Ang Lee...

Broken the back of it…

When Ang Lee accepted his Golden Globe for best direction for Brokeback Mountain, Lee said the film’s success “has proven you can never categorise a region or place or stereotype them”.

I wonder if this is completely true? The media has been in debate with itself about how to write and report on the film.

When the films were taken off the cinemas in Utah, the media beat it up with great controversy, without even speaking to the movie theatre’s manager! Since the moment this film was released, the media were keen to make it topical.

But should the media refer to Brokeback Mountain as ‘that gay film’? I think it is unnecessary to call it that at all…when Sleepless in Seattle was released, they didn’t call it that ‘straight film’. Yet then again, maybe it is important for films like Brokeback Mountain to openly break down stereotypes that unfortunately do exist in some parts of society…perhaps the film’s exposure, and the normality in which the love story is presented might prove Ang Lee right – that you can never categorise a place or stereotype them.

I think Heath Ledger has proven that you can never categorise a place or stereotype him – he is someone who’s public character is sure to be analysed in coming years – I just hope the media make a concerted effort to separate the characters Ledger plays, and the real Heath Ledger.

Galloping...

Dr Geoff Gallop – a brave person.

Following up our recent comments on the media’s expectations of public figures carrying out their public profile and gender identity back to their private sphere, some other recent events come to mind.

I think it is a gender stereotype that males don’t cry – they shouldn’t be too open with their emotions for fear of any condemnation that might follow…these pressures seem to seriously effect those in the public spotlight.

This week, with Dr Geoff Gallop retiring from politics, and doing so in such an open and honest way, Gallop almost shocked the media with his brave honesty with his fight with depression. Many prominent figures have stated that it might end up being the single most important thing Gallop ever does in his career. (see Kennett)…

We saw the way the media condemned and burnt John Brogden, and Mark Latham. We have also seen the way Steve Rogers had battled with depression and didn’t feel he could talk about it because of his public reputation (see Matt Rogers)

So many prominent celebrities and public figures struggle with their identity as a prominent figure in society, and who they really are underneath those masks…Gallop broke down those masks and was honest with the public how he was feeling underneath.

This is an extremely hard thing for males to publicly show in society – an openness and willingness to adapt to what they feel. Russell Crowe in some respects has started to be honest publicly about how he feels inside – his problems with anger, and emotions.

Perhaps this new wave of honesty will serve as an inspiration for other males throughout society who might be given the confidence and will to accept what their feelings are saying – and maybe once they do that, the media might follow.

Our Heath continued...

Heath personalizes his acting…

In the lead up to the Golden Globes, Ledger admitted to US media sources that his depiction of the character he played in Brokeback Mountain was primarily inspired by his Australian Uncle, Neil Bell (60 years old)…once the Aussie media picked up on this, they landed on Bell’s doorstep – the poor bloke faced with many journalists wanting answers – how were you the inspiration behind Ledger’s character? HE said he did not want to talk about his sexuality…

Ledger told the US media that his uncle inspired him because he saw him as a tough Aussie ‘fair dinkum’ bloke, a talented fighter…who was gay. Ever since, I think the media have been depicting Ledger’s gender (the fact that he is straight and has a partner etc aside) as someone who is tough with that sensitive side as well.

This statement by Ledger, further personalizes the situation and issues the media had been thriving on. By relating the gay issues brought up in Brokeback Mountain with his personal experience, Ledger was doing exactly what the media had been attempting to do for weeks – making links between Ledger and his character.

How often do the media make lofty comparisons between actor’s characters and their real lives and their actions…and I think this can be related to prominent people’s public roles and their real lives, and the expectations that flow from this.

Dramatic times!

Heath under the collar…

Heath was thrown into the media spotlight when it was alleged he spat at the Paparazzi when he was on the set of Candy (upcoming Aussie film about heroin addictions, starring Ledger and Abbie Cornish).

Ledger fiercely denied the allegation that he spat at the cameraman, yet the cameramen had another story. They said he had spat on them in a rather vengeful manner and they would seek revenge! Without making this sound like an episode of Paradise Beach, the spitting incident went further….

At a premiere for Brokeback Mountain, cameraman on the side of the red carpet squirted water pistols at Ledger and his wife (who also stars in Brokeback Mountain) as they strode down the red carpet. Ledger was outraged.

So there was Ledger, soaked from water pistol fire, the cameraman, openly content they’d sought their vengeance, and the onlookers – bewildered by the events.
All of this against a background of controversy propelled by the release of Ledger’s film. Journalists making value judgments on the film before they had seen it.

I wonder if there weren’t any controversy surrounding Ledger’s film, if there would be as much controversy surrounding Ledger’s reaction to the cameraman and their water pistols? I think this may be a case of the media, raising gender and sexuality issues by analyzing how the film is received, with Ledger’s own gender identity…this pattern has since followed Ledger since, and I wonder if it will continue throughout his career.

Brokeback Mountain

Our Heath…

Another year, another Golden Globes Awards night…our Heath was there in the running for Best Actor. He narrowly lost to Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It has been a busy few months for Our Heath. He has starred in a new Ang Lee film Brokeback Mountain which is sure to propel him in to the A-League category (not the soccer in Australia, but the A-League cohort of Hollywood Stars).

In the film Heath plays one of the male cowboy leads – Ledger’s character is gay. The film itself is allegedly a great piece of cinema…well written, brilliantly directed, strong cast and so on. Many reviews have said that the ‘gay issues’ the media is raving on about in the film are overrated, and that the viewer is more immersed in a wonderful love story.

What is of greater interest it seems in the media’s eyes, is how it has been received in American and now Australia.

Censorship, sexuality, and Hollywood have been thrown into fierce debate and discussion throughout the media. Ledger playing Heath Ledger, in the real world, away from the camera lens and on the red carpet, has taken on an intriguing relationship with the media and the public, juxtaposing their statements on his portrayal of the character he plays in the movie, with his own gender identity.

The next few blogs will follow the media coverage of Brokeback Mountain over the past few weeks, and the media’s portrayal of Ledger…this should give us an interesting insight into the way media discusses gender and sexuality...

Mixed doubles

Playing like Women?...

In a tennis tournament in Auckland last week, rising Scottish tennis star Andy Murray was booed off the court at the end of the match. When interviewed on court at the end of the game, Murray was quoted as saying: “we played like women”.

Judging by the public appeal towards women’s tennis at the moment, it wasn’t the best timed ‘gag’…mind you, Venus Williams after her first round loss at The Australian Open came short of saying she played like men out there!

The Scotsman reported:
“In a nation which has 50,000 more women than men, a female Prime Minister, and was enlightened enough to give women the vote back in 1893, audiences do not take kindly to any suggestion of female inferiority, especially from a visiting Scotsman.”

Women’s tennis is one of the forerunners in promoting fairness and equality between the sexes. The Australian Open is one of the only tennis grand slams which provide equal prize money between the men’s and women’s draws – that is fair.

When sport and international tennis tours are professional occupations for hundreds of men and women, it only makes sense that each sporting body should promote fairness between the sexes.

Thumbs up to the Australian Open for leading the way and good luck to Andy Murray should he ever have to play mixed doubles!

Politics and ethics

Abortion back on the agenda…

Abortion has made the news in the last week after pro-life groups have been “accused of deliberately flooding an abortion pill inquiry with hostile letters trying to shame women who seek terminations.” (More here)

The inquiry into the controversial abortion-inducing drug closed for public submissions on Monday, after receiving more than 4,000 responses.

AAP offered both sides of the debate. Senator Allison said the bill was not about the morality or legality of abortion. "The submissions demonstrate a lack of understanding of what the bill actually does but also reveals the extremist views of the anti-choice brigade," she said.

This view was contradicted by David van Gend, from the World Federation of Doctors Who Respect Human Life, said far “from being extremist, opponents of the drug were concerned, and strongly believed it was up to the government to police the drug's use.” (More here)

AAP Reported:
Senator Moore [closely involved in the inquiry] said the committee had made it clear from the outset that the inquiry would look at access to RU486, rather than become a moral debate on abortion.
"Just because a lot of people have put submissions in doesn't automatically mean that that makes it any more valuable, she said.
"We've been very clear that this bill is about the process of accessing the medication."
Senator Moore was part of a group of people, which included Ellison, sponsored a private members' bill to scrap an effective ban on the drug. (see here)

This highlights an often contradictory issue that comes up when politics and ethical issues are reported in the news. Moore emphasised that the bill is about the “process of accessing the medication” and that the bill’s intention was not to raise the debate of the ethics of abortion. By making a stir about the “anti-choice brigade”, Moore and Ellison were making abortion a far larger current ethical debate than they had intended initially!

More soon.

Fair for all?

More on the same-sex marriage…

A Melbourne couple have shown their disgust for the way same-sex couples are shunned when it comes to marriage nuptials…

This is an interesting alternative offered by The Age. By presenting a straight couple oppossing the Government’s stance on same sex marriage, this offers a more news worthy perspective on the laws…instead of having a same sex couple opposing the laws in the article, it features a same sex couple oppossing them. By using this technique does the point have a greater impact?

'Some couples regard these words (husband and wife) as ancient terms of master-servant relationship . . . ' ANGE KENOS, Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants

It also explores the definitions of marriage in Australia’s Marriage Act.

The technique used by The Age here is used in many other issues in the news. News sources seem to use alternative perspectives on issues to get a message across.

The Age reported:
"That pisses me off too," says Ms Rielly on the latter directive. "We (the couple) have talked about actually making a statement about the wording to say we don't agree with it. But then we didn't want to get on a soapbox at our wedding."

Does this make it a more objective approach to an issue? In terms of family values, Simone and Shane Warne’s projection of the family unit receives far more coverage than a quieter and smaller family unit that go about their business away from the public eye…just because people are thrown into the spotlight, does that make their issue a fair summation of how the wider community feels on a situation?

In terms of the same-sex marriage issue, I think The Age has made an important point in showing that many couples want same-sex couples to have the same rights and freedoms that they receive.

Nuptial woes...

Phillip Ruddock’s office welcomed the New Year by spreading their conservative policies overseas…

I wonder how the Attorney General celebrated New Years Eve? Might he have soaked up the electric atmosphere in Adelaide? Might he have snuck on to a cruiser on Sydney Harbour? I can just picture it now – Ruddock, wife in one arm, with a cigar and a glass of champers, gazing at the heart symbol shown on the Harbour Bridge at midnight. How cold a New Years Resolution he must have pondered…

The Federal Government has officially moved to obstruct gay couples wanting to get married in countries that recognise same-sex nuptials (i.e. England etc). The Attorney-General's Department last year told at least two of Australia's embassies in Europe to refuse help to citizens requiring proof of their single status for a same-sex marriage.

The Age reported that:

The Age learnt of the policy through the case of an Australian man whose bid to marry his gay partner in the Netherlands was blocked by authorities.
The Australian embassy in Vienna refused Peter Kakucska, originally from Melbourne, a certificate confirming his single status once it was clear he needed it to marry Markus Muehlmann, an Austrian.

This issue raises interesting questions about countries insituting their own laws in other countries. Is it hypocrisy in ethics for a coutnry like Australia to be able to jurisdict over a person hoping to marry someone of the same sex, when they may bemore reticent to make a value judgement when it comes to more pressing ethical issues like the death penalty?

Why is it that gender issues, like same-sex marriage are allowed to cross over in other coutnries jurisdictions, but not other issues? Would this mean that the Government could also make further value judgements on gender issues in other countries? If abortion were legal in another country, would the Australian government ensure that no Australians would be able to take part in any abortions?

Elton John must be counting himself lucky that he didn't marry an Aussie...

Third World Warne

Spin Queen...

The ongoing saga of Shane and Simone Warne’s marriage break up continues…

Simone Warne was on television national news bulletins tonight featuring at a press conference advertising a new insurance provider (homesite.com.au). It seemed the media were far more interested in how her relationship with Shane was holding up than the price of third party insurance….

Everything Shane Warne has done in the past aside, I think it feels as though Simone is banking in on the exposure she has received from the marriage break up. At one stage she said: “I feel like I have a chance now of achieving some of the dreams I had wanted to achieve”.

The Herald Sun reported:

SIMONE Warne says she'll continue sharing a home with her spin bowling husband for the sake of their children, as the couple heads down the road to divorce."It's nice to have him there for the kids," she told journalists today as she and Shane Warne prepare to legally end their marriage.

Not to say that Shane Warne isn’t banking in either on his affairs, becoming the face of a text message company…

The question is whether these issues should stay in the private sphere. Wouldn’t it be fairer to their children not to comment on these issues? Simone Warne was not there to promote family values and a family trying to stick by their children. She was there to get her face on television – make money from an insurance provider, and let Australia’s television audience become familiar with her before she has a dance off with Molly Meldrum on Dancing With the Stars.

The Daily Telegraph reported:

SIMONE Warne is forging a new life for herself and it includes a
good old fashioned case of out with the old and in with the new. In a
wide-ranging interview from renovation tips to kitchen sinks, Ms Warne said she
was taking her new life without the cricketing legend as a day by day process.
"I'm living day by day, that's all I can do," she said. "Trying to make the most
of what comes my way."

Another perspective on how she has reacted to her marriage break up is that Simone might serve as an inspiration to people who have been hurt and scarred by relationship break downs. By her ‘starting’ anew, might she serve as a role model for other women or men to move on and be empowered by the circumstances?

Either way, when both Shane Warne and Simone Warne offer their perspectives publicly on their family situation, it seems they both agree the most important thing at stake is their children. If they could do anything to help their children, they would stop drawing attention to the debacles their family have faced in the past in the public sphere, and work it out privately, for the children’s sake.

What do you think?

Gayometer

How 'gay' are you?

Channel 4 in the UK have developed a 'Gayometer' on their website...

This is an interesting test - how 'gay' are you?

Is 'gay' something that can or can't be measured?

Desperate Housewife

'Actress excels in gender-bending performance'

(see link...)

CBA sent blushing

Fashion police without 'Sprouting facial hair'

What do you wear to work? According to the Commonwealth Bank, bright red undies, the odd bit of nose hair, and mullets are out!

Looks like I have no chance of getting a job at the bank!

"The Commonwealth Bank has apologised to staff for official guidelines that recommend employees wear flesh-coloured knickers, trim nose hair and get regular haircuts". (Click for more)

How would you rate your chances of scoring a job at the Commonwealth Bank?...

News and Current Affairs

GAS - Gender and Sexuality

GAS is a blog dedicated to monitoring and analysing how 'Gender and Sexuality' is depicted and reported in News and Current Affairs sources in Australia and from around the globe.

Gender and Sexuality is a broad topic - we're sure to have both serious and light hearted discussion along the way!

GAS is a site which welcomes comments from a variety of perspectives. Underpinning this, however, are the requirements for fair and ethical journalistic practices. GAS will only promote fairness, understanding, equality, and a strong sense of social justice. Any views which clash with these values will not be welcome on GAS.

GAS looks forward to the debates, discussions, and the exploration of 'Gender and Sexuality' in Australia and abroad over the coming weeks.

Welcome to GAS

Welcome to GAS.