The Masculine Mystique

<p>This textual analysis explores the rhetoric of exclusion among homosexual men by analyzing DouchebagsofGrindr.com. The rhetoric of exclusion is used by some homosexual men in order to achieve hegemonic masculinity based on performance of gender, age, race, and physical characteristics to conquer stereotypes of femininity. The gay community utilizes civil rights rhetoric in order to create a dialogue about equality; unfortunately a disturbing number of gay community members frequently discount homosexual male minorities, perpetuating the notion that homosexual minorities are unattractive because they violate heteronormative gender performances. Analyzing the artifact DouchebagsofGrindr.com allows for a glimpse into the self-deprecating online behavior employed by some members of the gay community to obtain hegemonic masculinity.</p> <p>Hegemonic ideology is shown to influence communication processes, which indicates that culture and society effect how male gender roles should be performed. Heterosexuality is associated with perceptions of masculinity, and discourse becomes disputed when men do not adequately perform their gender as dictated by society. By utilizing masculinity and the public sphere as a theoretical lens, this study highlights the burden on the gay community to appear masculine and physically attractive in order to feel accepted. This research found through the reframing of 349 profiles posted on DouchebagsofGrindr.com that profile photos, profile text, and identifying information of Grindr users are factors that members on DouchebagsofGrindr.com use to determine if a profile should be posted on the website. Finally, findings suggest that the gay community perceives effeminate acting gay men as having failed to adequately conceptualize hegemonic masculinity.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication Studies

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Chancellor, Michael W., Jr.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Casey Maugh Funderburk
• Steven Venette
• Keith Erickson

• hegemony
• masculinity
• grindr
• gay
• dating
• Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Repository record dc:identifier

https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/120

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1134