Sexism in the Gay Community

Callie Ferrell

The Myth of Gay Feminism

Yolo Akili: wrote an article on gay mens
sexism and privilege
Social concept that gay men are experts on
fashion and, thus, womens bodies
Assumption that inappropriate
touching/assault/critique of appearance is
null and void because of gay identity
Relatable experiences
http://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/gay-menssexism-and-womens-bodies/

The Myth of Gay Feminism

Cont.

The heterosexual women did not speak up;

fear of being perceived as homophobic
Gay men were asked:
How will you fix this? Within the family?
Within the organizations and community?

Opposite in that lesbians are perceived as

man haters and in fact most are not
Check out the video!
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2013/gay-men-canbe-sexist-and-here-is-how-they-do-it/

Conclusion
There are a myriad of ways to disrespect
women that dont involve ploys to get them
in to bed
Quote from anonymous blogger, read by John
Stoltenberg during a university symposium

Where Should the Queer Women

Hang Out? (Or not so out)

White Male Dominance of the Gay

Communities
White gay men started and built the gay
communities (people who owned/ran
businesses who knew people who knew
people etc.)
Racial/ethnic minorities could not afford the
real estate, or possibly prioritized identities

White Male Dominance of the Gay

Communities Cont.
White gay men own the clubs and venues: Many
lesbian spaces have closed
Town: Lesbian Floor is on the top

Straight women come to gay clubs w/ GBF and

some lesbians feel lead on/frustrated
Check Out: Charles I. Nero: Why are the Gay Ghettos
White?
Though this article has many faults, it has a few useful
points for discussion on the matter

What About Gender NonConforming Individuals?

Who has even heard of a trans bar or trans
neighborhood?
The constant criticism/confusion of issues of
feminism in the drag queen scene
Is the drag scene a good environment for transwomen? Or a mockery of both trans-women and
women in general (the ongoing debate)

What About Gender NonConforming Individuals? Cont.

How do gay men feel about transgender, gender
queer, and/or other gender non-conforming
people?

Too queer, queer in wrong/bad way

Scaring off the straight people
Image of the cis gay male, ugliness of the transman
Transman participating in gay male activity of
feminine gender play gives reason to question
gender identity
http://supermattachine.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/theestrangement-of-trans-gay-men-from-cis-gay-men/

Stigmas of Bisexual and Pansexual

Women
What is the difference between the two
identities?
Different for everyone, but generally physical
attraction vs. character attraction
(these are not the only sexualities, keep in mind)

Bisexual Women
Sluts, sexually promiscuous, trying to turn straight
men on, in a phase, confused, greedy, transphobic

Pansexual Women
Bisexual (with same assumptions, minus transphobia),
loves/attracted to everyone, only date trans people

Lesbian Feminism & Conclusion

Lesbian Feminists excluded from the second
feminist movement because they were tainting
the cause
Began in the 1970s as a movement separate from the
second wave
Included in the third wave

So What Can Queer Women and Non-Cisgender

People Do?
Speak up, Raise Awareness
What do you think????