The Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association National Conference in New Orleans featured a presentation of Libbie Searcy's documentary Questioning Queerness last month. The English Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University observed that among the predominantly male student body of engineers and mathematical students there were occasional uses of gay or other terms to denigrate members of the student body.
Searcy strove to reach this college age audience with a thought provoking piece about stereotypes and stigmas associated with gay, lesbian and bisexual people. The result, a hip film that incorporates television and film clips, popular music and students own words to dramatize the issues of gender and sexual behaviors and assumptions.
The Office of Diversity Initiatives at her University has sponsored showings of the movie. Dr. Searcy believes that she has been successful in encouraging awareness of sexual identity without alienating viewers who will inevitably represent a spectrum of views.
The group of viewers at the conference were highly impressed. Many commented on the effectiveness of the presentation, with its quick pace and energetic music. The 45-minute film utilizes television and film clips, music, and the results of a student questionnaire in order to appeal to that hip quality of youth culture.
Searcy thought one of the successful aspects of the movie is that it reaches many without alienating them. A very religious student approached her after she showed the movie in a class. She thought he would probably be upset. Instead, he congratulated her on the movie and said that he found it balanced enough to make him feel comfortable watching it.
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4 Comments
Interesting.
Slightly insulting, but interesting. Care to share any sort of contact info available?
Antonia D'orsay | May 10, 2009 11:18 AM
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I have tried several times to contact Professor Searcy and she has never sent a response.
What aspect of the movie seemed insulting to you?
Brett Abrams | May 10, 2009 12:02 PM
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Was the language used to describe it and its purpose contrasted with the implicit nature of it.
G/L but nothing mentioning GV or Trans? And yet its about gender variance? ;)
DO keep trying, and if you have any luck, please do let me know.
Antonia D'orsay | May 10, 2009 12:46 PM
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definitely addressed the constructed nature of gender and the lack of link between gender and sexual activity.
Trans is included in the movie too.
Brett Abrams | May 10, 2009 2:32 PM
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