To quote Hartmann: Herre, des wundert mich.

[mothwing]

I have to admit, this abstract really leaves me wanting more and raises some questions, especially about what the point of this is, really. It may be my headache, but I really feel as though I'm not getting something here.

«Standing OUT/Fitting IN: Identity, Appearance, and Authenticity in Gay and Lesbian Communities»

Sexuality scholars have noted the historical connection between appearance and gay or lesbian identity. However, as the social landscape for lesbian women and gay men has shifted over the past forty years, little research has documented how such changes influence gay and lesbian individuals' appearance choices as they form, manage, and maintain their identities. To explore the impact of this "post-closet" (Seidman 2002) era on the identities and appearances of lesbians and gays, in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty individuals, aged eighteen to thirty. Findings suggest that while most people use appearance to attain a sense of authenticity after "coming out," achieving a feeling of authenticity in gay and lesbian spaces presents unique challenges as individuals come under scrutiny by the community.

David J. Hutson‌.

1. Post-closet era. Post. Closet. Era.
2. How, pray tell, do you "use appearance to attain a sense of authenticity"...? I mean, I'm guessing here that they're aiming at the struggles that femme women face to "look gay enough" in the eyes of some people and the backlash that butch women get for "embodying a negative and harmful stereotype", but I'm still left with the feeling that I need to find myself a pansexual outfit ASAP. Maybe some bisexual pants? Does that mean that Crocky has to cut her hair? I just... yeah.

Also, I am not sure why they went for a qualitative study here, and I'd really appreciate if someone enlightened me. And also, the point of this. So twenty people say that they use their appearance to signify their identity ~authentically~. And now?

Comments

[lysanatt.livejournal.com]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! OMG!

This is probably the only sensible reply to the above research.

[mothwing.livejournal.com]

Seriously. I can't wait to get a hold of that article to see who thought that this was a good idea for what reason, and whether it's just the wording that's too weird for me to get. It just doesn't seem as though any of this makes any sense.

[lysanatt.livejournal.com]

Typewise, it sounds a bit like the scholars from outside who want to do research on fandom...They so don't has eeet. And the won't ever get it.

However, I look forward to new fashion books and magazines based on this... brilliant research. Dressing to improve your (generic you) queerness obviously is the new, er- old pink. Or something.*shakes head*