SEMINAR DESCRIPTION

This course will surface the ways in which LGBTQ+ people and communities have impacted the ways in which mainstream American culture has been shaped by cultural production derived from thinking that challenges heteronormativity in post-World War II America until the validation of same sex marriage in 2014 Through the lenses of queer theory, evolving queer history, Since the emergence of “homosexuality” and “transsexuality” as identities in the late 19th century, queer culture has been presumed to develop in the margins of American life, ancillary to and shaped by heterosexual norms. Yet, the vast majority of queer people in the last hundred years have lived (to at least some degree) in the closet, allowing them to exist in the mainstream while maintaining a distinctly non-normative identity. Thus, to quote bell hooks, allowing them "to bring the margin into the center." In 15 meetings over the course of the semester, through lectures, discussions, texts, slides, films and video, we will explore the ways in which transformative integration of queer designs for living have occurred. Highlighting pivotal events and shifts in American cultural, political, and creative history this course will provide food for thought about the ways in queerness is integral to American notions of progress and freedom.

Monday, February 5, 2024

SamU. January 19, 2024 - "Hunter Avallone v. Matt Walsh"

 Everyday on my commute, I like to listen to podcasts that are usually centered around political debates of current topics. I find great enjoyment in listening to such debates as well as learning more about said controversial topics than I have ever known before. I of course have more fascination with debates centered around the LGBTQ+ community as well as the quote unquote “liberal” generation. Essentially, even if we in modern times have become more understanding and accepting of the LGBTQ+ community and minority groups, there will always be those groups who prefer to revert back to conservative ideologies and preach that we must turn back the clock to how everything was back in the 1960’s. Some examples of modern figures in the media who have a big influence on preaching and teaching these conservative ideas to the masses are people like Matt Walsh, Ben Shapiro, Sneako, and Andrew tate. I find it sad and frustrating that despite the efforts made by the LGBTQ+ community to gain equal rights and protection are now being shot down and criminalized due to the older generations’, who are still in power, conservative ideas. Now “model figures'' are taking over the internet, influencing the younger generation to adopt such harmful ideas and garner hatred towards such minority groups and women. 


A political podcaster that I listen to on my commutes goes by the name Hunter Avallone, who used to be a far right activist, but after seeing the bigotry of other people towards these minority groups and how far their hatred goes, made him change for the better. He now advocates and speaks up in defense for these minority groups on his podcast, making it his mission to inform people correctly. He now takes requests to speak with people who express such conservative ideas and try to make them see how backwards their thinking is. Many refuse to listen, and rarely do some see how harmful their thinking is. He will even get the opportunity to speak with influencers such as Matt Walsh or Sneako, who will never change their thinking as their image and popularity revolves around it, and debate on various “liberal” topics.


Matt Walsh Gives UNHINGED "Solution" for Crime 


Hunter Avallone | Podcast on Spotify

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Erika Bauer - Final Project

 Link to my final project https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10M3X31MtgSnCAicMzf6pDhINFAjSNRaGX8BJnh3_9Eg/edit