Changing spaces, changing faces: The shifting behaviour, performativity and identification of gay and lesbian individuals between different social spaces

Abstract

This study seeks to uncover how different spaces influence the behaviour of gay and lesbian individuals. Due to the heteronormative structure which exists in many social spaces, it is important to consider how these individuals use different methods of managing their behaviour and how they consequently express or conceal their sexuality in order to fit in to this framework. By interviewing eleven participants (three females, eight males) aged between eighteen and twenty-five, the findings of this study demonstrate the varied nature of individual experiences. The results showed that behaviour management was influenced by different school environments, neighbourhoods and social venues, with many having been influenced by previous instances of homophobic assault. It was discovered that factors such as clothing, speech and bodily mannerisms were all affected by different spaces. This study contributes to an existing body of geographical literature on sexualities by depicting individual gay and lesbian narratives which take place in heteronormative environments.