Fashionably femme: Lesbian visibility, style, and politics in The L Word

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lesbian politics have long been underscored by a discourse of fashion and visibility. However, the very feminine fashions portrayed by characters in The L Word-the first mainstream television drama about lesbians and bisexual women-has attracted criticism of appropriating heterosexual conventions. Is such a highly stylized version of lesbian visibility still politically potent or is The L-Word simply catering to a popular demand for images of beautiful people? This chapter considers the ramifications of this affirmation of the fem(me)inine, while, in turn, exploring whether overtly feminine stylistic trends can sustain the queer and feminist political potency implied by lesbian visibility.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationQueer Popular Culture
Subtitle of host publicationLiterature, Media, Film, and Television
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Pages71-83
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9780230604384
ISBN (Print)9781403974907
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences
  • General Arts and Humanities

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