WP3930S22
Queer Eye (2018) tells the story of “Fab Five”, a team of 5 gay professionals in the culture, design, grooming, fashion, and food field, helping clients achieve higher life satisfaction. I focus on episode 4 season 1, “To Gay or Not Too Gay”, in which this team helps the straightest gay man in Atlanta called AJ to come out to his stepmother. The whole series is not officially released in mainland China due to the 2016 law banning “vulgar, immoral, and unhealthy content” which includes TV productions about gay relationships. However, it is so popular among people in their 20s and 30s, watching through unconventional means. Why? Some indicate that it plays into young females’ growing fetish for gay relationships. Actually, by presenting LGBTQ+ community on media, the show inspires audiences to redefine masculinity as confidently expressing one’s emotions, which attributes to its popularity.
Queer Eye, centered on five gay men, seems to fulfill the growing appetite for Chinese females’ fetish for gay relationships. Since the 1990s, one genre called “danmei” which focuses on romantic and sexual relationships between men exists. Due to censorship in China, there isn’t a fair representation of the LGBTQ+ community, so this genre largely comes from or spreads stereotypes of gay couples. Still, it is explosively popular. One famous animated piece got watched 71 million times. Given the enormous interest in “danmei”, Queer Eye talking about five gay men helping another gay man come out seems to feed these fantasies. However, these do not actually contribute to its popularity. The show’s content is not about romantic relationships, so it does not satisfy “Danmei” readers. Moreover, as a reality show, its casts are real human beings. Although they look fancy in the show, they all have their struggles in real life, which differs from imagined, idealized versions of men in fetish. Instead, “Fab Five” serves a more important role in redefining masculinity.
To begin with, American and Chinese societies embrace a similar problematic definition of masculinity. While America seems more open, traditional values are still popular. According to American Psychological Association, males in America are expected to be “toughness, stoicism, acquisitiveness, and self-reliance” — “aggressive, emotionally stunted males”. That is, U.S. norms expect males to suppress their emotions and mask their distress. A step further, Basow and Theodore introduced “heterosexual masculinity” where males need to be “masculine in traits” and “heterosexual in orientation”. A man is socially unacceptable to have feminine traits or non-heterosexual orientations. Therefore, this problematic value alienates those who are LGBTQ+ or feminized in self-expression. Sadly, a similar belief prevails in China. In 2021, China’s Education Ministry proposed teaching masculinity to boys by hiring more gym teachers, because “‘feminization’ of Chinese boys ‘threatens China’s survival’”. Exaggerating and connecting how young boy behaves to a country’s “survival” shows how strongly the belief is — being tough and aggressive is what males “must and only be”. Therefore, a common ground between Americans and Chinese exists in this wrong belief on masculinity. When the American show Queer Eye criticizes this, Chinese audiences could also relate to their experiences and reflect: should we have only one definition of masculinity?
AJ’s experience reveals troublesome views on how men must be. When “Fab Five” goes to AJ’s house for the first time, they look at the painting given to AJ after his father passed away and discuss with AJ of his father’s impact. AJ describes that “my dad he always acts in a certain way, and it translates to me, so I feel like I need to put up a traditional vibe”. “Translate” means “passing something on”. AJ’s father takes in U.S heterosexual masculinity and passes them on to AJ. This family impact sounds familiar to Chinese audiences, where we say “言传身教”, meaning teaching one by words and influencing one by deeds. AJ’s father may not tell his expectations of AJ in words, but his ideas are reflected in daily life. Therefore, Chinese audiences easily understand that it is AJ’s growing up surrounded by his father’s beliefs that makes him believe in being emotionless and heterosexual is what is wanted. As a result, AJ suppresses his true self — “I wish I did tell my dad, but I just couldn’t say”. Seeing his conformation, Chinese audiences reflect on ourselves since 2016 censorship. We are inspired to rethink whether we are too used to censorship and “feminine traits in boys are wrong” ideas that we forget different voices. Also, AJ’s regret for not coming out earlier implies his strong determination to present his voice now. His true identity wants to be seen. Under censorship, some Chinese experience similarly. Therefore, AJ’s presence reminds general Chinese audiences of these people’s voices. When we feel AJ’s pain, we are driven to search for new masculinity definitions.
The “Fab Five” setting in Queer Eye generates a broader masculinity definition — being confident to express feelings. Jonathan, the grooming expert in “Fab Five”, is a perfect example, encouraging Chinese audiences to think broadly about manhood. He utilizes his expertise to redesign AJ’s hairstyle. When AJ hesitates for his beard, Jonathan does not ignore his concerns but helps on top of that — “let’s shape it up, but keep the shadow”. We see his charismatic characteristics of great work expertise and being considerate, which most people love. Should “a good man” have these traits? Yes. Then, is Jonathan “a good man”? Yes. On this common ground, audiences are pushed to think that “do his personal preferences for pink dresses offset his traits?” Due to those good qualities, people hardly say yes. Thus, audiences learn that masculinity is more than emotionlessness. More specifically, Jonathan exemplifies expressing emotions confidently. During shaving, Jonathan smiles and constantly cheers AJ by “you’re giving me so much sexy face right now. I can’t even handle it”. Jonathan loves AJ’s new style, so he reveals his emotion and praises AJ directly. Learning from him, AJ or audiences who are afraid to disclose themselves are encouraged to do so. From a more general standpoint, “Fab Five” is exemplary in encouraging people to rebel against problematic norms, which aligns with Chinese college students. Dozens of college official accounts on Wechat were set up to support LGBTQ+ even under censorship. While they were suspended recently, their courage against heterosexual masculinity is manifested. When these students watch “Fab Five”, they are more determined to continue fighting.
Influenced by “Fab Five”, when coming out, AJ displays the same confidence in expressing his inner feelings. After AJ tells his stepmother about his orientation, the shooting angle moving from medium close-up to close-up on AJ’s face depicts his hands holding tight on his stepmother’s back and frowning with a choked voice. Audiences sense complex feelings — relief for telling his family about being gay, pride in presenting himself, regret for not telling his father earlier, etc. Through unspoken actions, AJ exemplifies sharing all emotions. Especially for Chinese viewers who are often not good at expressing emotions, they know that they don’t have to exaggerate like Jonathan. Genuine actions like AJ’s are also good. Moreover, his stepmother’s reaction is touching. She holds his back and cries together. A stronger and closer bond between them is created. With the soft background music “show me where I belong”, AJ won’t be “so lost on [his] own” but is supported by his family. The happy ending attracts viewers to believe in the positive impact of a man being truthful to his emotions. Wanting similar support, those who are of similar status are more motivated to act like AJ.
Overall, with LGBTQ+ community presentation on media, Queer Eye succeeds in translating to China by redefining manhood as freely expressing one’s emotions. As China obtains toxic heterosexual masculinity expectations like America but with more constrained policies, Chinese audiences can easily understand critiques of current expectations on masculinity from this American show and try to explore alternative manhood. “Fab Five” and AJ’s positive transformation exemplify manhood as confidently presenting one’s inner feelings. Watching them, people who suffer from current social expectations are motivated to speak up while people already fighting for diverse voices, like those Chinese college students, are more encouraged to continue fighting. Spreading healthy masculinity ideas from place to place, the show itself reflects globalization. Ultimately, it works for a more inclusive future globally.
