Gay and Lesbian Issues - Gender Identity in Gumbys Adventures :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Gay and Lesbian Issues - Gender Identity in Gumbys AdventuresWhen Jerry Falwells conservative paper outted Tinky-Winky (the purple Teletubby) as being gay, fans of the Teletubbies television series normally fell into two camps those who supported Tinky-Winky as a positive gay character and those who maintain Tinky-Winky has no developed sexual identity. A few strange with the BBC/PBS show asked the question, how can you even tell if Tinky-Winkys masculine? Brushed off by most fans as a naive inquiry, this concern does deserve discussion. How do we, as television viewers, determine gender identities for non-human characters? How is this complicated for peasantrens characters? Sometimes obvious cues are given to viewers. For instance, Mickey and Minnie Mouse are undeniably male and female. Due to current moral standards (at the time of Mickeys and Minnies creation, but also now), genitalia is not graphically displayed in childrens programming. Of course, genitalia is only an indica tor of physical identity, which whitethorn be different from the gender identity an individual accepts. Instead of physical clues, we look for other signs of masculinity and feminity. Mickey is usually a mans name, although that is not unendingly the case. Minnie is almost always a females name. Minnie wears a dress, thus presenting herself as female. Minnies high-pitched voice (higher than Mickeys) also forces viewers to accept her as female. The actions of Minnie are keeping with those of traditionalistic females. It is not Steamboat Minnie. Minnie does not break any stereotypes. Mickey controls most of the action, receives most of the press, and is the most famous of all Disney characters. It is Mickeys show Minnies just along for the occasional cameo. merely what happens when clothes are no longer an issue? None of the Teletubbies regularly wear clothes neither do the characters of Gumbys Adventures. Yet ask any child familiar with the characters and theyll like answer that G umby and Pokey are boys. How can they tell? How do they determine those assignments? Defining seepageGoo, from Gumbys Adventures, is Gumbys closest female friend (non-family member). Her high body is shaped like a cross between a seal and a raindrop. Long blond hair (made of yarn) signals to most people that Goo is female her high-pitched voice and long eyelashes usually cement the decision. While a few physical indicators exist, it is the way Goo is treated by the boys approximately her that truly identity her as girl and thus Other.