MEDIA AND HOMOSEXUALITY

"I wish I knew how to quit you."

-Jack Twist, Brokeback Mountain 2005

In society’s norms, gender is identified as either female or male only. But in today’s culture, there are people who have transformed their own genders into opposite roles and/ or who grow attracted to people who have the same gender as their own. This is called homosexuality and is defined as is the condition of "sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one's own sex. People who have such tendencies have been identified or called as gays or homosexuals. These people are often misjudged in society and often shunned among traditional people because of their eccentric views on relationships. This media log is all about the 2005 movie, “Brokeback Mountain”, and is directed by Ang Lee. It is about two men who engage in a complex and sexual relationship in the 1960s and so on, and how they struggle to keep their relationship a secret and to keep their lives in a normal way. This movie shows the issue being discussed above, which is the homosexuality of a person.

This movie was shown in 2005 and has gained several comments regarding its vulgar exposure on the taboo subject of homosexuality. The movie in itself was for me, a masterpiece because of the way it showed homosexuality in a perspective that people can relate upon and to evaluate the relevance of homosexuality in society. The director’s technique in portraying this social issue was creative and in a way, makes the viewers become more accustomed to the idea of people having an interest for the same sex. The whole movie was circled on the concept of a secret and forbidden love, but cannot be stopped and I liked how the movie shows how people can meet their true love in such unexpected occurrences. There was only some problem with the transition of the story, wherein some scenes were left vague that made me confused and think if this was a relevant part of the main plot. But aside from that, I really think that this movie has touched me and my perspective on homosexuals; not that I have anything against them. It just goes to show that homosexuality is more than the sexual relationship in it, but also finding the comfort that you need in a person that you have the same gender with. It might be the problem of having found your soulmate, the one you want to spend the rest of your life with, who is the same gender as yours.

The movie made me feel sad because it was a love they never fully explored because society denies them to do so. It might be wrong for other cultures for this to happen but I think that as long as no one is getting hurt or being abused, then being a homosexual should not be a problem. Other people might see the movie as ignorant, impossible and confusing because of the main topic, being homosexuality. Some people do not accept this condition or this new found gender as acceptable in society and might find this movie an abomination to them. Such taboo subject, especially during the time it was released, would probably have received negative comments and insulting remarks. But I think that some people would also realize the seriousness of the plot in the movie, and how it is applicable to society. However, even with these different views from different people with different cultural background, I think that this movie has captured the essence of showing the masses the importance and the seriousness of a social issue. Having been able to incorporate a taboo subject into a blockbuster film is the best way to reach out to the people and call their attention to what could be considered as morally right.

How about you?

Ready to go brokeback?

*images came from the internet, I do not claim ownership over them