Homosexuality: Then and Now

Play vs. Film
While both Tennessee Williams' play and the movie adaptation of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are considered classic they do however bear a number of differences (as do all play/book to film adaptations). For the purposes of this website I will focus on one of the major differences, Brick's sexuality. While people continue to debate wither or not Brick is homosexual, the film adaptation conceals his sexuality and focuses Brick and Maggie's marital problems on an affair between Maggie and Brick's best friend, Skipper. Williams' play makes it clear that Brick has never been sexually interested in Maggie, even before the affair and Skipper's suicide. Although Williams never made the issue as plain as black and white, Brick's homosexual feeling towards Skipper can be found by reading between the lines. Now, the cause of Brick's pain and suffering can be translated many different ways and Williams ends his play with no real answers. Some think Brick is straight, that his gilt for Skipper's death is simply because he turned down Skipper when he needed him the most (a phone conversation between them shortly before Skipper commit suicide). Brick's friendship and love for Skipper can also be interrupted as a lack of his father's (Big Daddy) love and finding a replacement for this love in Skipper. However, it is made abundantly clear that Skipper was a weak untalented individual who leaned on Brick like a crutch. This leads to the conclusion that Brick's love for Skipper is not a fatherly replacement, but rather something else altogether. Besides, why would Maggie be jealous of Skipper if he was just Brick's best friend or even somewhat of a father figure or replacement?

Now, the movie adaptation of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof conceals Brick's implied homosexual. For the film, anything that could be used to question Brick's sexuality is replaced with the affair between Maggie and Skipper (as previously stated the play does not dwell on this aspect) and the lack of his father's affection. Why does the film adaptation do this? Most likely because of the time period in which it was released. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof appeared on the big screen in 1958. During this time, the subject of homosexuality was not talked about and most likely would have brought unwanted attention to the film. Even Williams' play was considered controversial, but a play can get away with more than a major motion picture can simply because the amount of moviegoers are far greater than those attending plays. More or less, a play can sneak under the radar.

Since the question of Brick's sexuality is missing from the film adaptation, the ending of Williams play was also altered for the big screen. Both the play and movie apply that after the story has ended Brick and Maggie are going to attempt to conceive a child, but it is the manner in which they go about this that make them so different. In the play, Williams writes the story in a way that makes it seem that the Brick and Maggie's child to be is not exactly wanted by Brick. Maggie locks up Brick's liquor so that he will be unable to have any more until he summits to her will. Also at this time, Brick has finally found his "click", his drunken mindset that makes all the noise in his head and all of his fears and gilt leave him. This in turn makes it easier for Maggie to "have her way with him", so to speak.

The movie's conclusion is similar, but implies that Brick possibly loves her. In the movie Brick defends Maggie vocally when she announces she is pregnant with his baby and then proceeds to take her upstairs to their bedroom. He closes the door, locks it behind them, then he takes Maggie to bed. With this, the movie makes the ending a little happier and gives the impression that everything will be alright over time (including Brick and Maggie's marriage).

Homosexuality Then [1950s]
Legos, hula-hoops, and the first McDonalds, these are just some of the important occurrences in the 1950's. In 1958, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams created a controversial uproar for that time. Williams created a character that was secretly gay. Through out this time period homosexuality was not seen as a choice, but as a mental illness. Since the American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a mental disorder, many gay people hid their sexual preference from society. Homosexuals were also considered being evil, disturbed, and pathetic. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was different from any book or movie that was made in this time. Homosexuality was not seen in any books or movies. If there were supposed to be an appearance of a homosexual, they would immediately remove it.

Society was so worried about homosexuals, that in 1953 President Eisenhower gave sufficient reason to fire any federal employees from his or her job if they were homosexual. The government even went as far as putting tracers on those who they suspected as being gay. Homosexuality was something that no one wanted to admit or dare to talk about. Moreover, commercials were produced warning men of homosexuals, and their disease.

Views of homosexuals have changed since this era. Society has grown more comfortable with the thought of gay people, and homosexuals embrace their unique sexual preference, instead of hiding it. Thanks to Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and others who decided to break the barrier between homosexuals and the rest of society, homosexuality is more accepted today.

Homosexuality Now
In the recent years, homosexuality has begun its shameless effort to be noticed, tolerated, but most notably, accepted. The media has given rise to several television programs with elements of homosexuality. Shows like Will and Grace, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Grey's Anatomy include actors leading roles either playing a homosexual or live the actual lifestyle. In the beginning years of this struggle, Oprah Winfrey aided Ellen DeGeneres in presenting her homosexuality to the public. After revealing her secret, DeGeneres's television show was ended. Additionally Oprah received the most "hate" mail in her personal history. However, in the preceding years, society has slowly begun acceptance. Ellen now has her own talk show and continues to be an active voice for the gay community. As the popularity of these shows increases, awareness and open-mindedness universalizes and, in turn, the gay community comes another step closer to acceptance and justice.

Furthermore, gay acceptance is spreading into the political world as well. While political figures are known for holding widely accepted views and beliefs, one politician, Jim Neal, is taking the risk of putting his homosexuality out in the public eye. Moreover, he has made this move before voting has begun, which could lead to higher risk of losing votes of those that disapprove of his sexual orientation. Neal is challenging U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole for her seat next year. Since Dole has a household legacy, this could make it increasingly difficult to sway voters his direction. However, this also shows his strength and courage for what he is putting at risk. Although his decision may change some voters' minds, it shows that society is becoming more comfortable with the idea of homosexuality.

The UK Newsquest Regional Press and the China Post provide evidence that acceptance is growing around the world. London holds an annual Gay Pride march, which they are preparing funding for now. This even it credited with helping increase acceptance in Britain. Unfortunately, marchers in less tolerant countries, such as Russia, are still assaulted due to the reluctance of authorities to protect them.

Homosexuals from China, Singapore, and Japan march in the Gay Pride March in Taipei. This year, approximately seven thousand marched, compared to last years two thousand. Such an increase growing acceptance. After five years of activism, Taiwan's march has become the largest in Asia. One marcher, Way Chao, states, "We have to make our voices and demands heard so that the government will do more to promote gay rights." Co-organizer and secretary-general of Gender/Sexuality Rights Association of Taiwan speaks of the objective, "We urge the parliament to pass the anti-discrimination bill and the same-sex partner bill to promote gay rights." Taiwan is additional global proof of a growing acceptance of homosexuals and has been named one of the most gay-friendly cities by the U.S. gay magazine OUT.

Nature vs. Nurture
According to the biological make up of the body, children receive different traits from their parents. But where does the sense of adventure come from, or a natural talent for the piano? Was this learned over time or predetermined by the genes in the child?

The argument for Nature vs. Nurture has yet to be won. Scientist believe they have found the trait on the genes, but they also know that environment plays a role in the overall personality of a certain human being. Holy rollers will break the bible by throwing it in the faces of homosexuals, stating that they will go to hell or that they are poor sinners who need to repent. On the other hand, there are devote liberals who will lay there life on the line saying that it was never a choice, but that people are born as who they are and must abide by the desires that were predetermined.

So who is right? Will there ever be an answer? Even if scientists can prove that all homosexuals have a certain gene that makes them the way they are, would that stop the people from shouting that it is a choice? Sometimes people are born a certain way, but life experience is just as important to who you are also.

Works Consulted

Break down of Film= http://www.turnerlearning.com/tcmbythebook/stage/cat.html

Break down of Play= http://bookreviews.nabou.com/reviews/catonahottinroof.html

Break down of both though message boards: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051459/board/nest/7063984

Click here for more information

http://genealogy.about.com/cs/geneticgenealogy/a/nature_nurture.htm

http://www.livescience.com/health/060718_nature_nurture.html

http://www.faqs.org/health/Healthy-Living-V3/Mental-Health.html

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/naturenurture/

The Dependent Gene, written by David Scott Moore

Gene-Environment Processes in Social Behaviors and Relationships, written by Kirby D. Deater-Deckard.

What Makes you Who you are, written by Matt Ridley in the Time Europe journal, vol. 161 issue 22.

Nature verses Nurture by Juno Parrenas, in Lesbian News vol. 26 issue 3.

Works Cited

Robinson, B.A. "A Brief History of Professional Beliefs about
Homosexuality."
Religious Tolerance. 11 February 2006. 28 November 2007.
/www.religioustolerance.org/hom_prof.htm>.

Bonadonna, Alexa. "History Professor Discusses Media Representation
of Homosexuality." Saint Joseph's News. 2006. 28 November 2007. /www.sju.edu/ucomm/news_archives/before_brokeback_021806.html>.

Boys Beware-1950's Anti-Gay Video. Filmstrip. YouTube. 2006.
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqIIeGmhL2Q>.

"A Brief History of Homosexuality in America ." Safezone. 28 November
2007.
/safezone.slu.edu/downloads/reading.homosexuality%20in%20america.pdf>.