In Angels in America Tony Kushner argues that when situations arise in which people, who are not already ‘out’ as members of the LGBTQ+ community, must label their sexuality (I.e., Aids) they will struggle with this (47).
When Roy hears that he has AIDS he is unable to accept it because he does not identify with one of the four H’s (hemophiliac, Haitian, heroin user, homosexuals). Even though Roy regularly has sex with men, he shouts at his doctor “Roy Cohn is not a homosexual. Roy Cohn is a heterosexual man, Henry who fucks around with guys.” He refers to himself in the third person because his self-perception is based on how others view him in society (straight). He believes that “homosexuals are men who know nobody and who nobody knows. Who have zero clout” (46). Roy says this to Henry to ‘prove’ he is not homosexual for he is symbol for hard work and masculinity in this story—he is the one who knows President Reagan after all. Roy believes that being homosexual will prevent him from gaining trust and respect from other successful people which is why he is so sensitive to this information and rather believes he has liver cancer.
Another example that supports my claim shows up when Harper asks Joe if he is homosexual. Joe does not outright deny her accusation and refers to his gayness as a ‘thing that he’s fought very hard to kill’ (40). He then says, “all I will say is that I am a very good man who has worked very hard to become good and you want to destroy that” (41). He believes that accepting his identity will prevent him from being a ‘good’ Mormon in the same aspect that Roy believes being homosexual will prevent him from being good at his job.
Roy and Joe feel like their queer identities contradict other facets of their identities which are more outwardly appearing, like being a successful lawyer and a kind husband and Mormon. Both characters are essentially forced to come out, which explains such emotional reactions from each of them. They don’t feel safe coming out because people have already formed ideas of who they are in their heads. Even though Roy is not married to a woman, like Joe is people have already deemed him straight too because he is successful even though the two characteristics are clearly unrelated.
I really liked your interpretation of the characters. I agree with this idea of Roy being the representation of “masculinity” in the text. He defines himself as a tough and strong man and therefore successful, and as a last result, a good person, as if these characteristics were part of the same thing or as if they were cause and consequence. He is so into what society thinks of him that he is unable to accept himself. I had not thought of him in this specific way before you mentioned it here.
I really like your analysis and your focus on the need of society that people “out” themselves as queer. I believe that you point out a key aspect when you mention that Roy views himself how society sees him, which means a straight and successful lawyer. The need to portray himself a certain way in order to be accepted in society and not questioned in his sexuality, reminds me of Jones’ poem “History according to Boy” in which “boy” is behaving very “masculine” to hide his homosexuality and fit into the picture society has of him.