Narrative and Aesthetic Choices in Queer Media
The word "queer" refers to anyone who does not identify as exclusively straight, cisgender, or gender-conforming. Queer media explores themes of identity, gender, sexuality, love, power dynamics, oppression, and resistance through storytelling. This article will explore how narrative and aesthetic choices in queer media can communicate subtle critiques of heteronormativity and structural inequality.
Narratives that subvert traditional gender roles are common in queer media.
In the web series "Transparent," the protagonist is a trans woman named Maura Pfefferman. She often uses her privilege as a white, middle-class, cisgender man to advocate for marginalized communities such as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The show also depicts trans characters in diverse ways, challenging the idea that all trans people fit into a single mold.
Aesthetics can be used to critique heteronormativity and inequality.
In the film "Moonlight," the main character, Chiron, struggles with his sexuality and masculinity while growing up in a poor black neighborhood in Miami. The cinematography emphasizes the beauty of nature and everyday objects, contrasting with the harshness of urban life and the brutality of the drug trade. The use of soft lighting and close-ups on faces creates intimate moments between characters, which challenges the assumption that only heterosexual relationships are meaningful.
Another way that queer media criticizes heteronormativity is by disrupting the binary between male and female. In the show "Orange Is the New Black," several characters are portrayed as nonbinary or genderfluid. This helps viewers question the importance of gender labels and stereotypes. The show's creator, Jenji Kohan, has said she wanted to create a world where everyone could be themselves without judgment.
Queer media can also highlight the power dynamics between men and women. In the web series "Sense8," two characters fall in love despite being from different socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures. The show explores how these differences shape their relationship and reveal societal inequalities. By presenting a romance between characters who would never meet in real life, the show invites viewers to consider how social structures limit our choices and experiences.
Queer media uses narrative and aesthetic choices to challenge traditional notions of gender, sexuality, and power dynamics. These subtle critiques can help us see beyond mainstream representations and understand the complexities of identity and oppression.
How do narrative and aesthetic choices in queer media communicate subtle critiques of heteronormativity and structural inequality?
The media we consume, whether it be television shows, movies, music, books, etc. , often reflects our social norms and expectations. In regards to heteronormativity and structural inequality, this is no different. Queer media can be used as a tool to challenge these concepts by presenting alternative lifestyles that go against what society expects.