Papers by Valeria Del Castillo
The New Birmingham Review, vol 2, no 1, Jul 2015
Binormativity refers to the normalisation of a certain standard of bisexuality against which all ... more Binormativity refers to the normalisation of a certain standard of bisexuality against which all other forms of bisexuality are measured. Through a Foucauldian discourse analysis of media representations of bisexuality, this study examines how these depictions reproduce binormativity in
American scripted television series using Callie Torres from Grey’s Anatomy and Oberyn Martell from Game Of Thrones as case studies. These binormative representations privilege discourses of gendernormativity, coupling and family, and white supremacy over competing discourses, such as non-monogamy, gender non-conformity, and alternative relationship and family arrangements. Callie and Oberyn exemplify how current media representations of bisexuality seek to
personify, symbolise, and sustain the hegemonic position ‘the normal gay’ upholds in both scripted series and our society. As a result, binormative representations align with homonormative values of integrating gay and lesbian individuals into society without challenging its heteronormative order. Binormativity seeks the assimilation of bisexuality into society to gain acceptance; therefore, actively marginalising and erasing from our screens (and our imaginations) the possibility for bisexuality to transgress mainstream gender, sexual, and racial codes. Consequently, binormativity has two unavoidable effects. Firstly, it maintains a deceivingly unified and homogenous LGBTQ movement that only caters to the interests of homonormative gays and lesbians. Secondly, it reifies hierarchies within the LGBTQ movement where other non-normative gender and sexualities are marginalised and deemed non-existent.
Blogging by Valeria Del Castillo
Queering Your Lens encourages the reader to see the world anew by putting on queer and critical l... more Queering Your Lens encourages the reader to see the world anew by putting on queer and critical lenses, challenging the reality that we usually take for granted. It aims to inform the reader about the complexity, fluidity and plurality of identity, and how we – as human beings – are far too complex to fit in rigid categorical boxes and previously scripted social expectations.
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Papers by Valeria Del Castillo
American scripted television series using Callie Torres from Grey’s Anatomy and Oberyn Martell from Game Of Thrones as case studies. These binormative representations privilege discourses of gendernormativity, coupling and family, and white supremacy over competing discourses, such as non-monogamy, gender non-conformity, and alternative relationship and family arrangements. Callie and Oberyn exemplify how current media representations of bisexuality seek to
personify, symbolise, and sustain the hegemonic position ‘the normal gay’ upholds in both scripted series and our society. As a result, binormative representations align with homonormative values of integrating gay and lesbian individuals into society without challenging its heteronormative order. Binormativity seeks the assimilation of bisexuality into society to gain acceptance; therefore, actively marginalising and erasing from our screens (and our imaginations) the possibility for bisexuality to transgress mainstream gender, sexual, and racial codes. Consequently, binormativity has two unavoidable effects. Firstly, it maintains a deceivingly unified and homogenous LGBTQ movement that only caters to the interests of homonormative gays and lesbians. Secondly, it reifies hierarchies within the LGBTQ movement where other non-normative gender and sexualities are marginalised and deemed non-existent.
Blogging by Valeria Del Castillo
American scripted television series using Callie Torres from Grey’s Anatomy and Oberyn Martell from Game Of Thrones as case studies. These binormative representations privilege discourses of gendernormativity, coupling and family, and white supremacy over competing discourses, such as non-monogamy, gender non-conformity, and alternative relationship and family arrangements. Callie and Oberyn exemplify how current media representations of bisexuality seek to
personify, symbolise, and sustain the hegemonic position ‘the normal gay’ upholds in both scripted series and our society. As a result, binormative representations align with homonormative values of integrating gay and lesbian individuals into society without challenging its heteronormative order. Binormativity seeks the assimilation of bisexuality into society to gain acceptance; therefore, actively marginalising and erasing from our screens (and our imaginations) the possibility for bisexuality to transgress mainstream gender, sexual, and racial codes. Consequently, binormativity has two unavoidable effects. Firstly, it maintains a deceivingly unified and homogenous LGBTQ movement that only caters to the interests of homonormative gays and lesbians. Secondly, it reifies hierarchies within the LGBTQ movement where other non-normative gender and sexualities are marginalised and deemed non-existent.