Long ago there were no homophobes. That's because there were no gays and lesbians or transvestites and transsexuals — they were all confined to the dark innards of the closet.
There was also a time when there were no social networking websites that asked about one's sexual orientation (remember man-seeking-man and woman-seeking-woman drop downs?) as part of its user profile.
The word 'queer' meant unusually different and to be 'gay' was to be merry.
Today, all queer-sighted people understand that a variance to the "nice-to-have-polka-dots-among-stripes" rule is acceptable.
And the proof of normalisation of this 'queer' trend is its grand spill over onto the mainstream of the 70 mm screen. So, "If Harry can meet Sally, why can't Harry meet Perry?"
This trend is clearly demonstrated nowhere more than in a poll recently conducted by a popular music website, who have charted the top 10 gay films of all time.Here's a look at the movies »
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The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
No 10: This 1994 movie from Down Under blitzed box offices the world over with its over-the-top, campy humour. Three drag queens embark on a road trip in a big tour bus they call 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.' Happy and gay as ever, the troupe find themselves caught in a series of hilarious adventures.Full of attitude and lots of mascara, the movie changed the way the gays around the world felt about their sexual preference.
The Broken Hearts Club
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No 9: This romantic comedy is a tale of a photographer who on his 28th birthday starts wondering if his friends are the best thing that ever happened to him. His friend circle is a zany bunch that comprises of a worshipper of sculpted bodies, an over-thinker, a cynic, a boyfriend snatcher and a drama queen. It's only when tragedy strikes that these guys realise that 'the shortest distance between friendship isn't always a straight line.'
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Big Eden
No 8: It's a movie about a successful gay artist who returns to Big Eden, a fictional, tiny town, where cowboys still exist ,even outside the fancy costume party circle. Back to be with his ailing grandfather, he must now confront his emotions for his childhood friend. Released in 2000, this romantic drama addressed the topic of homosexuality with extreme sensitivity without any homophobic overtones.
Get Real
No 7: This 1998 British film revolves around a diffident teenager struggling to step out of the closet. Tormented by the class jocks, he lives a life of seclusion, only confiding in his next-door neighbour — an overweight, self-doubting girl. The film ranked number 34 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 50 Best High School Movies.
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Trick
No 6: This film that turned Christian Campbell into a gay icon overnight is an engaging tale about an office temp (Campbell) who gets smitten by a gay bar dancer and how they must now find a place to take their relationship to the next level.
Maurice
No 5: Set in 20th century England, Maurice is a deeply romantic movie about two male school friends who find themselves falling in love with each other in university. One of Hugh Grant's first few movies, Maurice articulates gay romance with artistic finesse.
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Latter Days
No 4: Latter Days is a controversial movie about a promiscuous gay party lover who lives to bed a new guy every night. When he moves into the same apartment as a Mormon missionary, he instantly takes it as a challenge to seduce him. It was the first movie to openly exhibit the clash between the principals of religion and homosexuality.
Shelter
No 3: Shelter is a 2007 film about the relationship between a young aspiring artist who gives up his dreams and ambitions to take care of his family. Profound and sensitive in its treatment, the film portrays how the aspiring painter falls in love with his best friend's elder brother. Shelter won the People's Choice Award for Best Feature at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival.
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Beautiful Thing
No 2: Jamie is a shy youngster who skives school to avoid football. His neighbour Ste is athletic and popular, but tormented by an abusive father. To avoid being bashed up one night, Ste seeks refuge in Jamie's house, which is when they first discover an ineffable bond between them. Set in England, the movie explores the tender relationship between the two young boys.
Brokeback Mountain
No 1: Brokeback Mountain, starring the late Australian actor Heath Ledger, has topped the list of best gay movies. The Oscar-winning film that explored the complex and forbidden relationship between two cowboys, was ranked eighth among the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all time, thereby catapulting gay-themed movies into the mainstream.
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