Butler vs. Rucas

Judith Butler argued that gender is not the result of nature, but how we are raised in society rules and culture. In 500 Days of Summer, the roles of gender are subverted between Summer and Tom, therefore conforming to Butler's theory. The heterosexual male spectator from Butler's point of view will not be able to have an allegiance with Summer or Tom due to their subverted gender characteristics. Summer is more masculine than Tom, which may lead these spectators to want Tom to be more mach and as a result have a sympathy towards him.
Female spectators may take a negotiated reading from this view point because of the sympathy that they may feel for Tom could lead to some sort of attraction.

Gender trouble is created when the roles are subverted.

Derek Rucas claims that homosexual spectators can only view the movie through a female gaze. For the empathy of being suppressed.

Homosexual-

Alternative and independent cinema 

Treated like an illness till the 1990s

Oppressed 

Abnormal 

Broke back mountain- first mainstream homosexual film