Encyclopedia
Discussion
research guide
editors & contributors
write the editor
Feminist literary theory is a complex, dynamic area of study that draws from a wide range of critical theories.
Although gay, lesbian, and queer theory are related practices, the three terms delineate separate emphases marked by different assumptions about the relationship between gender and sexuality.
Williams, TennesseeConflicted over his own sexuality, Tennessee Williams wrote directly about homosexuality only in his short stories, his poetry, and his late plays.
AestheticismA theory of art and an approach to living that influenced many European and American gay male and lesbian writers at the turn of the twentieth century, aestheticism stressed the independence of art from all moral and social conditions and judgments.
Wilde, OscarOscar Wilde is important both as an accomplished writer and as a symbolic figure who exemplified a way of being homosexual at a pivotal moment in the emergence of gay consciousness.
Erotica and PornographyErotic and pornographic works have been written in many cultures since ancient times and recently have flourished with the relaxation of censorship.
The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance, an African-American literary movement of the 1920s and 1930s, included several important gay and lesbian writers.
CampCombining elements of incongruity, theatricality, and exaggeration, camp is a form of humor that helps homosexuals cope with a hostile environment.
Last updated on: 08/11/12
Megan Rapinoe.
Congratulations to Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team and to four members of the Dutch Field Hockey team on winning gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics. Alas, Australian diver Matthew Mitcham failed to qualify for the finals in the men's ten meter platform diving competition.
On August 9, 2012, the U.S. Women's Soccer Team defeated Japan 2-1 in the gold medal game.
Crucial to the team's success was Megan Rapinoe, who in July in an interview with Jerry Portwood in Out matter-of-factly came out. Observing that "sports in general are still homophobic, in the sense that not a lot of people are out," she added that no one had asked her directly about her orientation. "I think they were trying to be respectful and that it's my job to say, 'I'm gay.' Which I am. For the record: I am gay," she repeated.
As Keph Senett reports in The New Civil Rights Movement, the U.S. Women's Soccer team was coached to victory by out and proud lesbian Pia Sundhage. The outspoken Swede became the first foreign head coach of the U.S. team in 2007.
On August 10, 2012, the Dutch field hockey team swept to a gold medal with a 2-0 victory over Argentina. The team from the Netherlands boasts four lesbians, Marilyn Agliotti, Carlien Dirkse-van-den-Heuvel, Kim Lammers, and team captain Maarjte Paumen. Carlien and Maartje each scored a goal in the gold medal game.
As Jean Ann Esselink observes in The New Civil Rights Movement, openly gay and lesbian athletes have thus far won nine medals, including six gold, one silver, and two bronze. "It's quite an impressive medal count for a contingent of only twenty-four out gay athletes," she remarked.
Alas, Matthew Mitcham, who earned a gold medal in the ten meter platform diving competition in 2008, will not be medaling in London. To the disappointment of millions of his fans, the Australian diver, who is suffering from an abdominal injury, failed to qualify for the finals.
Megan Rapinoe was featured in a segment of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams on August 10, 2012.
Mitcham, who is an ambassador for the Gay Games, recently released a video promoting the Gay Games scheduled for Cleveland in August 2014.
learn more about glbtq contact us advertise on glbtq.com
glbtq™ and its logo are trademarks of glbtq, Inc.
This site and its contents Copyright © 2002-2013, glbtq, Inc.