Queer Theory and the Original Star Wars Trilogy

[Number_6]

I alluded to this over in the Voyager forum, where some people were having a discussion on whether or not any of the actors on that show were gay. Since the discussion was amiable enough, and people here seem to have a pretty open and tolerant attitude, I thought I�d post something in this forum about what I�ve learned over the years regarding the homosexual subtext of the original Star Wars trilogy, particularly A New Hope. I posted this once on another board which was unfortunately closed before I could get many replies, so it would be nice to see if the conversation that never developed over there might develop over here.

Now I know this is going to sound a bit off-the-wall, but this rumor/interpretation has apparently been going around in the gay community for quite a long time. Last term, as I was making plans to teach A New Hope in a literature and film course (I teach college English), and I was told by a gay colleague that I should let students know about the veiled references to a homosexual relationship in the cantina scene between Han Solo and Greedo, and the fact that it�s more than likely that the argument between Greedo and Solo went beyond Solo�s fight with Jabba, and was actually the final argument in a lover�s tiff.

First of all, Greedo�s mouth was apparently designed to suggest a �pocket pu$$y,� and I have to admit, it certainly does look like one. Greedo�s orifice opens wide and invitingly at the precise moment he says �If you give it to me, I might forget I found you,� suggesting that Greedo would be willing to exchange oral favors with Solo in return for letting him make the trip to Alderaan to get Jabba�s money. For a few years after the release of the film, a blow job was often referred to as �getting a Greedo� among the gay community.

Greedo�s accusation to Solo about smugglers who drop their shipment plays on 70s slang in the homosexual community�smuggling a shipment referring to anal sex. When a smuggler �drops his shipment,� it means he�s left (or cheated on) his anal partner. Solo�s reply, �Even I get boarded sometimes� is a reference to the fact that he has been smuggling something other than Greedo�s member, hence Greedo�s anger.

Even the Huttese language that Greedo speaks contains veiled references to homosexuality. In the New York gay community�specifically the patrons of Studio 54�the brand name Frito-Lay had somehow gotten corrupted to the phrase �Peter-Lay,� obviously referring to gay sex. My colleague wasn�t sure what the exact origin of this phrase was�like the Cosmopolitan, many people claim to have invented it�but when Greedo says �Song pich aley,� he actually pronounces it like �Peter-Lay,� and this was apparently deliberate on the part of the voice-over actor, as he was instructed to say the words �Peter-Lay.� Also, �eating a bag of Fritos� was a term for what�s now called �tea bagging.� Weird.

This was also the reason why Solo was so uninterested in Leia as a beautiful princess in A New Hope�he just wasn�t interested in women. When Han says to Luke, �I don�t know . . . what do you think? Do you think a princess, and a guy like me . . .� it�s a veiled reference to his homosexuality, and apparently got a big laugh from gay audience members.

Now I�m not a big fan of the �queering� of literature and film, but my colleague seems to have most of his ducks in a row, and another gay colleague knew instantly what he was talking about, and started describing the same things to me. Since then, I have emailed several gay colleagues at other institutions, and all say that they are aware of the theory and that they are surprised it has not gained more credence in readings of A New Hope.

This was apparently deliberate on the part of Lucas, who included the references in an attempt to deliver a pro-gay message that would go over the heads of the studio but still reach its intended audience. But, not long after the release of the A New Hope, Lucas became more family oriented in his outlook, and denied the rumors, chalking it up to odd coincidence, and arguing that he had always intended Han and Leia to get together, when it�s pretty clear that Luke and Leia were intended for one another in the original plan. For some reason, the gay community has given him a pass, and left it alone, but recent setbacks in the gay rights movement have apparently changed some minds.

Yet despite this movement towards more family-oriented entertainment, Lucas did allow further veiled references to homosexuality to be included in Return of the Jedi, particularly in the character of Jabba and his relationship with Salacious Crumb, which que er theorists have had a ball with (pun intended), characterizing the relationship as a stereotypical boi/daddy one. It also occurs to me that the fact that Jabba is basically a big slug also plays into this whole reading. Notice that while he has two female slaves, both of whom he appears to make advances towards, the most he is able to do with Leia is lick her. Now in the gay community the term "slugging" means to fellate a flaccid pe nis to the point of orgasm, though the pe nis itself never gets hard because of impotency, generally brought on by guilt at engaging in a homosexual relationship. Given Jabba's female slaves, the burly male nature of his court, and the Salacious Crumb boi/daddy relationship, it's more than likely that shaping Jabba as a slug is a reference to his own homosexuality, revealed in part by his ability to do more to Leia than to lick her, a not-so-veiled reference to cunnilingus, often the last resort of a male unable to satisfy his mate through coition. Jabba is able to satisfy neither male nor female partners, his conflicted sexuality making it impossible for him to "rise to the occasion."

From everything I�ve read, the queering of Star Wars has only just begun. If the corroboration of some of the original filming crew can be obtained, then it will be clear that Lucas was sending this veiled message of support to the homosexual community.

So, I know that�s a lot to digest, and it may seem ridiculous to some of you, but this is serious stuff in the world of cultural studies and queer theory. I ask you to please approach what I�ve posted with an open mind, and let me know what you think. Queer bashers need not respond.

[Nicephorus]

Seems to me you're kind of obssessed with the idea that there're so many gay characters in Star Wars.

Are you sure that you're not trying to will these characters into being gay so that you are more comfortable with the films? Are you secretly attracted to Jar-Jar, because if there was a gay character in the Star Wars saga, it was definitely him.

You know he was hitting the bath houses on Coruscant.

So...is that it? Not happy that queers are fashionable, they gotta break into sci-fi too?

What next, pro football?

[lionhead]

isn't "Queer" a curse word? why is that allowed?

[Birdy]

^ It was Check this topic: http://www.startrekvoyager.com/viewtopic.php?t=22600

[Number_6]

"Queer" is NOT a curse word.

As I explained in the thread referenced above, "queer theory" is the term for the sort of reading of the trilogy I'm discussing in this thread.

"Queer" is part of modern parlance--witness Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. It hasn't been a "curse word" for a long time.

As for Nicephorus, you seem to have a problem with homosexuality, and yours is not the sort of response I was looking for here.

I'm serious. This is considered a viable reading of Star Wars. I'd like to hear what some thoughtful fans have to say.

[Number_6]

I'd really hoped to get some replies to this thread. I'm quite curious to know how fans react to what academics do to the films they love.

Anybody?

[Founder]

I disagree with you. There is nothing "gay" about Star Wars. Even of there was a Gay alien in the backround, that doesn't matter. That isn't what the series is about at all. Its very epic and has a destiny theme to it. Not a Gay underlying one. The Greedo thing? I;m sorry, but that is just plain immaturity. Greedo's look? He is supposed to have an insect look to him. Not some weird sex thing. Thats disgusting that anyone sees it like that anyways and immature. As for the sexual innuendo in their conversation, Star Wars is racked with that all over. Especially in ANH.

"Wedge! Pull out! You're not doing any good back there!"
"Luke, at that speed do you think you'll be able to pull out in time?"
"You've got something jammed in here real good."
"Look at the size of that thing!"
"Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?"

"Size matters not. Judge me by my size, do you?"
"Hurry up, golden-rod..."
"Possible he came in through the south entrance."

"Grab me, Chewie. I'm slipping -- hold on. Grab it, almost... you almost got it. Gently now, all right, easy, easy, hold me Chewie."
"Back door, huh? Good idea!"
"She's gonna blow!"

The list goes on and on. It all depends on how "sick" your mind is. If you look for things like that in movies, you'll always find it. The idea that Han Solo is a homosexual is stupid beyond relief. Even that quote you cited that is a "veiled reference to his homosexuality" does not really cut it. In no way is it Gay.

I'm sure that wasn't the feedback you wanted, but that is just my personal opinion. I know that Lucas wasn't trying to somehow push for the gay agenda in these movies. I think he was just trying to make a space soap opera and he succeeded.

[Captain Patrick]

I have to agree with Founder on this topic, it is not a gay themed trilogy just one that was made back in the day when comments like that was not thought to be a gay comment or sick one it is just that immature people today think about it that way.

In my personel opinoin there is nothing gay or queer about the comments/quotes posted above.

[lionhead]

[JanewayLover]

This is actually common knowledge among the gays I associate with. When we were in "mixed company", the guys would sometimes disappear with the explanation of "getting a greedo". Of course, the straights in the room all thought they were watching Star Wars. We knew better.

And I remember one year, in the Halloween Parade that takes place in the Village, there was a Jabba/Crumb couple. The way they were dressed, you knew what they were supposed to be.

I always thought it was the best kept secret among gays, though. I guess not anymore.

[Lord Borg]

[Republican_Man]

I would say exactly as Lord Borg said. There is absolutely NOTHING gay about Star Wars, and in all honesty, and with all due respect, I find it silly to think that there is. Especially the Han-Greedo idea. That is simply DISGUSTING.

[Number_6]

Well, now a second person has come in with a first-hand account of the believe that the Han/Greedo scene has homosexual implications, and that the term "getting a Greedo" was in common use in the gay community in the late 1970s.

Look, I'm not making this up myself, just reporting what I've heard.

However, the few reactions this has gotten so far are interesting. I'm sensing a bit of an antagonistic attitude towards homosexuality on this board. Is this generally the case around here? If so, then your reactions may not be indicative of the general reaction of Star Wars fans.

Just don't shoot the messenger, okay?

[madlilnerd]

Some people can find sexual inuendos in anything, and I think that's what some of the gay comunity have been doing. As for Greedo's probuscus looking like a �pocket pu$$y,� I don't think they were even invented when A New Hope came out! (no pun about coming out of the closet intended)
I totally agree with Founder on this subject.

[Captain Patrick]

[JanewayLover]

Hey! What happened to my last post? It disappeared.

[IntrepidIsMe]

I don't see what the big deal would be even if there was an underlying homsexual meaning... Or whatever. Who knows? Or even better.... who cares?

[Republican_Man]

[IntrepidIsMe]

How do you know that he didn't, exactly?

I don't see how its "sick." I might if its based off of something true, but its fiction. And there isn't a law against homosexuality in fiction. Movies are open for interpretation, no matter how you want to see it.

[Founder]

[IntrepidIsMe]

Well, its fiction. Whos to say what isn't there and what is? I personally don't see it, but its just a movie. You can see whatever you want.

[Founder]

Exactly. Its a matter of what you want to see. Its like sitting with a little kid at a movie and they laugh because "That alien's mouth looks like a "p***y!!!" ha. ha. I'm sure you would find that annoying and immature. The kids are missing the point. Lucas just tried to make an exotic looking alien. Its not his fault thats all they can see.

[Jeff Miller]

[Theresa]

I agree with Aaron. Everyone gets something different from a movie, something that makes it personally identifiable. But really, who cares?

[Captain Skyline]

I think your looking too much into this,