Notes on Queerness in Punk Culture

Introduction

• DIY Queer Punk Fanzine JD (1989):
  • Featured a picture of Sid Vicious and Nils Stevenson.
  • Bold statement: "ALL PUNKS ARE GAY".
• Purpose: Challenge the assumed heterosexuality in punk.

Historical Context of Queerness in Punk

• Queerness Linked to Punk: Both overtly and covertly present.
• Alexander Doty: Queer interpretations are not alternative but rooted in cultural texts.

Etymology of "Punk"

• Origins:
  • Medieval folk song "Simon the Old Kinj" - punk referred to a sex worker.
  • Shakespeare used punk in "Measure for Measure".
  • 1930s definition by Mez Mezro: Punk as a young man in a feminine role in homosexual relationships.

Influential Figures and Bands

• Little Richard: Described being called punk and freak as a youth.
• Queer Inmates:
  • Used punk as a badge of honor in the 60s/70s.
• Notable Bands:
  • The Stooges, New York Dolls, Velvet Underground: Ties to queer art scenes and gender fluidity.
  • Jane County: Trans performance artist, influenced punk and David Bowie.
  • David Bowie: Adopted queer aesthetics after seeing County perform.
  • Ramones: Their style mirrored that of gay male hustlers.

Punk and Cinema

• John Waters: Identified with punk community; films like "Pink Flamingos" and "Female Trouble" were punk films.
• Rocky Horror Picture Show: Contrasts heteronormative ideals with queerness.

Los Angeles Punk Scene

• Vaginal Davis:
  • Black queer performer, influential in LA scene.
  • Critiqued white privilege and heteronormativity.
• Alice Bagg & Darby Crash:
  • Important queer figures; Crash created a cult-like community.

Queercore Movement

• Emergence in 80s/90s:
  • Response to the AIDS crisis and anti-queer sentiments.
  • Notable bands: Limp Wrist, Pansy Division, Tribe 8.
• Terminology:
  • "Queercore" and "Homocore" coined in JD's zine.
  • GB Jones and Bruce LaBruce influential in early Queercore.

Why Queerness in Punk is Overlooked

• Sidelining of Queer Bands:
  • Popular bands adopted ideas from queercore without recognition.
• Nihilism and Anti-Conformity:
  • Punk as a communal space for social pariahs.

Conclusion

• Queerness is Integral to Punk:
  • Cannot separate punk culture from its queer roots.
  • Acknowledgment of LGBTQIA contributions essential.
• Current Queer Punk Scene:
  • Acknowledgement of queerness in punk is ongoing, not new.
  • Alexander Doty: Queerness has always been present in punk.