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Jessica Labonog

Professor Batty

English 102

13 December 2019

Light Breaking Through Clouded Judgement

When I hear the term queer, I envision an individual who can be themselves with no

restraints or restrictions. They can be whoever they wish to be because it is their right as a human

being. Gender and sexuality merge into one when discussing the term queer, and it has become

very prevalent in today’s literary pieces. Tony Kushner, author of the play Angels in America,

chose to introduce gender, sexuality and everything in between in his play. This particular play

touches base on important themes such as AIDS, homosexuality, religion, the struggle with faith,

and the struggle with the self. Kushner is successful as he ties all of these themes together into a

play taking place in New York City in 1985. Times were different back then. Sexuality was

looked down upon, AIDS was looked down upon, and there were only two kinds of gender. This

play introduces the transition between the times, and it allows the audience to have an open

mindset when talking about important matters. While many will say this play focuses primarily

on the daily lives of New Yorkers, Angels in America uses queer identity and religion to

normalize variant gender and sexuality identities as well as bring important matters to light. This

play reminds those who identify with these categories that they are not alone, and they will rise

from all the hate this world may direct their way.

Queer identity is an umbrella term sexual and gender minority who are not heterosexual

or cisgender. This includes individuals who are gay, bi, lesbian, transgender and every other kind

of sexual orientation and gender the universe has to offer. With the term queer, everyone under
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that umbrella is equal. In the play, Prior Walter is a gay male who was formerly a drag queen. To

Prior, becoming a drag queen is such a memorable, exhilarating moment. Unfortunately, he is

battling with AIDS throughout the play. During an early scene in the play, Prior lets his

boyfriend Louis know about his condition. “I can’t find a way to spare you, baby. No wall like

the wall of hard scientific fact. K.S. Wham. Bang your head on that.” (Kushner 19) Kushner

allows the audience to know that Prior remains his true, sarcastic self despite all the hardships he

faces. His resilience is powerful, and it feels as though he is an icon for many other queer

individuals. They must own who they are with great pride and integrity. In a scholarly journal by

David Blazar, Blazar shares his experience with his twelfth-grade class as they discuss Angels in

America. During a preliminary open discussion, Blazar’s students shared some reactions,

opinions, and stereotypes about gay people. Some referred to gay men as only wearing pink

clothes while going to beauty salons and talking like girls. These stereotypes were diminished as

soon as the class continued to read through the play. Blazar stated that because Angels in

America is such an interactive play, it allowed his students to discuss and overturn their

stereotypes. This play is subverting binaries and is bringing queer identity to light. Kushner

normalizes drag queens and homosexual men in his play because it deserves to be as normalized

as heterosexual men and women. There is no limit as to what should be considered normal.

Queer identity should be accepted by society, yet there are many outside forces that are trying to

bring them down. Queer individuals must join forces and rise above.

While Judaism and Mormonism are discussed in this play, the characters who represent

these religions are connected in a unique way. Louis Ironson is a Jewish male and he is the

boyfriend of Prior. Louis holds his Jewish faith very close to his heart. When he first found out

about Prior’s AIDS diagnosis, he spoke with a Rabbi. This was his attempt to connect with his
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religion and ask a Rabbi for advice. Unfortunately for him, the Rabbi offered very little advice.

Kushner uses Louis’s encounter with his own religion to bring Judaism to light. In a scholarly

journal by Ranen Omer-Sherman, the author talks about Kushner and his own background, and

how he incorporates his “consciousness” into the play. “In this crucial sense, Kushner’s post-

Holocaust consciousness encompasses the prophetic relationship between Judaism and social

change as well as the violent consequences that always follow when the dominant culture fails in

its empathy with the Other within.” (Omer-Sherman) Kushner incorporates his own mindset into

his play in order to bring the play to life. He makes his play relevant to modern times and

pressing issues. In this case, gender and sexuality with the inclusion of religion is a major theme

in this play. Joe is a dedicated Mormon man who is faithful to his wife and God. But when his

wife asks him if he is a homosexual, his entire life changes. He is battling with his identity and is

contemplating whether he should follow his heart or his religion. Angels in America allows the

audience to reflect with Joe as he faces this identity crisis. Being gay is against the Mormon

religion and it may have been easy for Joe to follow these ideals; yet Joe himself is attracted to

men and is now beginning to lose sight of his religion. While this may be tough for Joe to put

into action, I believe that if he really puts his mind to it, he will find himself and become happy

with who he is at heart. His judgement in the play is clouded by friends, family, religion, and

other outside sources. Once all of these variables are cleared from his mind, he will find the

answer he is looking for.

Some may say that Angels in America is a play that tells about the lives of average New

York residents. They may believe that Prior, Joe, and Louis are all normal civilians who really

have no importance. AIDS is a very unfortunate epidemic that affects the lives of many people.

So why do the characters in this play hold such great significance? Their actions will affect the
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entire world. Every decision these characters make will have a great influence on themselves and

those around them. Each character in the play is fighting their own demons, and as they come

together, their stories align and intertwine with each other. This play is symbolic of rising above.

The audience may find themselves relate to Joe, Prior, Harper, or even Louis at times. This

validation that they are not alone will brighten lives a little more. This play messy, confusing,

and emotional just like life. Despite the bad things people will endure throughout their lifetime,

there is always an opportunity to rise and do better for themselves. So yes, while all these

characters may just be regular residents on New York City, their stories hold great power and

wisdom that may help others.

Angels in America has touched the lives of everyone who has read it. Whether the

theme was homosexuality, religion, an identity crisis, or even a break from a tough relationship,

everyone could find something to relate to. This play is very versatile and has touched the lives

of many individuals. The first performance in this play was in 1991 and gender and sexuality has

become a big part of society since then. Gender, sexuality, and queer identity are now topics of

discussion in many work places, classrooms, and homes. Kushner’s play allowed society to

advance towards the normalization of gender and sexuality. He brought many important issues to

light and managed to tie that into a performance. This play allows us to appreciate what we have

and prepare for whatever life may throw at us. Though it may be hard, we must also accept

ourselves for who we are and what we enjoy. Everyone is battling with their own demons, and in

a play about angels, we are taught that we must be mindful and conscious about our thoughts and

actions towards others.

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Works Cited

David Blazar. “Self-Discovery through Character Connections: Opening up to Gayness in Angels in

America.” The English Journal, vol. 98, no. 4, 2009, p. 77. EBSCOhost,

library.lavc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsjsr&AN=e

dsjsr.40503269&site=eds-live.

Kushner, Tony. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. New York: Theatre

Communications Group, 1993. Print.

Omer-Sherman, Ranen. “Jewish/Queer: Thresholds of Vulnerable Identities in Tony

Kushner’s Angels in America.” Shofar, no. 4, 2007, p. 78. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsglr&AN=edsgcl.167378842&site=

eds-live.