American Horror
Story: Apocalypse- Gay Men and Toxic Masculinity
by Nate Brennaman
American
Horror Story is a very feminine/feminist show. There are strong female
leads in every season. AHS is also a very queer show. In season 8, Apocalypse,
the feminist and queer themes intermingle. In this season, there is a coven of warlocks
(the male equivalent of witches) that represent toxic masculinity, especially
within queer communities.
While doing research for this post, I found a very
interesting Reddit thread that questions whether or not the warlocks represent
toxic masculinity. One commenter wrote, “Toxic masculinity? What? The warlocks
were nothing like that at all. They weren’t heteronormative jock assholes.” This comment demonstrates a lack of understanding/misunderstanding
of what “toxic masculinity” entails. Toxic masculinity isn’t restricted to frat
guys that like to haze pledges and sexually harass women. Gay men can also
embody toxic masculinity. There is misogyny, transphobia, and even homophobia
within gay communities. In AHS, the warlocks resent that fact that witches
have more power than them. The men call the witches sexist names like “bitch,”
and some of the warlocks even plot to kill the witches. If that isn’t “toxic” masculinity,
then I don’t know what is. The idea that
“toxic” masculinity is restricted to heterosexual men in positions of power is flawed
and inaccurate. “Toxic” masculinity, or rather masculinities, exist in many
different forms and communities. I don’t mean to say that all gay men are
sexists or misogynists, just as all straight men aren’t, but these ideas still
exist within communities of men.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AmericanHorrorStory/comments/9lecm3/i_feel_the_warlocks_are_justified/
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