Is Greta Gerwig Gay?

Image Courtesy of Warner Bros

If you have not yet experienced the latest Barbie film, what have you been occupied with! While it is indeed a vibrant, cheerful spectacle painted in shades of pink, it also presents a profoundly uplifting and life-affirming allegory for queer and trans experiences, perhaps unlike anything you've encountered. How might you inquire? Well, prepare yourself, as I shall present ten compelling arguments for why the Barbie movie champions LGBTQ+ authenticity.

The film's screenwriter and director, Greta Gerwig, possesses a notable history of challenging conventions and reimagining cinematic narratives. Her previous Oscar-nominated works, "Lady Bird" and "Little Women," showcased her remarkable ability to depict complex female characters with considerable depth and genuine authenticity.

However, with "Barbie," Gerwig elevates this skill by fundamentally altering the doll's ingrained identity as a symbol of oppressive femininity and masculine desire, replacing it with something entirely contrary.

This subversion aligns perfectly with the lived realities of the LGBTQ+ community, where individuals frequently defy societal expectations to authentically express their true selves. By framing Barbie as a beacon of acceptance, inclusivity, and personal growth, one who transcends predetermined roles and embraces her individuality, Gerwig has fashioned a character that deeply resonates with those who have grappled with similar challenges in accepting their own identities.

Therefore, let us commence this thrilling exploration of reasons why Barbie is poised to ascend to the status of one of our era's most significant queer icons.

Who could have possibly foreseen that the quintessential American girl would emerge as a gender nonconformist? Despite her glamorous appearance, complete with flawless blonde locks and a penchant for pink, this doll actively defies conventional stereotypes. While her companions in Barbieland are preoccupied with locating their ideal Ken doll partner, Barbie harbors grander aspirations. She explores a multitude of professions, ranging from astronaut to president, thereby challenging traditional gender-based roles.

Barbie rejects antiquated notions concerning how women ought to present themselves, behave, and lead their lives. This stance remarkably mirrors the queer and trans experience of actively subverting the gender binary and societal expectations. Through Barbie's portrayal of fluidity, Gerwig underscores her dedication to representing the multifaceted spectrum of identities present within the community, emphasizing that there is no singular way to identify as gay, lesbian, trans, non-binary, or any of the myriad other identities within the LGBTQ+ collective.

Haven't we all experienced a sense of being an outsider due to our unique selves? Well, Barbie certainly comprehends that sentiment! Upon departing the excessively perfect realm of Barbieland for the imperfect reality of the real world, she encounters a similar feeling of "otherness" that LGBTQ+ individuals frequently perceive within a cisheteronormative societal structure. Yet, her remarkable diversity is presented as a strength, not a defect! While she may not perfectly conform to the prevailing norms, this fashion-forward individual remains steadfast and committed to discovering her genuine calling.

Now, who has declared that self-reinvention is impossible? Certainly not Ms. Barbie herself! She experiments with a vibrant array of engaging personas in her quest to discover her ideal career. What an exceptional transformation montage! Barbie demonstrates no hesitation in trying out diverse styles that better reflect her evolving self-perception.

And this process is remarkably similar to what many of us have undergone as we've experimented with gender expression through our attire, hairstyles, makeup, and various other means. Alternatively, it reflects our search for our authentic essence.

Issa Rae as President Barbie | Image courtesy of Warner Bros

A cornerstone of Greta Gerwig's artistic vision for Barbie is her unwavering dedication to inclusivity and diversity. The cinematic world she has created mirrors the complexity of our actual world, featuring friends from various ethnic backgrounds, body types, identities, and origins. This accurately reflects our community's ongoing advocacy for increased visibility and the recognition of diverse identities - essentially, chosen families who wholeheartedly accept and embrace every individual. The expansive universe Gerwig constructs emphasizes that every person's narrative holds intrinsic value and warrants acknowledgement, thereby cultivating a profound sense of belonging and validation for LGBTQ+ individuals. Unity triumphs when we stand together!

For a considerable duration, Barbie has been inextricably linked with rigid standards of beauty and constrictive stereotypes. However, this particular iteration of the celebrated doll definitively shatters these limitations by presenting Barbie as a character who actively challenges and dismantling societal expectations.

This approach aligns flawlessly with the LGBTQ+ community's persistent struggle against entrenched stereotypes and prevalent misconceptions. The film's emphasis on celebrating individuality, transcending labels, and pursuing one's passions irrespective of external pressures serves as a potent testament to the community's endeavors to be acknowledged and embraced for their genuine identities. Barbie is more than just a doll; she represents boundless potential!

Naturally, redefining established norms is not always a straightforward endeavor. Barbie frequently encounters considerable derision for her perceived differences. Nevertheless, with unwavering courage and refined grace, she remains true to her authentic self. For young queer and trans individuals who unfortunately face discrimination and bullying, Barbie's remarkable resilience profoundly resonates.

At the very core of Gerwig's adaptation lies a fundamental theme of empowerment and resilience, qualities that deeply connect with anyone belonging to the LGBTQ+ community. Barbie's journey throughout the film, much like the formidable challenges many of us navigate, powerfully accentuates the concept of empowerment when confronted with adversity.

By portraying Barbie and the other characters as individuals who successfully manage obstacles while steadfastly preserving their integrity, Gerwig cultivates a narrative that harmonizes with the LGBTQ+ community's collective progression towards self-acceptance and self-empowerment.

An extraordinary process of personal metamorphosis forms the central element of Barbie's narrative. Her heroic odyssey of self-discovery sees her evolve from a mere figure of aesthetic appeal into a profound emblem of authenticity and empowerment.

Furthermore, this journey mirrors the significant transformations that queer and trans individuals often experience during their transitions or when coming out, liberating themselves from societal constraints to wholeheartedly embrace their true identities.

It is fundamentally about flourishing into your most beautiful, content, and fulfilled self - both internally and externally! It also represents our fundamental demand to be recognized beyond superficial preconceptions.

Barbie Land offers a flawlessly inclusive pink haven | Image Warner Bros.

Naturally, Barbie did not undertake this transformative path in isolation. Although she departs from her established familial unit in Barbieland, she is compelled to forge her own community within the complexities of the real world.

The cultivation of found families, individuals who perceive and accept us for who we truly are, particularly when biological relatives may be less affirming, has consistently been a paramount aspect of our collective lived experience as a community. It is essential to surround oneself with love and supportive individuals who genuinely value your authentic self!

The film deliberately eschews Barbie's conventional, cliché-driven romantic narrative that places Ken at its center, thereby granting her complete dominion over her identity and personal trajectory.

By celebrating diverse notions of beauty and depicting Barbie in relationships that align with queer sensibilities, the film humorously mocks patriarchal structures and exposes the inherent absurdities and inconsistencies of the patriarchy through wit and innovative genre blending.

Consequently, Barbie's narrative evolves into a potent medium for critiquing regressive gender roles that systematically deny women their fundamental autonomy.

Lastly, and most importantly, Barbie embodies the conviction that each of us possesses the capacity to manifest our aspirations. With fortitude, an open heart, and the steadfast support of loved ones, boundless potential becomes attainable. For queer and trans youth and adults embarking on their personal journeys of self-discovery, this message offers profound encouragement and validation. Embrace boldness, cultivate grand ambitions! Anything is achievable once you embrace and cherish your authentic self.

Through a sophisticated amalgamation of narrative elements that deeply resonate with our community, complemented by the strategic use of queer iconography, Greta Gerwig's adaptation has definitively established Barbie as the ultimate queer icon.

From the deliberate casting of openly LGBTQ+ performers such as Hari Nef, Alexandra Shipp, and Scott Evans to the film's exploration of fluid identities, unwavering inclusivity, and the overarching theme of authenticity and empowerment, Gerwig has meticulously crafted a story that aligns profoundly with the core values and aspirations of our community, as well as our evolving understanding of queer representation.

By reintroducing her as an independent, queer-affirming character who actively rejects outdated gender roles, Gerwig boldly challenges the patriarchal norms that fundamentally shaped the brand's original identity. This reimagined, subversive Barbie advocates for radical acceptance, uninhibited self-expression, and female empowerment, liberated from the constraints of the male gaze.

Gerwig shared with Out Magazine, "It was simply impossible for us to tell this story without incorporating the LGBTQ+ community, and it was imperative that we accurately reflect the diversity that Mattel has so thoughtfully brought forth with all the various Barbies and Kens available today."

Barbieland envisions an idealized world where identities that were once marginalized now flourish with unbridled joy. The plastic doll, previously confined to superficial pursuits, transforms into a formidable, flawed, and fearless agent of change, effectively dismantling the patriarchal framework that defined her and offering us all a tangible vision of how we might finally achieve that elusive 'best life' we so frequently discuss.