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 ordinarily 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 unfamiliar with(predicate) with the BBC/PBS show asked the question, how can you even tell if Tinky-Winkys anthropoid? Brushed off by most fans as a naive inquiry, this concern does deservingness 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 indicator of physical identity, which may 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 unceasingly 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 handed-down 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. just now 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 they ll like answer that Gumby and Pokey are boys. How can they tell? How do they determine those assignments? Defining slimeGoo, from Gumbys Adventures, is Gumbys closest female friend (non-family member). Her grim 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 slightly her that truly identity her as girl and thus Other.