Priscilla, The Queen
I do not agree with Robertson. I believe in the film, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the stereotypical gay men who are part of the drag culture is meant to represent something much deeper in the film and reveal a larger issue to the viewer. Robertson believes that such stereotypes are used in the film to frighten those who venture, but I disagree. Throughout the film, the stereotype of the gay man in drag is mocked and ultimately is personalized with the three individuals’ experiences in the outback. One scene that stands out in my mind is when Adam is chased and beaten up by a group of men who represent the stereotypical outback masculinity. I believe that the scene breaks down the stereotypes of drags queens and reveals them as individuals who go through struggles and face dire consequences for being true to themselves. Though comedic throughout the film, the experience changes the talkative Adam, who is left voiceless after his frightful experience. Tick actually yells at Adam for putting himself into such a situation in the outback. Yet, as the viewer I myself question why couldn’t Adam be true to himself without having to worry about being killed? It present such a question within me about the type of society we have and the close-minded individuals in society who feel threatened enough by differences to turn to violence. I believe that such strong stereotypes are present in the film for a deep reason for the viewer to question the type of society we live in and ultimately change it. It allows the viewer to question whether they themselves feel uncomfortable with the drag queens; yet, throughout the film of Adam, Tick and Bernadette on the road I see that they are all much deeper than what meets the eye. Tick is continuously battling the desire to have his son in his life, but frightful of what he will think of his father because of his living. The son views his father profession as completely normal. Such a child-like innocence, untainted by stereotypes and prejudices in our world voices the opinion that is how all individuals should respond. Overall the film personalizes the individuals with their battles that they go through for simply being open and honest with what makes them happy in their life and why should any individual have to be persecuted for finding something that makes them happy, even in the outback?