There's no place like homo

Personally, I think Ariel the mermaid is a much better queer role model than Dorothy Gale from Kansas.

I’ve just published a brand new video about The Wizard of Oz, and the more-than-a-century of L. Frank Baum’s stories having special meaning for queer people. (Check out the Oz video here.)

As part of that work, I watched the sepia conclusion of the film many many times: Dorothy’s back home in bed, everyone’s gazing tenderly, and she’s overwhelmed with relief and a resolve to never travel farther than her own backyard. But WHY? After everything she’s been though, this is what she’s settling for? The brown landscape, the adults who never have time for her, and the wealthy landowner who will surely be popping back around to collect the dog? Dorothy had it all in Oz! Technicolor delights, widespread acclaim, a passel of gay friends! Don’t leave now!

I’d like an ending where she clicks her heels, says “there’s no place like home,” and then teleports exactly zero feet in any direction, just remains on that platform in the Emerald City, because she’s learned that’s her true home. Or at the very least, when she returns to Kansas, she declares, “if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire, I’ll keep walking until I find it, because I’ve learned we all have the power to choose our home.”

But there are a couple of factors tying Dorothy to the farm. One is that this is a post-code film and the conservative gravity had been turned up in Hollywood; such an independent woman would’ve raised some eyebrows. Another is that while boy-characters are often allowed to enjoy a narrative form usually called “the hero’s journey,” women are often shunted to the “heroine’s journey.” In a hero’s journey, Luke Skywalker (or whoever) discovers a phallus (or whatever) that elevates him a god. But a heroine’s journey often ends with Dorothy (or whoever) returning to a more domestic state.

And this is why I like Ariel so much. The Little Mermaid is one of those rare modernized fairy tales where the heroine goes through her trials, and instead of saying, “well, I learned a lot, now time for me to go back to dad,” is allowed to simply say, “BYE SUCKERS.” She can literally walk away from her old life and into a new one she’s chosen! And good for her.

But that’s not to say that I think Dorothy is a lousy queer icon — just the opposite, in fact, especially since as a character, she’s the product of so many gay minds. And for more about that, you’ll have to watch my new video.

What’s New

What’s Coming Up

  • Doing a little holiday shopping? There’s still time for you to order my award-winning book, Hi Honey, I’m Homo! through Elliott Bay, and specify that you’d like it personalized! I’ll swing by the store and sign it for you before they ship it out.

  • Do you want to see one of my live presentations? I’m planning some travel in 2026, and if you have a bookstore/college/library/etc that might like to host me, get in touch and let me know! That includes Europe, which I haven’t visited in almost a decade!

  • On an upcoming Sewers of Paris, I’m chatting with one of the organizers of TED Talk fellowships.

  • New video about queer Xmas specials coming your way soon!

Stuff I’ve been Enjoying

  • I just read The Neverending Story and The Princess Bride, and although I didn’t intend this they are actually a great double-feature as novels go because they are very much in dialogue with each other. Highly recommended that you read them back-to-back! And encourage thoughtful young people to do the same.

  • I’m catching up on Defunctland videos, and I love this one about Splash Mountain’s eerie predecessor … and the uncomfortable history that both rides sidestep.

  • Here is a rather soothing video of a bear having a little snooze in front of a wildlife camera.