Re:Digest Vol 3 #79/Gay Tommy

[Gord1@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-03-20 22:30:29 EST, amck@eden.com (Alan McKendree)
writes:

>Hmm.  You mention design and costume elements, not plot or symbolic
>aspects as you did for Quad.  Do you see a gay interpretation of the
>plot and events in Tommy (of course, Uncle Ernie...)
>
>

Here is my "queer" interpretation of Tommy...(Again, like my perspective of
Quadrophenia, this is just a different INTERPRETATION.)

Tommy is silenced by his family about the "family secret" (Our son is queer!)
 He doesn't talk or express his feelings.  He does not fit in with society
and the only attention his family pays him is trying to get him "cured".
(Because, after all, homosexuality is evil)

You didn't hear/see it....How can he be saved?  From the eternal grave?...
Only if he's cured...If your child aint all he should be now, This girl will
put him right...I'll tear your soul apart...There's a doctor I've found can
cure the boy.

I see Amazing Journey/Sparks as Tommy's relationship with God.  God accepts
Tommy for who he is and basically tells him that he is on a life journey and
to know internally that he is not sick and one day everything will be OK.  
The song Christmas is society's version of religion (as opposed to Tommy's
version of spirituality).  Does Tommy reject society's religion
(Christianity) because Christianity has rejected him?
Cousin Kevin and Fiddle About represent gay bashing and child abuse
respectively.  (Child abuse and suicide[Quad.]  statistically affect gays and
lesbians in disproportionate numbers).  
Do You Think It's Alright? (What will the neighbors think?  What if people
find out about us/our family)  
Pinball Wizard:  To be accepted by family/society, many queers have to excel
in a certain talent.  Tommy is the Pinball Wizard.  (Greg Louganis, Martina
Navratilova,<don't get me started!>)
With a bit of self-confidence due to his talent, Tommy "comes out" in I'm
Free and experiences pride and self-acceptance in I'm A Sensation.

Sally Simpson is a "fag hag!!!"

The song Welcome might be interpreted as assimilation with the rest of
society, or for you Pat Buchanan followers, it might be considered
recruiting. We're Not Gonna Take It is obviously society's rejection of
Tommy's lifestyle.

Like Jimmy in Quad, Tommy experiences a lot of the pain of growing up in his
own world.  Neither character fits in, neither have a good family life, and
both go through a coming out / self-acceptance and rejection phase.

Be What You'll Be...
-Gordie