Sex, Gender, and Glee

               Glee, a popular TV show where kids in high school sing about their life problems, is no stranger to controversial topics like sexuality and gender among youth. This show has seen much praise for its take on homosexuality, with people commenting on how the homo and hetero couples were seen as equals in the show. For instance, viewer Heather Hogan comments that until recently, gay men were less sexualized than gay women, but that two characters “Kurt and Blaine blew up that double standard. Their first time having sex was as important as Rachel and Finn’s first time having sex.” She goes on to say that Kurt and Blaine’s relationship changed things for broadcast networks.

After introducing a handful of gay and lesbian characters, Glee took on a whole new challenge (and hit the diversity jackpot while doing it): bringing in a plus sized trans girl of color. Officially named Wade Adams, this character preferred to be called Unique. Although Wade Adams was born as a male, she only truly feels like herself when she is wearing female clothes and living as her alter-ego, Unique.

As is stated in Cultural Studies; Theory and Practice, gender is a cultural context and is open to change (245). Similarly stated, “the body is held to be a rack upon which cultural meanings are thrown” (245). This gender identity change can be seen within Unique’s character. Before coming to William McKinley High School, (where most of the main characters of Glee attend) Unique was the lead vocalist of her old a cappella group where she was afraid to perform in front of a crowd, but found a way to do so if singing as a female. 

After transferring to William McKinley, Unique’s character appeared to be more confident about who she is, although she still struggles at times. Cultural Studies; Theory and Practice states that acceptance of the idea that sex is a cultural construct leads to the blurring of the male-female distinction. Although Unique’s character suffers emotionally and physically for being different, (to the point of being unable to use the bathroom at school for fear of being picked on by the girls or beaten by the boys) she shows us that this cultural construct stands true.

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