Sedgwick and Lee

Both articles explored the idea that society has certain expectations for homosexuality. Both developed the idea that the society in which we live is not accepting of homosexuality, that we would prefer gay and lesbian people to “not be.” While the general gist of society’s views were constant in both articles, there were some very interesting differences as well. The idea of what defines someone to be homosexual, from that person’s point of view, seemed to differ a bit from article to article. In Sedgwick’s piece, “Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood” applied only to girls in a physical sense, that is, when she asserts she has or will grow a penis. For boys, a similar physical “requirement” is necessary in order to be diagnosed. A boy would have the disorder if he admits it would be better not to have a penis, if he cross-dresses, or if he acts girls (like playing girly games). Meant to apply to children, this diagnostic test focuses on the physical appearance of the children and what they want. In Lee’s piece, when talking about homosexuality, the focus is more centered on having a particular state of mind as opposed to a certain physical appearance. Lee’s piece seems to explore the idea of knowing what one wants rather than the kind of experimenting that defines the children’s desires. I wonder if, with the children, such an emphasis is placed on the physical because the emotional aspect is not as developed as it is in an adult.

Another interesting point that both articles addressed is the idea of the self-image of the heterosexual in response to society’s reactions to and feelings about the nature or process of homosexuality. Sedgwick’s piece bring forth the idea that for any given adult gay male there is a “high likelihood that he will have had a childhood history of self-perceived effeminacy or non-masculinity.” He continues with the idea that effeminate boys turn out gay because other men do not validate their masculinity. The idea that one needs validation from society in order to feel fulfilled, or in this case not to turn out gay, places a large value and significance on the importance of society’s approval. What does it say about our culture if this is true? That society can have a huge impact on our development. In Lee’s piece, the idea of a negative self-image that inadequately measures up to society’s expectations is discussed. The case of a boy who finds himself “the negative image of both heterosexuality and homosexuality” explores the idea that fitting into society is really difficult. The boy’s homosexuality means that he cannot fit into the role of heterosexual society, and due to society’s disapproval of homosexuality, he cannot fit into that role either. He will be a “doubly inadequate subject” both “inadequately male and inadequately female.” Society will not let him become truly female and his desire to be a feminine means that he cannot be truly male. As with Sedgwick’s piece, society plays a large role, too large of a role, in shaping the self-image of the homosexual.