The Queer DNA of Christmas (And Why It Was Always There)
Every December, millions of people watch a gay man's ballet, sing a closeted songwriter's most heartbreaking lyric, root for a misfit reindeer who just wants to belong, and deck their halls in tinsel that would make Susan Sontag weep with joy. They just don't know it yet.
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5 Questions to Reflect On
- 1. The Hidden Maker: So much of what we love about Christmas was created by LGBTQ people who had to keep that identity secret. How does knowing the source of something change how you experience it?
- 2. Your Chosen Family Christmas: Many of us grew up in households where we couldn't fully be ourselves at the holidays. What did your queer community's version of Christmas look like?
- 3. Misfit Recognition: Rudolph, the Grinch, Scrooge, the Misfit Toys... these outsider characters have resonated with queer audiences for generations.
- 4. Camp and Excess: Susan Sontag said camp is about "the love of the exaggerated." Do you bring a deliberately theatrical or over-the-top energy to your holiday decorating or celebrating?
Download the Discussion Guide
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