#dee michel

[fifthdialogue]

Even before he gets his heart from the Wizard, the Woodman does in fact care a lot. In the MGM movie, he often breaks into tears, and in the books, citizens of Oz love him for his courtesy, kindness, and gentleness. Baum's Woodman even empathizes with bugs and flowers. Once, after he killed a beetle by accident, his jaw rusted from his tears of regret and sorrow. Some fans identify with the Woodman's search for a heart, relating it to their own lack of emotion.

Dee Michel, "Friends of Dorothy: Why Gay Boys and Gay Men Love The Wizard of Oz"

[true-munchkin-geezer]

Was watching Matt Baume's Oz video and I just noticed that Dee Michel has a print of the "close and loving embrace" illustration on his wall.

[fifthdialogue]

When you escape to Oz, you can be free of the constraints of your old home and create a new gay home for yourself, with new friends and an adopted gay family.

Dee Michel, "Friends of Dorothy: Why Gay Boys and Gay Men Love The Wizard of Oz"

[fifthdialogue]

By using the Ruby (or Silver) Slippers to get what she wants at the end of the story, Dorothy finally understands the power she possesses. Because many of the personages in Oz stories are so weird, and their weirdness is accepted as normal, they model authentic individuality for the reader or viewer.

Dee Michel, "Friends of Dorothy: Why Gay Boys and Gay Men Love The Wizard of Oz"

[fifthdialogue]

When you interpret something from a gay point of view or demonstrate that gay folks have a special affinity for something, there is always the possibility that cranky heterosexuals will think you're stealing something from them.

Dee Michel, "Friends of Dorothy: Why Gay Boys and Gay Men Love The Wizard of Oz"

[fifthdialogue]

Oz fans who are not gay will also accept the gay love of Oz to the extent that they accept gay people in general. If gay people are OK, then the fact that they love Oz is OK too. If gay people are seen as bad or icky, then their love of Oz is threatening; their association with Oz will sully the homophobic person's treasured childhood memory.

Dee Michel, "Friends of Dorothy: Why Gay Boys and Gay Men Love The Wizard of Oz"

[fifthdialogue]

In Oz you can be yourself - obviously gay, gender-atypical, flamboyant, whatever; it's all OK.

Dee Michel, "Friends of Dorothy: Why Gay Boys and Gay Men Love The Wizard of Oz"

[true-munchkin-geezer]

Young fans identify with Dorothy because she ran away from bullies and searched for a better place. Oz symbolizes a place away from the oppression of being a gay child, a safe harbor from teasing, and a place of refuge where one can be oneself. The stories are about misfits with unusual identities who find imaginative and courageous ways to get away from persecution, and end up being respected and famous. Oz stories give a young gay boy a glimpse of another way his life could be. They offer happier endings to one's own story.

Dee Michel, "Friends of Dorothy: Why Gay Boys and Gay Men Love The Wizard of Oz" (Page 125)