Gay men on film: A typology of the scopophilic consumption pleasures of cultural text

Abstract

In this paper, drawing on feminist film criticism, cultural theory, and reader response criticism, I discuss the consumption experience of viewing in the context of the analysis and interpretation of Hollywood films that represent gay characters. I then discuss various films in light of these concepts: The Boys in the Band from the 1970s, Cruising from the 1980s, and several films from the “Gay 90s” including Philadelphia and In & Out. Portrayals of gay men have changed dramatically over the years: from those of lonely, sad, and self‐loathing queens to dangerous and perverse leathermen to the very positive and seemingly affirming representations in 1990s films. A theoretical interpretation‐in the form of a typology of scopophilic pleasures‐is offered to further an understanding of these filmic portrayals and the consumption pleasure viewers may derive from watching.