HISTORY OF HOMOSEXUALITY: General/Film

History of Homosexuality
General social attitudes towards same-sex relationships have varied over time and place. Homosexuality was seen as a psychiatric disorder for many years, although the studies for this theory were later found to be flawed.

 In 1973 homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness in the UK. In 1986 all references to homosexuality as a psychiatric disorder were removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association.

The early years of Hollywood, from the 1890s to the 1930s homosexuality was rarely depicted on the screen. When it did appear, it was there as something to laugh at, ‘sure-fire source of humour, object of ridicule’, or something to pity, or even something to fear in some cases. ‘Hollywood taught straight people what to think about gay people... and gay people what to think about themselves in a sense’

It was also in this time a character of the what Hollywood called the ‘sissy’ was popular, such a character was a source of amusement and reassurance for the audience. The sissy was not seen as a threatening representation of homosexuality because ‘he occupied a middle ground between masculinity and femininity.’

From the 1930s to the 1950s, religious and women’s groups criticized Hollywood films for contributing to immorality. As a result, the industry introduced a self-censorship code that affected the portrayal of homosexuality. During these years, films could not feature openly homosexual characters—so homosexuality was implied through a character’s mannerisms and behaviour.

In the 1960s and 1970s,  the event of the women’s movement and the gay rights movement began. While gays and lesbians were becoming more visible and vocal in public life, their representation in films was becoming even more homophobic. At this time, gay characters were often represented as dangerous, violent, or murderous.

It was only in the mid '80s a change hit American theatres, foreign films with gay male protagonists and clear depictions of gay male sexuality began filling theatres across America, getting good reviews and doing well at the box office.

Since the 1990s, Hollywood has improved its portrayal of gay and lesbian characters. But despite these advances, critics say that ‘the industry is still too cautious in its portrayals of gay themes, characters, and experiences.’ Hollywood films are designed to appeal to as large an audience as possible; and producers fear that focusing on gay and lesbian themes risks offending a large portion of the audience, as well as potential investors.

Examples of early movies lesbian, gay or transgender related movies:

• Lot in Sodom (1993) The movie uses experimental techniques, Avant-Garde imagery and strong allusions to sexuality, especially homosexuality.
• A Florida Enchantment (1914)
• Go Fish (1994 American lesbian-themed independent drama film that tells the story of the interrelationships of a small group of lesbian friends in Chicago. Includes a number of discussions on lesbian issues, dream sequences, commentary that breaks the fourth wall.
• My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
• Philadelphia (1993) American drama film that was one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDS, homosexuality and homophobia.
• The Children's Hour (1961)  The film is based on the play The Children's Hour. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine play school teachers falsely accused of having lesbian relationship; one of them realizes that she is in love with the other.
  Desert Hearts (1985) lesbian-themed romantic drama film.
• The Leather Boys (1964) British drama film about the rocker subculture in London featuring a gay motorcyclist. This film is notable as an early example of a film that violated the Hollywood production code, yet was still shown in the United States, as well as an important film in the genre of gay cinema.

By Tosin