Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) tourists are considered one of the most profitable and, at the same time, vulnerable and discriminated-against segments of the industry. However, a more detailed understanding of how heteronormativity (the privileged and normalized view of heterosexuality) constrains their travels is missing. As a result, this study takes a Queer Perspective, investigating the role of heteronormativity in LGBT tourists’ perceived travel constraints. Through 16 interviews with LGBT travelers, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural heteronormativity are identified as constraining factors, and relevant subthemes are discussed. Finally, this study makes a step toward denaturalizing heterosexuality in a tourism context by giving a voice to an often-overlooked and scarcely understood tourism segment.
Highlights
Studies have suggested that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals whose sexual identity can be identified face higher victimization levels and, constraints than other groups of travelers (Brunt and Brophy 2006)
Our findings show that heteronormativity, much like traditional constraints, is encountered hierarchically; on an intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural level
Our findings show that heteronormativity is encountered first on an intrapersonal level, which refers to psychological states and attributes that interact with leisure preferences (Crawford, Jackson, and Godbey 1991)
Summary
Studies have suggested that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals whose sexual identity can be identified face higher victimization levels and, constraints than other groups of travelers (Brunt and Brophy 2006). These are believed to limit and/or prevent them from partaking in travel activities (Weeden, Lester, and Jarvis 2016). Verbal harassment and the disclosure of LGBT status without permission are pervasive (Government Equalities Office 2019; Hughes 2002) In the Caribbean and Malaysia, where gay men reported attacks and incidents, they were met with indifference or further victimization (Amnesty International 2001)
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