The Birdcage – Alternative Families in the ’90s

Based on a play and film adaptation from the 1970s, the film The Birdcage was released in 1996. It follows a gay couple, Armand and Albert, who own and perform at their drag club, The Birdcage.

Armand’s son Val suddenly tells him that he is engaged to the daughter of a highly conservative senator and wants to arrange a dinner between the parents. To impress Senator Keeley and his wife, Armand and Albert try to disguise their lifestyle, religion, and relationship to appear as a Christian, traditional, straight family.

They change their decor, their surname changes from “Goldman” to “Coleman,” and Albert, the star drag queen at The Birdcage, uses his makeup, costume, and theatrical talents to become “Mrs. Coleman,” posing as Val’s mother.

The Alternative Vision

We are introduced to the Goldmans: Armand, Albert, and Val. Armand and Albert live a fast-paced life of dancing, singing, and nightlife management. The movie uses stereotypical depictions of LGBTQ+ nightlife and the drag scene to introduce the couple.

While LGBTQ+ characters were featured in movies and sitcoms before 1996, The Birdcage represented a gay couple that deeply cared for their son, making sacrifices and accepting right-wing in-laws despite the homophobic values within the political party. The film subverts a conservative and traditional family structure while still conveying a family bond that is not only loving but functional.

Was “The Goldman Family” Achievable in 1990s Society?

In the 1990s, same-sex marriage was not recognized, nor was it widely accepted in American culture. Republican influence forced the Defense of Marriage Act to federally prohibit same-sex marriage in America. The movie is a direct commentary on Republican leaders’ distaste and ignorance of non-conservative people.

Marriage equality and anti-discrimination laws are necessary to help all families be recognized in society. Increased representation of LGBT+ families in the media is also necessary. Showing audiences that non-traditional families are functional, loving, and not as different as society makes them out to be will help with normalization and acceptance.

The Birdcage highlights a need for systemic change in the societal acceptance of LGBT+ families. Using renowned actors like Robin Williams, who starred in successful family movies throughout the 1990s (Jumanji, Mrs. Doubtfire), challenges the stigma that same-sex couples cannot fulfill family roles of a father, mother, and children. Williams was known for portraying warm, relatable characters in family films. The casting emphasized that love, commitment, and nurture are universal values.

Have we achieved this acceptance in 2025?

Progress has been made for LGBTQ+ rights since The Birdcage was released in 1996. In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality and same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Their marriages are recognized, and are able to both be recognized as parents and adopt as a couple.

However, while we have made strides to input marriage equality laws, the state of politics is beginning to backpedal with Republican influence. Even societal acceptance is beginning to ebb away as lawmakers are receiving support with proposals to oppose same-sex marriage.

Even with laws protecting and recognizing the LGBTQ+ community, it is still vital to represent “alternative visions” that are not traditionally represented in the media. The story of The Birdcage helps viewers realize that despite differences, all families deserve recognition.