Analysis of the category ‘Gay Identity’: Situated knowledge in Mexico

Abstract

Identity is a dialectic, permanent process between the person and their surrounding contexts. This paper analyses the production of a gay identity within a context of strict gender and sexuality norms that exclude homoeroticism. Because of heteronormativity, any identities outside this system suffer from stigma. We analyse Mexico’s gay movement to understand how ‘gay’ and ‘homosexual’ have become identity categories that help understand where the gay movement in Mexico stands, and its impact on identity development. Through a literary revision and critique, we conclude that gay identity makes the stigma against homoeroticism visible, but moves towards the normalisation of sexual expression. Because of this normalisation, ‘gay identity’ must be a temporary term that should be questioned and deconstructed since it assumes that all people who identify with it are homogenous, and does not recognise sexual fluidity.