The Lobster Dance

Every year, I discuss the never-ending stream of sexist, racist costumes and criticism thereof, praying for an end to all this bullshit. I’m back again with this year’s round, which defies all logic and reason. Ghostbusters (2016), in addition to being one of my favorite films this year, is a great opportunity for an ensemble costume. Making/altering jumpsuits and building proton packs isn’t everyone’s game, so you’d think the franchise’s popularity would be helpful in getting ready-made costumes for the Ghostbuster who doesn’t need or want a cosplay project. And yet.

Fusion ran an article detailing all of the fails–and a few of the wins–of the costumes, including the nonsense boots and the inaccurate wigs*, as well as other versions of “sexy Ghostbuster” costumes.

Here’s the thing. Ghostbusters 2016 is already sexy. If watching women kick ass in practical clothing is a fetish, sign me up. One of the things I’ve learned from being in queer spaces with bi/queer women and non-binary folks is that we have such an expansive understanding of physical, emotional, and sexual attraction outside of the male gaze. Being with others discussing what non-mainstream they find attractive about individuals has been liberating as hell. Instead of those who objectify and reduce others to body parts, I’ve found a place (and a partner) who admire the shape of others’ hands, the confidence and happiness one experiences when their pronouns are respected and their clothes feel right, the sound of a voice, the touch of another’s skin. It’s a place outside of heterosexism as well as homonormativity.

Which brings me to Holtzmann, who reads as queer AF but not as a stereotype. Instead of rushing into battle wearing practically nothing (so as to titillate straight men), she puts on her goggles, licks her gun, and runs in screaming in her jumpsuit. It was glorious. Holtzmann screams “one of us” to queer women/NB folks, but let us not overlook our other Ghostbusters, because queerness comes in all forms and fashions. Autostraddle had a great article on how queer all the Ghostbusters are, and I’m inclined to agree. Make it canon, Feig.

So when will we queer folks have our own Halloween costume stores?

*For the fashionable wig shopper on a modest-to-moderate budget, may I suggest my favorite wig shop, Amphigory?