Cierra Olivia Thomas-Williams

G102- Sexual Politics

January 17, 2008
Lesson Plan Week 2

Set up

1. Fix my email address: CTHOMASW@INDIANA.EDU

2. For people who missed this have them do name tags:

Name “Tags”
Name on one side (LARGE)/answer questions on back
Name
Year
Major/Minor
Pet Peeves Classroom
Fav. TV show/book/movie

(pass out pens/cards) Put them on the desk

Class

3. Exchange emails with someone for notes. I wish I could take care of it for you,
but I can’t.

4. My email address on your syllabus.

5. Next session is on BH 003, because we are graciously hosting Aimee’s section

to our viewing of the 2nd half of Middle Sexes.

6. Good news, bad news first?

o Take out a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.
o The good news is that you are getting the opportunity to distinguish
yourselves. The bad news is that could go either way.
o The other good news is that you can get extra credit if you attend the pride
film festival, provide me with proof, and write a one page reflection on how
what you saw relates to something you have read for the class or a
lecture. www.pridefilmfestival.org

1) Pop Quiz

2) Review answers.

3) Review Key Terms/lecture (ask anything)

4) Do examples:
Gender roles (But I’m a Cheerleader) – 2:55: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2PF6NrkKCYo&feature=related

Use this one - Gay relationships

(final step b4 graduation) - Simulation of Sexual Relationship: (But I’m a Cheerleader):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inBN6Nkx7PQ&feature=related (ff 1 minute)

But I'm a Cheerleader is a 1999 satirical romantic comedy film directed by Jamie
Babbit and written by Brian Wayne Peterson. Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan
Bloomfield, an apparently happily heterosexual high school cheerleader. However,
her friends and family are convinced that she is a homosexual and arrange an
intervention, sending her to a reparative therapy camp to cure her lesbianism. At
camp, Megan soon realizes that she is indeed a lesbian and, despite the therapy,
gradually comes to embrace this fact. The supporting cast features Clea DuVall,
Cathy Moriarty, RuPaul, Mink Stole and Bud Cort.
But I'm a Cheerleader was Babbit's first feature film. It was inspired by an article
about conversion therapy and her childhood familiarity with rehabilitation programs.
She used the story of a young woman finding her sexual identity to explore the
social construction of gender roles and heteronormativity. The costume and set
design of the film highlighted these themes using artificial textures in intense blues
and pinks.
When it was initially rated as NC-17 by the MPAA, Babbit made cuts to allow it to be
re-rated as R. When interviewed in the documentary film This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Babbit criticized the MPAA for discriminating against films with homosexual content.
The film was not well received by critics who compared it unfavorably to the films of
John Waters and criticized the colorful production design. The lead actors were
praised for their performances but some of the characters were described as
stereotypical.

What gender/sexual norms did you see?

How were they enforced?
How were they challenged?