The Wizard of Oz (an asexual reading)

1939 Hollywood fantasy movie, The Wizard of Oz, is known for its strong association with gay male culture, thought to be the origin for homosexual men using the code ‘Friend of Dorothy’ to identify themselves to each other from the 1950s onwards. However, other readings are possible. Academic writer Alexander Doty saw Dorothy as a lesbian, torn between her attraction to the femme Glinda and butch Wicked Witch of the West. Meanwhile, internet user ‘Spoofmaster’ posted a reading of the film online which regards Dorothy as asexual because she chooses gay non-human companions – that’s the Scarecrow, Tinman, and Cowardly Lion – whilst in Oz. We invite viewers to focus on the latter idea and think about asexuality and its hiddenness (or not!) in popular culture.

Introduced with the reading of extracts from Spoofmaster’s post in The Asexual Visibilty & Education Network’s online forum, titled ‘The Wizard of Oz: an asexual reading.’

Tickets are priced on a sliding scale £0-£8 depending on what you can afford. To book, please use the button below or call CCA box office on +44 (0)141 352 4900.

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ACCESS

Film in the English language with English language subtitles/captions. The introduction will be BSL interpreted. Hearing loop available.

Film relies on visual material to convey ideas but has a lot of explanatory dialogue, so is relatively accessible for blind and partially sighted audiences. Large print versions of handouts available.

CCA has good access for wheelchair users. Click here for more details on venue access.

Comfy seating (bean bags) available. If you would like to reserve this, please contact access@sqiff.org.

We have a limited travel fund to assist people to come to the Festival for those who could not otherwise afford to attend. If you would like to apply for this, please contact access@sqiff.org.

Tickets

In order to make SQIFF more accessible to those on a low income, we use a sliding scale ticket price of £0-£8 for our events. You can choose what you pay based on your circumstances – you won’t be asked for any proof / ID, we just ask that you are honest! Our ticket sales go towards supporting the vital work of LGBTQ+ filmmakers, artists and organisers. If you have a free ticket and can no longer use it, please contact the relevant venue box office to let them know so it can be used by someone else. For more info on what you should pay, click here.