The famous Globe Theatre in London announced that an upcoming production I, Joan, about Joan of Arc, will portray Joan as “non-binary” and use “they/them” pronouns.
The poster shows Saint Joan wearing a chest binder, looking depressed, and nervously twisting her wrist. It doesn’t exactly scream feminist icon.
“It’s going to be this big, sweaty, queer, revolution, rebellion, festival of joy!” the play’s writer, Charlie Josephine — who identifies as “nonbinary” — explained. “It’s like an expansion of a historical figure. I hope that opens new possibilities for empathy and new possibilities for understanding for everyone.”
Everyone?
Feminists have long claimed Joan of Arc as an icon because of how she broke traditional gender norms by wearing men’s clothing and taking on military leadership in the 15th century. Others have insisted that Joan’s busting of gender stereotypes is less significant than her Catholic faith since that was her most foundational belief, which she died professing. In either case, almost everyone can agree that Joan of Arc was a remarkable woman — and largely because she was a woman.
While the Globe’s production isn’t necessarily casting doubt on the literal femaleness of the historical figure, Joan of Arc, the idea being promoted here is still sexist: On account of her departure from gender norms, Joan wasn’t a woman — hooray for that.