Problematyka dyskryminacji i uprzedzeń wobec osób o odmiennej orientacji seksualnej na przykładzie filmów "Tajemnica Brokeback Mountain" (Brokeback Mountain) oraz "Wszystko w porządku" (The Kids are all right)

Abstract

Persons with a psychosexual orientation differing form the dominant heterosexual pattern are, like many other minority groups, exposed to social exclusion, stigmatisation and stereotyping. During the last century the knowledge about the phenomenon of homosexuality has been considerably broadened, allowing for us to assert that it is not an illness. Unfortunately, this knowledge is not common. In the social awareness, homosexuality is often associated with a sexual identity or sexual preference disorder. It is also being connected with the occurrence of mental health problems. Since it is especially the young people who need sexual education, a film seems to be a perfect medium for spreading the knowledge concerning these topics. Moreover, as an element of culture, it portrays the mindsets and worldview characteristic for a broader community in which it originated. The purpose of this study is to establish whether, and to what degree, popular cinematic portrayals concerning homosexuality contribute to the consolidation of negative stereotyping of persons with differing sexual orientations. Its aim is also to point out the possibilities of utilising the aforementioned films in educational work. Two selected mainstream films have been subjected to qualitative analysis: “Brokeback Mountain” (Canada, USA 2005, directed by Ang Lee, 134 min), and “The Kids Are All Right” (USA 2010, directed by Lisa Cholodenko, 104 min). The selection was made consciously, with respect to the topics raised in the films and their artistic value. The subject of the analysis was narrowed down to the depiction of homosexual persons. The analysed movies provide a multidimensional presentation of homosexual persons. Their characteristics are not focused exclusively on the way of satisfying the sexual desire. Despite that, they are not free from stereotypical oversimplification.