Gender Performativity of Lesbian Couple in Bingo Love Graphic Novel

¹Gesang Manggala Nugraha Putra | ²Ismi Azizi Olivia

^1,2English Department, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Airlangga

Email: gesang.m@fib.unair.ac.id

Abstract

This study focuses on gender identity problems experienced by the main female characters in the graphic novel Bingo Love: Hazel Johnson and Mari McCray. Both are best friends who later become a couple. The study aims to scrutiny the performativity of the main female characters in the Bingo Love novel through lesbian talk, physical appearance, and sexual activity under Butler’s gender performativity. Results show that the changes that the two characters undergone can be identified in terms of physical appearance, casual and romantic conversation, and physical and sexual interaction. In addition, the study also concludes that gender identity in the characters, shown through appearance and interaction with others, can change according to the current cultural space and time in which they belong to.

Keywords:  Gender Performativity, Queer, Lesbian, Gender Identity, Graphic Novel

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