Gay and Lesbian Issues - Gender Identity in Gumbys Adventures :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Gay and Lesbian Issues - Gender Identity in Gumbys AdventuresWhen Jerry Falwells buttoned-up paper outted Tinky-Winky (the purple Teletubby) as being risible, 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 a couple of(prenominal) unfamiliar with the BBC/PBS show asked the question, how green goddess you even tell if Tinky-Winkys manly? Brushed off by about fans as a guileless inquiry, this concern does merit discussion. How do we, as television viewers, determine grammatical gender identities for non-human characters? How is this complicated for childrens characters? Some convictions obvious cues are given to viewers. For instance, Mickey and Minnie lift are undeniably male and effeminate. Due to current moral standards (at the time of Mickeys and Minnies creation, but excessively now), genitalia is not graphically d isplayed 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 eer the case. Minnie is almost al counsellings 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 traditional females. It is not Steamboat Minnie. Minnie does not break each 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 a large for the occasional cameo. plainly 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 theyll like answer that Gumby and Pokey are boys. How can they tell? How do they determine those assignments? Defining GooGoo, from Gumbys Adventures, is Gumbys closest female friend (non-family member). Her blue body is shaped like a ball up between a seal and a raindrop. Long blond bull (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 around her that truly identity her as girl and thus Other.