Humanities 141 - Pink

Jahnell Horton

Humanities 141

September 5 2017

Pink is for girls blue is for boys. Right? According to, True Direction, (rehabilitation camp), the response would be yes. If you asked the same question to Larry also known as one of the ex-gay members He would say, “You have to continue to be who you are.” In the film But I’m a Cheerleader, Directed by Jamie Babbit, takes you on a special journey into Megan’s life. From the start you find out a lot about her life and those around her. There were several key factors addressed in the film I noted. The issues that I will discuss are stereotypes, homophobes, and gender roles.    

“Straight is great” T-shirt that was worn by Mike, one of the workers at True Direction. Claims that he is healed from once being a homosexual. However in the film you see that he still has sexual tendencies that lie within him.

The main character in the film is Megan. A young teen who’s on the High School cheerleading team. She’s also an only child living in a two parent home. One day after school her boyfriend drives her home. As soon as Megan opens the door, she’s immediately placed in an awkward position by her family and friends. Forced into an intervention that her family and friends set up. As she sat on the couch confused and in shock not sure what to think. That’s when everyone in the room began making comments. One by one her friends and family went around the room taking turns judging and criticizing Megan. the posters that she kept hung up in her room and in her locker at school of girls. Also addressing her paintings and saying that they are of a woman’s vagina. Her boyfriend said that she doesn’t enjoy kissing  him and her friends on the stereotypes cheerleading team agreed. She was not only in a way attacked but right after was forced to go right into the program. The program was for rehabilitation for young teens who have homosexual tendencies or those who are gay or lesbian. During their stay they had to complete five steps in order to graduate as an ex homosexual. True Direction made you feel uncomfortable for being yourself. While there you had to conform to the rules or there would be consequences. The program might work for some who really don’t want to be in a same sex relationship. However, those who want to it will not work. Even displayed in the film With Mike. He still had homosexual tendencies. As Megan was massaging an attractive white male, Mike was getting all hot and bothered and the two males were seen flirting without saying words. Why does society pressure us to conform to the norm?