Homophobic and Sexist yet Uncontested: Examining Football Fan Postings on Internet Message Boards

    Authors

    E. M. Kian; G. Clavio; J. Vincent;S. D. Shaw

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Homosex.

    Keywords

    sport media; internet message boards; college football; homophobia; sexism; new media; INCLUSIVE MASCULINITY; HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY; MARCH MADNESS; COVERAGE; MEN; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

    Abstract

    Although a homophobic and sexist archetype of heterosexual masculinity has been thought to permeate competitive teamsport, matters have been rapidly changing. This is evident in research on openly gay athletes, attitudes among heterosexual athletes, and recent studies on decreasing homophobia among sport media content. In this research, however, we examine how some men still adhere to a homophobic and sexist masculine deposition when discussing sport on the Internet. A textual analysis was used to analyze hegemonic masculinity from a popular American football message board. Although posts related to hegemonic masculinity did not permeate the data, we found that this traditional form of masculinity was upheld through misogyny, homophobia, and the objectification of women. Thus, whereas mainstream sport media is increasingly policed for homophobia and sexism, this research shows that the anonymity of the Internet permits hegemonic masculinity to flourish in specific locations, without contestation.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Homosexuality

    Volume

    58

    Issue/Number

    5

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    680

    Last Page

    699

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000290047700008

    ISSN

    0091-8369

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