things take a turn when Armand’s son, Val, gets engaged to the daughter of a Republican Senator. Val, Albert, and Armand form a plan to hide their lifestyle. The characters use a few different ways to cope with their underlying problems. The couple has to change their routine by redecorating, their flamboyant housekeeper, how they behave, and even their Jewish last name. This iconic film features many taboo topics for the 90s, such as gay stereotypes, antisemitism, and drag. The movie introduces The Birdcage, a South Beach drag club, and the couple in charge. Armand and Albert live in a little apartment above the club, which is cleaned by Agador, a gay Guatemalan housekeeper. One day, Val comes to visit his father and anounces that he’s engaged to a woman. The woman, Barbara is the daughter of Republician Senator Kevin Keeley. Senator Keeley gets involved in some bad press and in an effort to save his reputation, he and his wife plan a trip to South Beach. Little do they know, what awaits them could ruin it more. In an effort to preserve his future father-in-law’s reputation, he asks his father to change their entire way of life. Barbara tell’s the Senator that Armand is a cultural attaché to Greece and is married to Val’s mother. Armand and Albert don’t like the idea of lying about who they are. Albert especially has a difficult time, his character is very flamboyant and effeminate. Armand remodel’s the apartment and tracks down Val’s mother. Ultimately, Armand and Albert’s sacrifices fail and the truth is revealed. The senator get’s over his prejudice and his daughter marries Val.
Personally, I have watched this movie since I was a child and I love it. I think this movie wouldn’t be made during this day and age for several reasons. One reason being that Robin Williams is straight and plays a gay man. Another being the jokes that are made and how the movie handles the problem. I think although the movie is funny and made to put stereotypes on blast, it comes off as negative. I still recommend this movie and will continue to love it.
Word Count: 405
"A Tale of Three Coming Out Stories" Media Review
Hope B.
In “A Tale of Three Coming Out Stories”, Roxanne Gay discusses the intrusion that people of the LGBTQ+ experience when they decide to come out. It is not an unknown fact that people who aren’t heterosexual experience lots of discrimination when they decide to come out with their sexuality. Roxanne Gay says, “[Heterosexuals] can date, marry, and love whom they choose without needing to disclose much of anything.” This privacy seems to be a guaranteed privilege, but the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t possess the same privacy, and celebrities often lack privacy all together. Society desires to know every minute detail about the celebrities they idolize. Because of this, celebrities are often pressured to explicitly state their sexualities in order to help pave the way to rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Roxanne Gay argues that celebrities should not have to bear the weight of paving the way to equality for LGBTQ+, and I agree. I think that prominence in society should not accompany the surrender of the details of their private life. Just because society desires to know these details, does not mean we have to know them. Celebrities might refuse to announce their sexual orientation for the protection of their privacy, career and loved ones, since they more susceptible to the hate crimes that may be endured. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget, or refuse, to acknowledge that. Coming out may also revoke privileges and rights that people, including celebrities, previously had access to, such as marriage, adoption, and employment. It is unfortunate that this is the case, but it goes to show just for our society is from equality. Why should celebrities have to carry the weight of paving the pathway to that? Why should they have to hold the LGBTQ+ community’s hope for the future on their shoulders?
The more celebrities who come out, the more acceptance we begin to see from society as a whole. It’s a risky step for celebrities to take, but a beneficial one, so it is understandable if they don’t come out and they should not be criticized for that. In 2012, Frank Ocean came out as gay or bisexual. In doing this, he had to hope that his fans would accept his sexuality and continue to support his music. While he did receive excessive support from other celebrities and his fans, he was not excused from critical responses. Gay says, ““Perhaps we expect gay public figures and other prominent queer people to come out, to stand and be counted, so they can do the work we’re unwilling to do to change the world, to carry the burdens we are unwilling to shoulder, to take the stands we are unwilling to make.” These circumstances are unfortunate, but that is the reality of our present-day society, and until we accept those who choose to identify as LGBTQ+, it is a weight that celebrities will continue to bear.
Word Count: 506
“Same Love” By Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert Media Review
Alyssa Z.
Same sex marriage is looked down upon and discriminated against worldwide because of close minded and uneducated people. This song, by these three-great artist is addressing the issues that comes with loving someone of the same sex. It goes into the discrimination that comes with race and also ties into religion. This was known to be the first song to explicitly embrace and promote gay marriage and it did just that. Marriage equality is so important and over looked when it comes to its importance of understanding and acceptance.
Throughout the song it says “and I can’t change, even if I tried, even if I wanted to” this repetitive line from the song aligns with sexual orientation because we know that being gay or loving someone of the same sex is not a choice. People are discriminated against and tore down because of who they love and it is has to stop. The line “ I might not be the same but that is not important, no freedom till’ we’re equal, damn right I support it” was iconic. This lyric has so much fight against discrimination and proclaims the freedom that all LGBTQ+ members deserve. They are telling us that you don’t have to be gay to support gay love or gay marriage and that there will be no freedom until we are all equal. This is so important and heavy because the LGBTQ+ community and members need our love and support, not just their own. It takes an army to see and to make change within every community. To see worldwide change and acceptance we all have to work together no matter our sexual orientation. Freedom and equality for LGBGTQ+ members has made much progress since this song was released in 2012 and together as people, as humans, we can all fight for change.
Word count 321
Bad Suns- "Salt" Media Review
Ashton s.
Released in 2014, the song “Salt” by Bad Suns focuses on the struggle of someone dealing with gender identity. The music video follows a dark yet realistic storyline of someone who is finding difficulty with understanding who they are. In this music video, the directors were able to give an accurate depiction of the true meaning behind the song and show that these struggles are way more intense and detrimental to mental health than the average human is aware of. I will be explaining why “Salt” is a much-needed song in society that actually describes the hardest parts of the journey to understanding your sexual orientation, the parts commonly overlooked by anyone not within the LGBTQ+ community.
A very overlooked problem within the LGBTQ+ community is the effects of mental health while struggling with sexuality. In the song, Bad Suns sings,
“Look in the mirror and tell me
What it is like to be free
How do I grasp reality
When I don't have an identity!”
These lines are very powerful as they show the struggles that come with looking in the mirror and not understanding who you are. People who haven’t been through this themselves seem to forget the emotional toll that comes with gender identity issues. In the video, the actor is seen going through severe depression, gender dysmorphia, drug addiction, sexual assault, and even attempted suicide. Some people say the video is too graphic, but it needed to be done to open the eyes of those who don’t understand the struggle. I think in our society, in order to spread awareness about an issue this serious, you have to get personal and realistic to show the severities of the struggles that come with it. In this case, Bad Suns did an exceptional job at putting it all into the perspective of someone dealing with gender dysmorphia.
I believe that this video is one of the more important ways to put into perspective the struggles that people dealing with gender identity go through every day. Hopefully it has been able to help people not involved with LGBTQ+ gain empathy for those struggling and has possibly even influenced them to want to spread more awareness and support for the community itself.
Word Count: 501