Queer Theory Mean Girls

Queer Theory goes against the standardized norms that we are socialized to believe is “normal.” Men are associated with the behaviors of assertiveness and dominance. Theorists questions, what is normal? Given that we have these expectations on how people should behave, we mock their behavior to let them know it is unacceptable. For example, homosexuality is seen as unacceptable and abnormal.

Homosexual discrimination plays a main part in the film, as two of the primary characters are homosexuals. The general attitude of a guy named Damian, in the film, comes across as a very gentle giant. He speaks very softly and has more of a feminine personality opposed to the very masculine personality you would expect to see. At the beginning of Mean

Queer theory criticizes this because there is only one gay male in the movie; he is seen as overly sensitive, overly sexualized, and is not very smart. Gay men are expected to act like women and to stay in the background of society without speaking out for equality. Damien’s close friend Janis is, also, the stereotypical role of a butch lesbian. Janis wears a lot of dark colored clothes and her general attitude towards others, in the school, is masculine. For example, when she is first introduced to Cady, she is shouting at some boys who were making comments about her hair. Janis does not fit into the social norms of a woman because she is not seen as attractive or having multiple friends. Janis is seen as a “weirdo and stalker” by “The Plastics” at North Shore High School; the popular girls cannot invite her anywhere because she will see them sexually. The movie presents that lesbians are hypersexual and are unrelatable to their female peers. They gave Janis an unstylish look, which made her an outcast to everyone else. Queer theory criticizes how Janis is perceived by viewers. Again, women are supposed to be hot, over-sexualized, and sensitive. A woman cannot speak up for herself against sexism and

Women, who are labeled as “butch” does not fit into society’s ideal beauty image. Later, in the movie, we find that Janis is not gay, which is surprising to the viewers. Janis being “straight” is socially acceptable, but the way she dresses is not acceptable. A lady should wear dresses, skirts, heels, make-up, etc. Queer theory condemns what we are socialized in society. Society paints this picture that a man is expected to be masculine, meaning to always be tough, do not show emotions, be dominant, etc. If we, as a society, do not accept your decisions, one is looked at as deviant. Even families can impact these decisions, in Mean Girls, at the beginning of the movie we see some children that are homeschooled. One boy says, “And