The L Word and Narrating Biographies
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The L Life: The L Word and Narrating Biographies Leah Barbara Caluzzi Submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters of Arts (Screen Studies) July 2015 Department of Culture and Communication, Faculty of Arts University of Melbourne Produced on archival quality paper 1 Abstract This thesis examines the reception of the television series The L Word by young adult lesbians in Melbourne. It shows the influence of the series as a media object that is significant to three aspects of these women’s lesbian lifestyle construction: coming out, lifestyle development, and integration into the lesbian community. This thesis argues that, as a media object, the series helps these lesbians narrate their own biographies as they negotiate their life transitions into adulthood. 2 Declaration This is to certify that: i. this thesis comprises only my original work towards the Masters ii. due acknowledgement has been made in the text to all other material used iii. this thesis is less than 40,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices Leah Barbara Caluzzi Date: 9-11-15 3 Acknowledgements I would like to take the opportunities to acknowledge the many people who have helped to make this project possible. Firstly I would like to thank my primary supervisor, Assoc. Professor Audrey Yue for her tireless guidance and direction across the length of this project. I would also like to thank my secondary supervisor Dr. Fran Martin for all her assistance and support. Thanks must also go to the School of Culture and Communication Research Support staff, whom I have called upon many times throughout this process. I would also like to thank my participants, all of whom made significant contributions to this thesis. In terms of personal support, I would like to thank my fellow postgraduate students, in particular Kate Farhall, for their support and encouragement. I would like to thank my mother Donna, brothers Gabriel and Noah, and partner Emma for their unwavering support and dedication during this project. Finally I would like to dedicate this thesis to my father, who did not survive to see me submit it, but was immensely proud and supportive of all of my achievements. 4 Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ 2 Declaration .......................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 4 Chapter One: Reception of The L Word, Lesbian Spectatorship and Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 8 Aims of this Thesis ............................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Literature Review .................................................................................................................. 12 The L Word: Critical Discourse ................................................................................................... 12 Examining The L Word: Audience Scholarships ................................................................. 20 Audience/Reception Studies ........................................................................................................ 21 Lesbian Spectatorship .................................................................................................................... 25 Homosexuality in Melbourne: From Activism to Indifference ...................................... 30 Modern Identity Construction ..................................................................................................... 36 1.3 Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 40 Participants ........................................................................................................................................ 42 Obstacles .............................................................................................................................................. 47 1.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 51 Chapter Two: Coming Out in an L Word Era ........................................................... 53 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 53 2.2 Literature Review: Coming Out ....................................................................................... 54 Theories of Transition .................................................................................................................... 54 Rite of Passage/Ritual .................................................................................................................... 57 Influence of the Media .................................................................................................................... 59 5 Youth Specificity ............................................................................................................................... 65 Transition ............................................................................................................................................ 66 Sexuality ............................................................................................................................................... 68 2.3 Coming Out: Acknowledging the L Word .................................................................... 70 Transition and Validation ............................................................................................................ 71 Viewing as Ritual .............................................................................................................................. 77 Rite of Passage ................................................................................................................................... 81 2.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 88 Chapter Three: Lifestyle and The L Word ................................................................ 90 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 90 3.2 Literature Review: Lesbian Lifestyle ............................................................................ 91 ‘Lesbian’: A Brief History ............................................................................................................... 91 The Gayworld ..................................................................................................................................... 93 Lifestyles and Consumer Culture ............................................................................................... 96 Lesbian Lifestyles .............................................................................................................................. 99 3.3 Lifestyle Development – Influence of The L Word ................................................ 104 Role Models ...................................................................................................................................... 105 Dress and Embodiment ............................................................................................................... 109 Lesbian Sexual Practice .............................................................................................................. 115 3.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 120 Chapter Four: Finding and Defining Community and the Influence of The L Word ................................................................................................................................. 123 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 123 4.2 Literature Review: Lesbian Community ................................................................... 124 Community: A Brief Overview .................................................................................................. 124 Lesbian Community: Global and Local ................................................................................. 128 Homonormativity .......................................................................................................................... 132 4.3 Finding Lesbian Communities in the Modern World: The Impact of The L Word .................................................................................................................................................... 135 Common Ties ................................................................................................................................... 136 6 Social Interaction .........................................................................................................................