Sexuality in Queer as Folk

1. Representation of
Sexuality in ‘Queer as Folk’
by Jess and Daniel

2. Summary
Overall, in this extract, gay men are represented in a
stereotypical way - feminine, dramatic and in denial of
their sexuality. Towards the end of the extract,
heterosexual women are represented as open to the
idea of people with a gay sexuality. There doesn't
seem to be any heterosexual men or lesbian women in
the clip. This suggests that during ‘Queer as Folk’
sexuality may be the most important part of a persons
personality.

3. Editing Features that are Used
Fade Out to black
Eyeline Matching & Shot Reverse Shot
Jump Cut

4. Relation to the
Representation of Sexuality
• When shot reverse shot is used at the dinner table, the gay man seems very feminine and has
interests of stereotypical gay men. For example, he loves Britney Spears
• The fade out to black could suggest that homosexual people are dramatic as this technique
usually relates to time passing after the end of a tense and dramatic scene.
• Shot reverse shot is also used when two gay men are having a conversation with each other in
school. This shows contrast between the two characters as one is open about his sexuality and
the other is gay and in denial. This is evident when the shot reverse shot shows the expression
of the in denial gay man when the openly gay man says ‘you missed your chance’.
• The jump cut between the scene at the school and when the elderly man is speaking may
suggest a contrast in the traditional beliefs that older people have amount homosexuals.
• The eyeline matching shows the connection between the two characters when they are having
the discussion in school. The fact that the matching is not broken suggests that the characters
are taking what each other are saying very seriously. This could suggest that gay people are
easily offended as the openly gay male is just joking around with the in denial male.