The term ‘lesbian chic’ refers to the increase in the recent media portrayal of lesbianism across the world. According to Kate Campbell, the ‘chic’ in this term is used to express the popularity of lesbianism in modern times with its many proponents coming out without fear of condemnation of those who abhor it. On the other hand, ‘heteroflexibility’ is used to refer to the open performance of lesbian acts with a view of capturing the attention of males. Various forms of mass media are used to pass and promote this message and in turn, encouraging various people with different sexual orientations to come out and express their identity. The song I kissed a girl (2008) by Katy Perry is a good example of how promoters of lesbian chic are using the mass media to promote different sexual identities. The lyrics and the video of the song are used figuratively in portraying how this lesbianism trend and heteroflexibility are addressed openly.
Music video
Katy Perry uses various imageries in her music video to exhibit the controversial topics of lesbian chic and heteroflexibility. First, she includes all-female acts in this video to show the openness of her sexual orientation. Having been a big hit since 2008, the video expresses the current pop culture where different people are coming out and showing their pride in whichever path they have chosen without the fear of condemnation or reprisal. This imagery is also used to encourage others with divergent decisions on sexual identity to come out while at the same time preparing the society to accept lesbianism as a normal way of life. The singer also uses lesbian signs like licking a pink coloured cake to emphasize her open support for this trendy culture. All this imagery is used to indicate the change in the popular lifestyle of the twenty-first century where the society is now adopting lesbianism and other divergent forms of sexual orientation without much judgment or reprisal.
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However, another use of Katy Perry’s video is to portray the emerging trend of heteroflexibility. All the acts are dressed in seductive attire that like fishnet, short dresses, and high heels as a perfect beauty all meant to attract male attention. The inclusion of all-female acts is used to express the lesbian nature of the message being passed. The main criticism of this pop culture is the use of imagery directed at capturing the male attention at long last. This defeats the goal of open sexual orientation and being proud of one’s identity. This culture is still tied to the adoration of male attention by women.
Lyrics
In the chorus of Katy Perry’s song I Kissed a Girl (2008), she claims to have kissed a girl and loved the feeling that came from this act. She uses this statement to express her open embrace of lesbianism and the new experience got from it. In another part of this chorus, Katy Perry shows her approval of lesbianism by claiming that it as the right thing to do. Another part that promotes lesbian chic is the third verse where she puts it as normal behaviour that should not be placed as a big issue. However, Katy Perry starts her song with words that express the act of lesbianism as not her intention or plan. This can be a vivid expression of the regrets some lesbians face in coming out to express their sexual orientation.
Despite the huge effort by proponents of lesbian chic culture, many participants are unwilling to openly express their pride. She also claims in the song to have had lost her discretion in this endeavour. This expression defeats the goal of openly coming out as a lesbian or the support of it as she claims not to be in her right senses when making this decision. In one part of the chorus, Katy Perry wishes that her boyfriend approves of her adoption of lesbianism. This clearly shows her reliance on the opinion of her male partner in deciding to become a lesbian thus showing how heteroflexibility plays a big part in this act. This waters down the gains made by lesbians in coming out to express their pride in their sexual orientation without counting on the opinion of male counterparts.
Conclusion
Katy Perry’s song I Kissed a Girl (2008) was highly used to promote the lesbian chic as an emerging trend while at the same time participating in heteroflexibility. Many instances in the music video depict acts that are associated with lesbianism like using all female participants. She also uses lyrics to state how she kissed a girl and liked the feeling. However, their appearance and attire describe the ideal beauty that is meant to capture male attention. The lyrics also portray her much reliance on male opinion while deciding to become a lesbian.
