Heteronormality (is that word?)

The episode of Ali G about Alabama, “the gayest part of America,” is interesting in the way it points out the heteronormative aspect of American culture, especially involving Sports like football. The point of interest in this scene, is in the beginning when Bruno is at the Alabama versus Mississippi football game and attempts to join the female cheerleaders as they dance and cheer on the Alabama squad. As soon as Bruno begins dancing with the cheerleaders, he is booed by the fans, is sternly warned to stop dancing, and is given the middle finger. Then the whole audience begins to boo him until he stops dancing. The paradox of this situation is that it is the “norm” that that the female cheerleaders, who clearly exude heterosexuality, are encouraged to dance by the fans, yet it is clearly unacceptable for Bruno, who exudes blatant homosexuality, to dance at all in front of the fans at the game. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a heteronormative requirement or expectation that the cheerleaders clearly exude heterosexuality as opposed to homosexuality.

My favorite quote of the entire episode, one which I feel epitomizes the anti-gay sentiment embodied by the clip, is uttered by Shaud Williams, the Alabama player who Bruno interviews. When Bruno asks Shaud what he would you like to say to the Austrian gay community, Shaud responds “Don’t come looking for me!” This quote perfectly illustrates the distance and fear of homosexuality in general that goes hand in hand with the heteronormative aspects of culture, especially in places like Alabama.