This term paper deals with disparate notions of gender in Stephan Elliott’s 1994 movie “Priscilla – Queen of the Desert” within the frame of a course on “Australian Identity in Literature and Film”.
The movie presents a variety of ways of “doing gender”: Its is primarily concerned with conceptions of gender deviating from the usual male-female-dichotomy, i.e. the ones of two cross-dressing homosexual men and a male-to-female-transsexual as contrasted to stereotypical notions of masculinity and femininity. Those have to be taken into account as the entirety of gender identities really is a web of the utmost complexity with notions of male and female forming a centre around which the other conceptions of identity are grouped and on which they depend. Changes in the understanding of masculinity and/or femininity then are likely to disrupt the entire system and cause deviant sexual identities to change with them. My primary aim in this term paper then will be to compare the western/mainstream-Australian attitude towards diverging sexual identities such as transsexuality, homosexuality and transvestitism to the one of indigenous people such as the Aborigines and to explain why their attitudes towards it are so different.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Biological and psychological fundamentals of the conception of gender
- The genesis of sexual deviation
- Sexual deviation in indigenous populations such as the Aborigines
- Sexual deviation in intercultural encounter in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert"
- Cross-dressing in the western tradition
- Mythological roots of western homo- and transphobia
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper examines the portrayal of divergent gender identities in Stephan Elliot's 1994 film “Priscilla – Queen of the Desert” within the context of Australian identity in literature and film. The main goal is to compare Western/mainstream-Australian attitudes toward transsexuality, homosexuality, and transvestitism with the attitudes of indigenous populations like the Aborigines and to explain why these perspectives differ. The key themes explored in this paper include:- The complexities of gender identity and the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.
- The impact of societal norms and expectations on the development of gender identity and sexual orientation.
- The contrasting perspectives on gender deviance in Western and Indigenous cultures.
- The role of homophobia and misogyny in the construction of masculinity.
- The representation of transgender individuals and drag queens in popular culture.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis of gender identity in “Priscilla – Queen of the Desert,” highlighting the film’s portrayal of diverse gender expressions and its relevance to the broader discussion of Australian identity. It outlines the primary objective of comparing Western and Indigenous perspectives on sexual deviance and emphasizes the film’s depiction of contrasting reactions to drag performances.Biological and psychological fundamentals of the conception of gender
This chapter delves into the biological and psychological aspects of gender identity. It discusses the XX/XY chromosome system and its implications for understanding sex determination. It also examines how parental influence and social interactions shape gender identity, highlighting the potential for societal expectations to reinforce gender stereotypes.The genesis of sexual deviation
This chapter explores the development of “sexual deviation,” focusing on the role of early childhood experiences, particularly the mother-child bond. It analyzes how disruptions in this bond, such as prolonged symbiosis, can contribute to the formation of non-normative gender identities, specifically male-to-female transsexuality. It further examines the influence of social norms and expectations in shaping notions of “sexual deviation,” particularly in relation to homosexuality.- Citation du texte
- Stefan Löchle (Auteur), 2008, Crossing Boundaries in Stephan Elliott’s “Priscilla – Queen of the Desert": Transsexuality and Transvestitism in Intercultural Encounters, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/139314
