Ok this isn’t an LGBTQI movie, but it’s a bunch of half-naked men… I’m sure there are plenty of you here who are into that. I mean, have you SEEN Channing Tatum’s abs?
What I like about this movie is the fact that it is the men who are being objectified. Which makes a nice change from women being seen as sexual objects to be used. These male strippers take off their clothes for women’s pleasure. Females are even presented as sexual beings! Because, you know, women have libidos too.
Mike (Channing Tatum) is an amazing male stripper, who helps the new kid learn the tricks of the trade. Like how to take his clothes off and move his hips and dance sexy.
I’m not going to say that this movie is the ‘women’s sexual liberation’…far from it. If you read into it you’ll probably see the male superiority complex (‘you got the cock, they don’t’) ….so watch this movie on a night off, when you just want to watch a bunch of guys dance while half naked.
If you haven’t heard of faking it, then sit your ass in front of your computer screen [oh right you’re already doing that…] and download the entire series!
But first, some backstory: Amy (played by the gorgeous Rita Volk) and Karma (played by the equally gorgeous Katie Stevens) are best friends. Like, utter best friends. Like, the kind of best friends you wish you could have but never will cause you’re not Rita nor Katie.
Anywayyy
Amy and Karma aren’t that popular [read: at all] – which is strange cause…look at them. But Karma desperately wants to be popular, so she drags Amy to a huge party. At the party, Shane (Michael J. Willet) – who is probably the most fabulous gay man on television right now – mistakes Amy and Karma for lesbian lovers. I mean, they’re always together, they’re quiet, and Amy’s got a real butch style going on…so really, who could blame him. So what does this fabulous gay boy do? He publicly outs them, in the hope of helping them come to terms with their sexuality.
Instantly people rejoice. Probably important to note here that this school is like, super gay friendly. It’s the ‘cool thing’ to be out and proud here. Homophobia is like, so a millenium ago.
damn you KARMY
Karma embraces her newfound popularity, especially since it helped her catch the eye of Liam Booker (read: booger), played by Gregg Sulkin, who apparently is the high school heartbreaker. So she begs Amy to pretend to be her lesbian lover. At first Amy just doesn’t want to go along with the lie, it’s too much of a drag…until she kisses Karma at the school assembly…fireworks go off, signalling the start of one of the best love triangles ever.
Heteronormativity – The assumption that everyone we meet is heterosexual (straight). This can be done consciously or subconsciously. If you’re a straight female and the first thing you think when you see a handsome man is ‘I wonder if he has a girlfriend’, then you’re thinking in a heteronormative way – you think he is straight. This can be subconscious, cause let’s face it, you kinda are hope he’s striaght.
Cisnormativity – the assumption that everyone you meet is cisgender. This means that those people’s sex and gender match. Ie. Born biologically male and identifies as male as well. If you see a guy in trousers and automatically assume he’s cisgender then you cisnormative.
Ok, now I’m not saying that every time you meet someone new you have to analyse them. No way. But generally that’s what we do, we analyse people: good dressers, clean hair, neat, fashionable, voice intonation – we judge the person based on everything we can see and hear.
What we rarely seem to think is : I wonder if they identify as queer. Usually what happens is: they look like a girl, so girl; they look like a boy, so boy. When really this is all bogus. Yes, everyone would like to assume that people who are not cisgender would look it. We focus on how well they can ‘pass’ or be ‘read’. But what about people who are non-binary? therefore don’t identify as male or female? Maybe they are somewhere in the middle, or completely off the spectrum? The person may look feminine, may wear skirts, but that person is not necessarily cisgender.
So lesson 1: don’t assume people are straight or cisgender – your best friend could be homosexual or trans/queer, so can your teacher, or the person you sat next to on the bus.
Now, why is it a problem if people are heteronormative or cisnormative?
Well, a variety of reasons.
1. Don’t make coming out harder than it already is. By being assumed to be one way, people find it even harder to reveal their true selves because they feel that they are not matching the expectations of the people around them. So make it easier for the people you care about who may be desperately trying to come out to you: don’t assume.
2. It friggen hurts. As someone who isn’t ‘out’ as non-binary, it’s annoying/hurtful for me to be referred to as a female (born biologically female). Even though I dress quite androgynously, no one ever thinks that I could be queer. Instead, they automatically assume I am lesbian.. which I’m not. I’m pansexual.
3. The assumption game is always wrong. Assuming is one of the worst things we can do as people. Othello assumed he could trust Iago, he assumed his wife was cheating on him…well that didn’t end well. Romeo assumed that Juliet was dead when in reality she was passed out from that drug she took. You assumed your friend or partner meant one thing when they really said something else, and a fight ensued.
Assuming is never helpful, to anyone. If in doubt, ask. I’d rather have people ask me what I identify as, rather than take being a girl as a given.
This is the same for intersex people. Intersex means having genitals which are “intermediate between male and female”. What happens is when the baby is born, a gender is chosen for them, to quote Masters of Sex “A hole is easier than a pole”. So these children would grow up to be perceived/assumed as a particular gender, when in reality they would not identify that way. By assuming they are a particular gender you are cancelling out a part of their existence.
Lesson 2: Don’t assume – yes I know this is same as lesson 1, but seriously can’t stress it enough.
So it’s been a while since I wrote anything, mainly because it’s summer, which contrary to popular customs, means that I work two jobs and take care of the house, among other things.
But the great thing about summer is that I can also watch a movie at the most odd hours and no one would even bat an eye. So here, in no particular order, is a list of my favourite lady-loving movies:
1. I Can’t Think Straight
If this movie doesn’t make a list such as this one, then obviously that person has no idea what they’re saying. This film takes a lighter tone, incorporating that bollywood style of humour which is impossible not to laugh at.
The story centers around Tala, who is about to be married for like, the millionth time, and Leyla, a budding author who is dating a really nice guy.
Typical to most romance stories depicted in movies, Leyla and Tala don’t really see eye to eye the first time they meet, but because Leyla’s boyfriend is one of Tala’s close friends she decides to make an effort to get to know her. The result? Well… you’ll just have to watch
2. Imagine me and you
Another lighthearted movie that should be in every single top lesbian movies list. And not just because Lena Headey, the out lesbian and flower shop owner is in it. You may know her as the wine-drinking, manipulative Cercei in Game of Thrones, but here she is Luce, sweet, kind, and incredibly sexy.
Luce meets Rachel at Rachel’s Wedding and Rachel’s husband attempts to set her up with his best man…inviting her to dinner which quickly becomes awkward when Luce reveals that men are definitely not her type.
3. Loving Annabelle
If you’re a ‘forbidden love’ junkie like me, then you’re going to love this movie. Not only is the forbidden love lesbian, it is also a student-teacher relationship. What’s more, it’s quite quotable. Definitely a must-see.
4. But I’m a Cheerleader
Before becoming the beloved inmate Nicky in Orange is the New Black, Natasha Lyonne was portraying a cheerleader…who was also a very closeted lesbian. This movie plays heavily on stereotypes, mainly…’I’m a cheerleader, so I can’t be gay!’ So long as you can view this as the comedy and parody it was meant to be, then this is definitely one that will keep you laughing till tears roll down your eyes. Plus…Natasha was so cute when she was younger.. it’s no surprise why she’s so incredibly hot now.
5. The four-faced liar
This lesbian drama centres on a group of 4 friends, a heterosexual couple, a heterosexual male who constantly has issues with is girlfriend, and his very-out-and-proud lesbian best friend. This type of movie will definitely get you thinking about the risks we take in life and the consequences of our actions.
6. Show me love/ Fucking Amal
This Swedish movie is way better than you’d initially think. The girls look quite young so not a movie for those who are only interested in the hardcore scenes (seriously, is that ALL you care about?)
The movie is about Elin, a closeted lesbian in love with the most popular girl in school. But there is a problem, this girl has a boyfriend…and Elin is the least popular girl.
7. The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love
Now I don’t know if it really is a ‘True’ adventure but I do know that it’s an incredible story, and some things will definitely ring as true for most. Also, not only does movie deal with the pressures of a lesbian relationship, but also an interracial one. And if this weren’t enough, Laurel Holloman (the L word) is one of the main characters.
8. Elena Undone
This movie holds the longest onscreen kiss in a movie. So if you’re into that kind of thing, then download now! If you need more tempting: it’s about 2 very different women who become fast friends. One who is an out-lesbian and author, and another who is an open-minded pastor’s wife. But Elena starts to realise that she’s falling for her new friend, and that new feelings are emerging which she had never given into before. But how can she ever tell her homophobic and highly religious husband?
9. Nina’s Heavenly Delights
It’s a movie about love, and food. ‘Nuff said.
Also.. look at those faces!
10. Yes or No
This thai movie follows 2 new roommates who are polar opposites of one another. One is tidy, and one is messy, one is a typical tomboy and the other a huge femme. One is an amazing cook, the other can barely make rice. A heart-warming story about accepting your own prejudices and working on them to become a better person…and find love.
Also, if you love the movie as much as you should, there is also a Yes or No 2 🙂
Ps: the movie is available on youtube with English subs.. doesn’t get better than that!
If you have any other titles which you loved and think should be in the list, let me know in the comments!
Nonbinary in a binary world 