Berto_Tony_201307_PhD .pdf - University of Guelph

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minor of the same sex. The same-sex aspect of this liaison connects homosexuality with the
sexual abuse of minors which is a criminal act. This connection replays misunderstandings
in the public sphere and may support the widely held notion that homosexuals are sexually
attracted, and thus dangerous, to youths and children (Herek, Stigma 8-9). However, a
number of studies challenge this notion. Groth and Birnbaum state "Homosexuality and
homosexual paedophilia are not synonymous. In fact, it may be that these two orientations
are mutually exclusive" (136). For this reason Herek states "it is preferable to refer to men's
sexual abuse of boys with the more accurate label of male-male molestation" rather than use
the word homosexual (Herek, "Facts" 1). Malcolm appears to have what the American
Psychiatric Association's DSM-5 draft would consider a paraphilic disorder, and not a
homosexual orientation (DSM-5). While there are clear distinctions between such a
paraphilia and homosexuality, these may not be understood widely by the public, as Herek
makes clear (7-8). As such MacLennan’s narrative creates a space where these conflicting
ideas may be explored.
Malcolm's sexual behaviour creates connections between male-male sex acts, and
criminal and psychopathological behaviours concerning minor abuse. It also replays a
common theme that those that experience same-sex behaviour are doomed. Nevertheless,
MacLennan’s text allows a reader to perceive Malcolm's behaviour as a disease which he
presumably acquired as a defenseless youth himself, and with which he consciously battles.
This metaphor of disease circulates throughout the play and appears to be transferred
between generations. These connections recall motifs found in twentieth century gay
theatrical representations which perpetuate false understandings concerning homosexuality.
While these motifs no longer reflect the legal, medical or even academic understandings of