There should be a warning before purchasing Queer as Folk. Warning: What you are about to watch is extremely explicit or Warning: Naked bodies are guaranteed to be shown ever 3 minutes. Many gay advocates hate the series because they believe its obsession with sex overshadows other aspects of the gay community. Think about it though. Certain heterosexual television shows like Sex and The City are all about sex and sexuality, and it is accepted because ultimately the majority of the relationships filmed are those of a heterosexual nature.
It the world of homosexuality, sex is just as prevalent, it is simply not something viewed as frequently as heterosexual relationships, thus we are not use to it. It is a huge part of our culture, yet we refuse to accept or view gay material, such as Queer as Folk. It is only shocking because it is ‘in your face’ for the first time. The series does not overly represent ‘gayness’, and when viewed closer, it subconsciously relates to masculinity and acceptance.The television series Queer as Folk constructs masculinity in a seemingly progressive way; due to the overtly sexual nature of the show, and to the homosexuality of the majority of the characters.
In some ways, seen specifically through the actions and characteristics of Brian, Queer as Folk attempts to widen the category of “normative masculinity” to include gay men, but at the same time the series also flaunts and celebrates a non-normative masculinity. Thus far, through the viewing of two Queer as Folk episodes, the series constructs masculinity in two different ways.One which includes homosexuals in societies view of “normative masculinity,” the other depicting gays as a group of non-normative people. Both constructions of masculinity are neither right nor wrong, and they both build off each other in each episode.
Specifically, the character Brian fuels the first depiction of masculinity, whereas Emmett and the scenes of Club Babylon celebrate the non-normative forms of masculinity. Mosse’s Image of Man defines some of the traits of masculinity as “power, honor, and courage. ” He also claims that truly masculine men lack emotion, are often aggressive, and are driven by sex.They offer physical and emotional toughness and bravery.
In modern society, photographs of muscular wrestlers, workers and sculptures clutter the Wikipedia paged titled masculinity. So if Mosse’s “normative masculinity” relates to societies stereotypical views of masculinity, one would think that a television show as ‘gay’ as Queer as Folk would never fit into this masculine norm. Oddly though, the series actually attempts to widen Mosse’s and societies stereotypes of “normative masculinity” to include gay men by crafting Brian Kenny’s character to fit into the category of masculinity. I don't believe in love. I believe in fucking.
It's honest, it's efficient.You get in and out with the maximum of pleasure, and minimum of bullshit,” claims Brian Kinney. Seems like something a straight man would say, right? Brian is the gay in Queer as Folk who has everything but morals. He has a well-paying job in advertising, an elaborate apartment, and the kind of looks that get him into bed with a different man every night. An outsider would consider Brian successful and attractive; he truly seems like a man who has it all.Strong personality, strong features, strong everything.
Brian does not express his personal emotions, instead he oppresses them through drugs, drinking and sex. He is sex-oriented, not love-oriented. No one would know Brian Kinney was gay unless they walked in on him having anal sex with a man. He fits Mosse’s view of masculinity, as he lacks visible emotions, is aggressive, powerful, and is mentally and physically tough.
Brian doesn’t feel the need to seek approval from his friends, and this independence again is a typical masculine quality.He also manipulates his friends into doing what he wants, as seen after leaving Michael, Emmett and Ted at Club Babylon when he drove off with Justin. Brian worries only about himself, intimidates others, is less apologetic, and very ambitious. His masculine characteristics are abundant, and the only difference between Brian Kinney and a heterosexual man is the gender of the people they engage in sexual relations with. The controlling of one’s emotions is a repeated element in Queer as Folk which many of the male characters posses, specifically Brian.
He suppresses his positive feelings towards Justin and Michael, and instead acts out his negative feelings of anger and frustration. This is a somewhat typical masculine characteristic, suppressing the positive feelings while expressing the negative, more manly ones. After Justin’s accident, Brian claims that the entire situation is not a big deal, but secretly he is angry, frustrated, and is constantly agonizing over Justin. His emotions though, continue to stay submerged because he never wants to be seen as weak, or even gay.Queer as Folk indirectly attempts to widen the category of “normative masculinity” to include gay men through Brian Kinney’s seemingly masculine character. As Queer as Folk broadens the stereotypical views of masculinity to include gay men, but it also accepts, and celebrates the lives of gay men and women.
Yes, Brian’s characteristics tend to be similar to those of heterosexual men, but the majority of the other characters and their experiences throughout Queer as Folk can be placed in a counter typical category, one which accepts gays for who they truly are.Overall the series is celebrating a non-normative view of masculinity. Queer as Folk portrays the flamboyancy and ‘gayness’ of men, yet the main character, Brian, has masculine tendencies, making the show unique. It shows that not every homosexual man dresses fashionably and lisps when he speaks. The characters in Queer as Folk are not embarrassed that they are gay. Examples of the series acceptance of non-normative behavior is seen specifically at Club Babylon and through the actions of Emmett.
Emmett is probably the most flamboyant character, and he wears it with pride. He is the flaming homosexual of the group, but he claims that “[he] could be a... a real man if [he] wanted to. Y'know, just.
.. stop gesturing with my hands..
. lower my voice... never never use words like, like ‘fabulous! ’ or ‘divine! ’..
. talk about ‘nailing bitches’ and ‘RBIs’. But I'd rather my flame burn bright than be some puny little pilot light” (Queer as Folk). Emmett uses words like “honey,” and when he sees men at the club he says “my god have you ever seen anything more beautiful. Michael describes Emmett’s personality saying it “takes real guts to be a queen in a world full of commoners.
” Emmett is introduced to the audience wearing tight red leather pants and a pink silky shirt, an outfit a stereotypical male would not usually wear. But Emmett is accepted for who he is because stereotypes tend to not exist in Queer as Folk’s gay culture. This counter typical idea of masculinity oozes out of Club Babylon. Hundreds of gay men dance together to “divas of disco music. ” Everyone seems to be shirtless, muscular and handsome, three characteristics of heterosexuals.They grind with other each other, kiss, give hand-jobs and blow-jobs, and often take their built up sexual desires to the sex cave in the back of Club Babylon.
Emmett sips on what looks to be a cosmopolitan, and non-normative masculine tendencies are seen everywhere. In most clubs, this ‘feminine’ behavior would not be tolerated, but at Club Babylon and in Queer as Folk overall, anything goes. The environment portrayed in Queer as Folk is so accepting to heterosexuals, that anyone who is confused about their sexuality, after viewing one episode, will feel like it is o. .
to come out because the atmosphere depicted seems so welcoming.The depiction of masculinity in the television series Queer as Folk can be seen as a positive. The careful placement of Brian’s seemingly heterosexual character is probably purposeful, as it adds a dynamic to the series overall. His manly characteristics break free of gay stereotypes, and this is necessary in such a ‘gay’ television series.
It gives an outsiders of the gay community a different view of homosexual men; one that is less feminine and more strong, aggressive and determined.Because Brian is such an uncharacteristic gay man, he helps the series attempt to widen the category of “normative masculinity” to include gay men, for he himself can be viewed as an accepted member of this society. However, Queer as Folk does not diminish homosexuals who do not fall under Mosse’s category. The series embraces gay men of all types. This is seen by comparing Emmett and Brian.
Emmett is flamboyantly gay, yet he is still completely accepted by the gay community in both episodes. Queer as Folk widens “normative masculinity,” while also staying true and accepting towards stereotypical gay culture.
