Mae West: Inversion Theory

Jill Watts, biographer of MAE WEST, distinguished professor at CSUSM, and talented author of books on Father Divine [1879—1965] and Hattie McDaniel [1895—1952], which has inspired a bio-pic about the Oscar winner, has kindly consented to an exclusive interview with The Mae West Blog. This is Part 15.
• • The Gays and Mae • •
• • JILL WATTS: Mae West was an early LBGT ally. I think there is no doubt that she was very comfortable with gay men and was interested in respecting their choices and elevating their lives.
• • JW:  It is true, though, that she was not as supportive of women overall.  As you pointed out, she did not mentor younger women in show business, at least directly.  I think she dispensed advice but she didn’t take any women under her wing.  She made disparaging remarks about lesbian women, which is curious given her supportiveness of gay men.  It may well have been an insecurity on her part and a fear that, if she was too publicly supportive of lesbians, then she might be labeled one.  In her era, that would have hurt her career — — if it should be known. 
• • JW: Despite Mae West’s boldness, and she was a pathbreaker, she was also a careful careerist.
• • The Inversion Theory • •
• • JW:  Additionally, Mae subscribed to the psychological theory of “inversion” as an explanation of why individuals chose same sex relationships. 
• • Same Sex Attraction • • . . .
• • This exciting interview with Prof. Jill Watts will be continued on the next post.
• • Recommended Reading: “Mae West: An Icon in Black and White” by Jill Watts [Oxford University Press; paperback edition, 2003]; 400 pages.
• • On Monday, 21 August 1944 • •

• • An article "'Catherine Was Great' but Mae West Makes Her Dull" was printed along with photos in Life Magazine (pages 71— 72) in the issue dated for Monday, 21 August 1944.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West, who used to enjoy going to the famous hotspot Cocoanut Grove, lights up the animated film feature "Coo-Coo Nut Grove" [1936] directed by Friz Freleng.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "If you can't go straight, you've got to go around."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A web site in the United Kingdom mentioned Mae West.
• • Ivy Paige showed off the talents that give her Edinburgh show its title, Seduction,  when she appeared at Chortle's Fast Fringe showcase in London last month.
• • The cabaret artist, who once appeared on ITV’s The Voice, said she likes to think of herself as ’80 per cent Mae West, 20 per cent Rose West’ before diving into the audience. . . .
• • Source: Item on Chortle [U.K.]; published on Thursday, 16 August 2018
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • • 
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — — 
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/

• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 14th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fourteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,000 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fourteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4028th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1944 • •
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