The Gentlemen are queer-coded -- "Hush"

[ProphecyGay]

Is it just me, or are the Gentlemen queer coded? Their mannerisms are flamboyant, they are dressed well, are otherwise groomed (sans the scabby skin), and they have their own intro song.

On the mannerisms, it is worth noting that for characters that do not speak, their communication methods are all through pantomime (as no sign language is used). This is not the same type of mannerisms used by the Sunnydale residents who are forced to act without speech or sign language. The Gentlemen are seen using "golf claps," and "gay hand" (see the response to golf claps when jarring a heart); they also refuse to walk and rather glide (that is a joke, but adds to the point).

It is also not lost on me that this is where we get Tara and Willow together as a witchy coven pair.

If they are queer-coded, is it because they are the episode's big bad? Is it a coincidence?

 

[Ethan Reigns]

I don't get queer coded" from them at all. Just like the residents of Sunnydale, they can't speak either, so their communication will be through gestures and they have to make them flamboyant because without speech or hearing, you have to attract attention just to make sure the message gets across. They are dressed well and glide to accentuate the difference between them and their lackeys/slaves who stumble and shuffle along. This shows they are dominant in the hierarchy, even though there are only two visible levels, gentlemen and lackeys.

There are a lot of professions that are largely male but that doesn't mean they are queer. it just means that most women do not qualify for a certain job due to strength issues or may not prefer these jobs due to difficulty, danger or conditions that are not "girly". That may be why we got the gentlemen, not the ladies and gentlemen. Armies and navies are not generally queer even though they involve men interacting with other men.

 

[epimetrius]

I do understand where you're coming from. But I'm not 100% on queer coding, it'd be deeply hypocritical since we got our first major Willow/Tara moment in the same episode. But to extend the thought, if the coding was true, it would come with a "acceptable queerness vs unacceptable queerness."

I do feel the Gentlemen are meant to fit in a category of uncanny. Meaning their polite mannerisms and nifty dressing is more to contrast with their horrific mission. Further the golf claps followed by the humble acknowledgement of praise seems more quaint than queer, adding to the uncanny fairy tale vibe. There is a long history of making gay mannerisms villainous, so I do see where you're coming from.

Post automatically merged: Apr 28, 2023

Also, the vibe of the Gentlemen is very Vincent Price impression, so more of copying horror icons. Price himself being bi.

 

[thetopher]

The look, movement and mannerisms of The Gentlemen invoke Nosferatu more than anything, I'd say.