Abstract
Like all people, gay men express themselves by how they dress, and those members of the gay community who 'cross-dress' or dress 'in drag' are no exception. This paper examines how society viewed gay men in earlier days, beginning with the Berdeche of Pre-Columbian Native America, and continuing until the present day. It examines, in particular, cross-dressers and drag queens whose very act of dressing 'differently' is a symbol of pride in their unique sexuality.

From the Paper
"Charles' style of cross-dressing is as "typical" of today's queens as is his devotion to the community and to his and other gay men's hard-won rights. The queen is not merely a simple copy of a heterosexual woman; rather she is a character that is at once uniquely gay in the fashions and attitudes she represents, and in the causes she espouses. Increasingly, even heterosexuals have come to see the deeper meanings behind what were once taboo images. Authors, artists, filmmakers, and those paragons of popular culture " advertisers " reach out to gay men in ways they never have before."

Tags:gay, homosexual, hetrosexual

Abstract
This paper will argue that the depiction of Eleanor of Aquitaine (as played by Katharine Hepburn) in "The Lion in Winter" is of a much more assertive figure than the Queen Victoria (as played by Judi Dench) of "Mrs. Brown". The latter queen, for all her power, is characterized as a repressed emotional woman, while Eleanor is defined by her unconventional social and political assertiveness.

Abstract
A discussion of religious iconography as it relates to the Catholic Queens of England, Elizabeth I. and Hamlet?s Gertrude. This paper contains a discussion of the virgin-whore dichotomy as it relates to the depictions of the Catholic Queens of England and Elizabeth I. in comparison to Gertrude. It also deals with an interesting change in religious iconization as England made its movement in support of the Protestant faith. The argument defines and discusses three areas in which queens are compared to religious icons and how their success and failure in these areas establishes their places in the virgin-whore dichotomy.

From the Paper
"To give the queen the desired position in the dichotomy as the virgin, queens were often equated with religious icons, making their legacies almost saintly. These images of holiness defined both the queen's positions in the monarchy and the standards to which the future queens were held. After the fall of Catholicism in England, the iconizsation of the queen changed. Elizabeth in particular wasn't associated by allegory alone to the Virgin Mary, but rather became the Virgin Mother of England in body as well as by allegory. This strengthened both her political position and her position in the virgin-whore dichotomy of the time. By comparing Queen Elizabeth, who was seen as a saintly, virginal figure, to Shakespeare's character Gertrude, who was seen as lusty and betraying, the major virgin-whore dichotomy of the Elizabethan and post-Elizabethan age can be exemplified."

Tags:queen, royalty, protestantism

Abstract
A drag race is an acceleration contest from a standing start between two vehicles over a measured distance, which emerged in the 1940s in Southern California. NHRA or National Hot Rod Association was founded in 1951 to cut down illegal street racing and to introduced safety rules and performance in racing.

Abstract
This paper explores the representation of masculinity in Australian film by examining two films: "Mad Max" (1979), and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (Elliott (dir), 1994). The author points out that both "Mad Max" and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" express Australian male masculinity in ways that are uniquely Australian because of Australia's distinctive history and geographical conditions. The paper describes both films and concludes that they both uplift male masculinity, even when it is masked in drag, by denigrating and humiliating women by relegating their roles to only sexual significance or to provide an uplift to the featured masculinity.

Introduction
"Mad Max" (1979)
"The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert"
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This is a violent film, not gratuitous violence, but the real focus of the action is on the super fast cars and motorcycles and, of course Mel Gibson. Dressed in black leather pants and jacket, Mel Gibson was young and very handsome when this film. The film had the two elements that ensured its success: the fast cars and motorcycles and Gibson. However, it probably caught everyone involved off guard when the film turned into a cult classic, especially in the United States, and was the start of a long and accomplished acting career for Gibson and two more installments of the Mad Max futuristic character."

Tags:violent, gibson, mateship, queens, women

Abstract
This paper examines the life, reign and scandals faced by Queen Elizabeth II of England. The paper describes the Queen as a fascinating historical figure from even before she took the throne at the age of twenty-five. It further examines her reign as being marked by controversy within her family, especially with regard to the lives and marriages of her children. She continues to stand as a symbol of Britain, ruling as Queen, and volunteering to support the war effort, showing her passion, and commitment to her country. Despite the scandals surrounding the marriages of people near her, this paper describes Queen Elizabeth's life and accomplishments in a positive and respectful tone.

Outline
Introduction
Geographic Origins
Religious and Cultural Significance
Queen Elizabeth II and Bad Publicity
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Queen Elizabeth was not the original successor to the throne. The Queen's Uncle, King Edward VIII, who was king at the time of her birth, brought scandal to the Royal family when he began to spend time with a so-called commoner, American divorcee Wallis Simpson. (Green, Robert. Queen Elizabeth II. Franklin Watts, 1997.) . The Church of England, bowing to the prevailing social views of the time, did not view King Edward's actions as acceptable behavior, particularly due to his royal position. (Green, Robert . Queen Elizabeth II. Franklin Watts, 1997.) In the wake of the scandal, Queen Elizabeth's father Prince Albert became king when his brother abdicated the throne to marry Simpson. This made the way for the young Princess to inherit the title."

Tags:Queen Elizabeth II, England, Britain, Prince Charles, Pincess Diana, Diana Spencer, scandal, royal, King Charles

Abstract
This paper discusses how filmmakers have adapted Hollywood imagery to combat homophobia and racism in Hollywood and American society. The films and directors analyzed are "Boys Don't Cry" directed by Kimberly Peirce, "Watermelon Woman" by Cheryl Dunye, ?"Paris is Burning by Jennie Livingston , "Tongues Untied" by Marlon Riggs and "Looking for Langston" directed by Isaac Julien.

From the Paper
"Until the end of the twentieth century the history of Hollywood cinema had been largely one of invisibility with respect to portrayals of homosexuals and African Americans. When homosexuals or African ..."

Tags:homosexuality, sex, identity, gender, lesbians, African Americans, drag queens, roles, oppression, gays, culture

Abstract
This paper examines male homosexuality with an emphasis on cross-dressing. Perceptions of gays throughout history are presented, as well as a look at how gay men express themselves and how they are perceived by the heterosexual world. Individual accounts of cross-dressers are presented as well as a general look at this subculture. The tone of the article is very positive toward gays who cross-dress, encouraging openness and acceptance.

From the Paper
"Once it has been genuinely adopted as a method of self-expression, cross-dressing can express a profound sense of personal and communal gay pride. The drag queen revels in her differentness from the heterosexual community, and at the same time, creates a style and a savoir vivre that is often the envy of those - both gay and straight - who do not possess the same amount of personal courage and sense of security in their own identities that enables the drag queen to so freely be herself. As much as the drag queen was once the stereotype par excellence of the gay man in the heterosexual mind, so now has this image been so completely taken up by the gay world that it can be used as a potent force for good in the community, and even beyond. If people like to look at you when you are wearing you best and most glittering gown, why not put all of that popularity to work for the public good? This was exactly what a man named Charles did in New York - the culmination of a long, and often painful processing of coming out, and at long last discovering his true identity."

Tags:homosexuality, cross-dressing, drag, queen, gays

Abstract
This paper discusses how the characters and the city of Savannah in John Berendt's "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" exhibit dichotomy. The paper maintains the dichotomies that pervade the novel are used to reinforce the mystery that remains behind in the wake of James Williams' shooting of Danny Hansford.

From the Paper
"In John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil we are pulled into a murder mystery in Savannah. The title of the book is important as is the statue in the garden that graces its cover ..."

Tags:hustler, drag queen, slavery, blacks, southerners, sex, Berendt, Savannah

Abstract
Several characters are focused on to discuss different aspects of feminism. It explains how Maria Novaro's movie, "Danzon", highlights a strength and beauty within femininity. It provides an analysis of many of the movie's characters to explain how the concept of femininity was maintained throughout.

From the Paper
"The director can be said to have a form of feminism that demonstrates "superficial" feminine aspects as empowering, beautiful, and natural, rather than oppressive or degrading. The realities of women in cultures and subcultures are extremely complex, but in this 96 minute fairy-tale, it is the frilly, feminine fun that is so refreshing. The writer/director studied sociology and in the early 80's was part of a feminist filmmaking group in Mexico City called Cine Mujer."

Tags:drag, homosexuality, mexico, queens, sexuality, women