Queer Resilience:
Creative Work
01
But I’m A Cheerleader (dir. Jamie Babbit, 1999)
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) is the feature-length directorial debut of Jamie Babbit, written by Brian Wayne Peterson (Maskell). The film follows teenager Megan (Natasha Lyonne), who is confronted by her friends and family with the accusation that she is a lesbian and is sent to a conversion therapy program, True Directions. Although in denial at first, Megan begins to realize her sexuality and develops a crush and relationship with Graham (Clea DuVall), a fellow teen and program participant. The film concludes happily for all characters involved, making it an instant cult classic within the queer community due to its candy-
colored world with over-the-top characters that depicts a heteronormative society attempting to suppress youths’ queerness and self-expression (Maskell). Despite these homophobic and heteronormative forces, Megan learns to accept her sexuality and love herself for who she is without sacrificing her identity. There is a scene approximately halfway through the film [43:36-49:31], wherein the True Directions teens sneak out of the program for one night to visit a gay bar. This scene is the one where Megan and Graham fully realize their feelings for each other and kiss for the first time—an innocent kiss showcasing young love. This depiction of lesbianism was extremely abnormal for the time, as up until this point in the film industry, lesbians only existed to serve a few functions, primarily to scare young girls of their sexuality or to act as sexual fodder (Morris 114). This makes But I’m a Cheerleader even more unique by defying the norms of what had been laid out in the movie industry and depicting happy young lesbians who were looking forward to any future they had together, enabling its viewers to imagine positive lesbian futures—a truly positive showcase of queer resilience.
02
Supermodel (You Better Work) by RuPaul (1993)
RuPaul's 1992 single "Supermodel (You Better Work)" would go on to become a groundbreaking anthem for the queer community, especially in
a period when LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream media was sparse (Gonzalez). Coming at the height of the AIDS epidemic, the song was a bold celebration of self-expression and confidence and thus gave a message of resiliency and pride from a queer community that has been
greatly marginalized and silenced. RuPaul's glamorous, unapologetic persona challenged the norms of gender and brought drag culture into the public eye in a way both joyous and empowering. It would be in its catchy phrase, "You better work!"-a rallying cry and affirmation of self-approbation that urges queer people to get out, show off their identity, talent, and beauty in spite of the stigma attached to it. Still, besides the musical importance of this song, "Supermodel (You Better Work)" represents something more: a symbol of empowerment and representation. The song marked one of the first times a drag queen had reached mainstream success and reached audiences on MTV and in pop culture (Gonzalez). This helped forge a path to a larger acceptance of queer art and performance, proving that drag can be glamorous, creative, and powerful. For many in the queer community today, the song is not only about individuality but also serves as a reminder of hard-won perseverance and self-love in the face of persecution. Decades later, its influence still echoes through queer culture and popular media, from Pride celebrations to RuPaul's own legacy as a global icon (Stubbs).
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03
Vogue (1990) by Madonna
Madonna's 1990 hit single "Vogue" was a watershed moment in pop music and a milestone for queer culture, as she brought this underground dance art of voguing, born from Black and Latino ballroom culture in New York City, to the world stage. For Madonna, this would represent an homage to a dance he had been inspired to see in the ballroom scene from Harlem. By bringing visibility to an underground form of queer performance, Madonna used her celebrity to celebrate the creativity, confidence, and resilience of queer performers who had always existed
on society's margins. As one strikes a pose, there is a powerful message of self-expression and pride in the song that helped turn an underground queer performance into an international phenomenon. At a time when the AIDS crisis continued to devastate the community, "Vogue" served as a form of empowerment, honoring the artistry and strength of those often ignored by mainstream media. Apart from popularizing voguing, "Vogue" also cemented Madonna's status as a staunch ally to the queer world. Madonna worked closely with ballroom dancers, the majority of whom were queer people of color, and brought them into the mainstream through her Blond Ambition tour and the music video (directed by David Fincher). But more than performance, her affinity extended to the communities. She spoke of queer rights and HIV/AIDS awareness when few celebrities would even dare to (Garcia). Such cultural fusion in "Vogue" legitimized queer art in popular culture and elicited future generations of artists to loudly express themselves in diversity and individuality (Bailey). Decades later, it lives on in music, fashion, and dance, so "Vogue" can be considered both a pop masterpiece and a permanent tribute to queer creativity (Feldman).
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04
"Fast Car" by Tracy
Chapman
“Fast Car” is a folk song that was released in April of 1988. The song was sung by American singer songwriter Tracy Chapman. The song was the lead single on Chapman’s self-titled debut album. The singer was raised in a working class background in Cleveland, Ohio which is one of the few things that the public knows about her. She has been known to intentionally avoid
the spotlight, despite her music gaining buzz and critical acclaim. While it was not an explicitly queer song, “Fast Car” has been adopted as an LGBTQ+ anthem, especially for lesbians and sapphics. The song muses about a simple life with everyday problems and everyday happenings, which for many, is what makes it so appealing. In the song, Chapman sings about wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle with her lover and make a name for herself elsewhere. This story has resonated with a great deal of queer people, especially those that hail from small towns. The song peaked at #6 on the US Billboard chart in the same year of its release, so it is safe to say that people enjoyed hearing what Chapman had to say. It also gained a new influx of attention after being covered by Luke Combs and performed at the 2023 Grammy Awards. “Fast Car” may not be a song that explicitly expresses love between two women, but its simultaneous simplicity and artistry performed by the lesbian artist makes it a track that has truly stood the test of time.