Mapping the Terrain of Homosexually-Themed Language

Abstract

In this article, I present a new model for understanding homosexually-themed language. By detailing how old conceptualizations of homophobic language no longer maintain heuristic utility in explaining the social dynamics of many sport and educational settings, I situate other conceptualizations of homosexually-themed language depending on the cultural context. I argue that whether language is considered homophobic, or whether it is better conceptualized as fag discourse, gay discourse or pro-gay language, is primarily dependent on the homohysteria of a setting. This model should enable scholars and educators to understand the operation of homosexually-themed language in society and properly evaluate the homophobia of a setting.

Discussing homosexuality on association football fan message boards: A changing cultural context

“…Thus, the language operating in football message boards demonstrates a change in cultural context from what was reported to exist in the late 1980s and early 1990s (Connell, 1987(Connell, , 1990Messner, 1992;Messner and Sabo, 1990;Pronger, 1990) to one of increasing inclusivity (Anderson, 2009(Anderson, , 2011McCormack, 2011). Similar to what happened with the eradication of overt racism in football from the 1980s, Pringle and Hickey (2010: 115) have argued that there are now a range of techniques of self that individuals use in resisting 'hypermasculine forms of subjection'.…”

“…For some posters, there is a sense that the message board allows them an opportunity to raise their masculine capital by stating homophobic views, whether they are accepted by fellow posters or not. The suggestion that homosexuality is 'detrimental to a cohesive family based society' and the 'disgust' of homosexuality in an 'alpha-male society' highlights the homophobic intent that remains for some fans (McCormack, 2011). In posts such as this, hate speech retains a place in football discourse (Butler, 1997).…”

“…At the same time, there has also been an increasing focus on the changing cultural context of language when discussing sexuality (Butler, 1997;McCormack, 2011;McCormack and Anderson, 2010;Pascoe, 2007). According to McCormack (2011), previous discussions on homosexually-themed language normally concentrated on whether a particular phrase or word was homophobic or not.…”

“…According to McCormack (2011), previous discussions on homosexually-themed language normally concentrated on whether a particular phrase or word was homophobic or not. However, Pascoe (2007) argues that as subcultures across Anglo-American society have changed, so has the discourse surrounding homophobia.…”

The intersection of youth masculinities, decreasing homophobia and class: an ethnography

“…In addition to a near-total erasure of homophobic language, it is important to note that when homophobic language was used at Fallback College, it occurred in a markedly different social context to what the literature traditionally describes (Jackson 2006;McCormack 2011b). Aiden, Charlie and Jamie were the only three students that used homophobic language, and they did so rarely.…”