The purpose of this research is to describe how the music videos represent the
image of homosexuality in the era of legalization of same-sex marriage released
between 2012-2014. This research is descriptive qualitative. The method is
employed by watching, classifying and analyzing the data collected by selecting
the scenes, objects and lyrics representing the image of homosexuality. The
source of main data are three official music videos entitled “Same Love by
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat Mary Lambert (2012), I still Love You by
Jennifer Hudson (2014) and Really Don’t Care by Demi Lovato (2014)
downloaded from www.youtube.com. The data are in the form of moving images,
music and lyrics. The supporting data consist of reviews, pictures, interviews and
information taken from books, journal, articles, online sources and researches.
Since the research is in the scope of American studies which is an
interdisciplinary study, it involves some disciplines which are applied in the form
of theory and approach including queer theory, performative theory, semiotic
theory and socio-historical approach. From the analysis, the representation of
homosexuality in the post-legalization of same-sex marriage is not constructed as
comical, villainous, evil, abnormal or problematic. It depicts the image of gay
who is struggling to gain an approval and an acceptance from family, friends and
heterosexuals. Due to heterosexism and homophobia, homosexuality emerge as
the victim, target and result of the social hatred and anti-homosexual attitude. The
representation of same-sex kissing and gay marriage eliminate the sense of overt
eroticism and homoerotic stigma stating gay has violated the established norm and
value. Hence, homosexuality is not judged as a deviant behavior, instead, a way to
seek for a self-identification, recognition and truthfulness. Furthermore, the
representation of masculine look erase the sense of masculinity crisis perceiving
gay as effeminate, sissy or flamboyant. The image of gay is presented through the
gay pride parade. It serves to express a pride and a visibility for being a
homosexual, to come out from the private space, and to familiarize heterosexual
public.
Keywords: homosexuality, same-sex kissing, gay marriage, representation, music
video