I think Harvey Fierstein makes a very valid point. Although there may be stereotypes linked to the visibility of queer and GLBT folk, it is most important to address their presence. If there are "not-so-positive" stereotypes, it is my belief that simply the introduction of these ideas and opinions are not going to "put the idea" into anyone's head. For those who belief, for instance, that all gay men are extremely feminine, that idea was in their head before watching a certain film. These interpretations do foster an environment of generalization. I think at this point the stereotypes of queer folk are a little different than in the films recognized in The Celluloid Closet. In more recent films that I'm aware of, Brokeback Mountain and The Kids Are Alright, the stereotype seems to be more based on "sexual deviance" rather than simply gender role alterations. In both of these films, marriages (something, especially at this point in the political arena is seen to be 'sacred' and 'holy') are jeopardized because of a queer character's promiscuity. These stereotypes, in my opinion, have aided in the development of this state's ballot initiative pertaining to the definition of marriage.
"Visibility at any cost" -depictions of queer and GLBT issues
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I would argue possibly the opposite of the "putting ideas" into someones head. There are ideals that are built into people through their parents, friends, teachers ect., that influence how people think. However, specific things that occur in movies, such as Margret Hamilton who played the wicked witch of the west in The Wizard of OZ, carry through to the real world even though they occurred in a fictional movie. Margret was unable to find work because people didnt like her after the movie. It was the movie that put the idea that she was a bad person into their heads. Carrying this into Queer Cinema, if someone sees something in a movie, even if its ridiculously untrue, it is completely possible for that movie to make them believe something.
Although I would like to think that any exposure of GLBTs in the media would be a positive I think the previous comment is more accurate of our society. We look to people in movies and like or dislike them based on the similarities that we can find between ourselves and the character. So if GLBT folks are perpetually seen as merely a "sissy" or a "butch" then "I could never be like them". It creates a dangerously easy way to distance oneself for the life of an equal and even creates hierarchies in which an entire community can be treated exactly the same discriminatory way. Instead of putting the idea of queer folks as positve people in our cultures heads it seems to me that it may be an easy way to dismiss or judge them based on one sole Hollywood portrayl of gay life.