An Inherently Masculine Practice: Understanding the Sexual Victimization of Queer Women

Abstract

Sexual violence is a widespread social issue, and sexual victimization is especially prevalent among queer-identified women. Still, there is little research on queer women’s experiences of sexual violence or explanations for the high rate of victimization. This study uses data from 40 open-ended interviews to investigate queer women’s experiences with sexual violence and those who perpetrate it. Respondents answered questions about the characteristics of their sexual assaults and perpetrators, as well as connections the survivors perceive between their sexual assaults and sexual identities. Findings indicate that the perpetrators of such sexual assaults invoke an expression of masculinity, regardless of the perpetrator’s gender identity at the time of violence. To understand the nuanced role of masculinity in queer assailant’s assaults, we develop the concept of “righteous masculinity,” which refers to a traditional (and, in this case, violent) masculinity invoked by marginalized people in an attempt to reclaim power. We find that sexual violence against queer women is an especially powerful way to enact masculinity through drawing upon misogyny and homophobia simultaneously, providing an explanation for the high rates of sexual victimization among queer women. We argue that centering masculinity can help scholars and activists better challenge the sexual victimization of queer women and deepen understanding of the links between gender-based violence and masculinity.

Online Anti-Rape Activism: Exploring the Politics of the Personal in the Age of Digital Media

“…One particular comment stated, 'More campaigns [are needed] including women who are targeted by women, men who are targeted by men, [and] women who are targeted by men'. Experiences of transgender women and men, however, remained markedly absent from these digital spaces, despite lesbian, queer and transgender women disproportionately experience sexual violence (Bedera & Nordmeyer, 2020;Guadalupe-Diaz, 2019;Meyer, 2016;Mortimer, Powell, & Sandy, 2019). It is essential that the parameters of recognition and representation are broadened within anti-rape activism, as there is a dearth of research and knowledge on the experiences of LGBTQ sexual violence survivors, which is reflected in the way support services and primary respondents are insufficiently equipped to address their needs (Guadalupe-Diaz, 2019;Mortimer et al, 2019).…”

“…The victim-survivors who identified as lesbians within these online anti-rape spaces tended to describe experiences of rape that were more often than not perpetrated by heterosexual men asserting misogynistic attitudes of sexual entitlement to, or conquests over these women's bodies (Bedera & Nordmeyer, 2020). Their experiences might therefore also be classified as hate crimes, or 'corrective' rape, seeking to reinforce heterosexuality as the 'norm'.…”

“…For example, the Pixel Project chose not to focus on LGBTQ experiences in their activism because they 'have a very specific set of needs' according to Angela, and 'we don't have any expertise in the LGBT issue [sic.]'. However, as I outlined above, the underlying contributing cause in many instances of sexual assault, irrespective of sexuality and gender identity, is masculinity (Bedera & Nordmeyer, 2020). Angela noted that this decision to exclude the LGBTQ community had resulted in transgender folk, in particular, being aggressive towards the project.…”

“…Moreover, as a cis-gendered heterosexual woman, I did not feel it was appropriate to approach activists working in this area without first establishing a strong rapport with those engaged in these digital spaces. Given the prevalence of violence in LGBTQ relationships and the persistent failure to effectively believe and support these individuals (Bedera & Nordmeyer, 2020;Guadalupe-Diaz, 2019), I regret this decision. However, I strongly advocate for further research to explore the ways in which digital spaces enable LGBTQ victimsurvivors to connect as well as breakdown heterosexist and cissexist assumptions about rape and sexual assault (Mortimer et al, 2019).…”

“…While these spaces did not outright exclude men, the overwhelming majority of people who participated in them identified as 'women.' In some ways, this inadvertently re-responsibilises women, and the onus thus remains on primarily women and other survivors to speak out about and prevent rape, despite evidence that many of the causes of rape lie at the heart of structural masculinity (Bedera & Nordmeyer, 2020;Brownmiller, 1975;Campbell & Wasco, 2005;Mardorossian, 2014). It was clear on the discussion broads associated with the Rape Crisis Scotland campaigns that attempts by activists to shift this responsibility were heavily resisted, yet at the same time, there was also opposition to the idea of (heterosexual) women as sole victim-survivors.…”