The Pet Shop Boys, Gay Sexuality and the Knowingness of Popular Culture in 1980s and 1990s Britain
by Laurence Georgin
Dr Eve Colpus’ project is an attempt to rethink gay culture in late twentieth century Britain, moving away from the notion of gay community towards an understanding of how gay sexuality and culture was both part of mainstream popular culture and took it in distinctive directions. Political narratives of gay life in this period have tended to focus on the concept of marginalisation. By exploring messages about gay sexuality in the Pet Shops Boys’ music and videos and in the contemporary music press, I suggest an alternative story: that gay sexuality and culture was knowingly explored in 1980s and 1990s popular culture, which was a space where a range of sexualities were interrogated and commemorated.
If you are interested in finding out more about the project, please contact Dr Eve Colpus
Categories: History. Tags: Gay, gay culture and LGBT history.