Girlfags and guydykes: “Too queer for straights and too straight for queers”

Abstract

The aim of the article is to highlight the experiences of those who call themselves “girlfags” and “guydykes” and to interpret the identity labels associated with these terms. Online, the communities that refer to themselves by these terms all define the labels and what they signify in terms of identity differently. These include descriptions of people who consider themselves gay but “in the wrong body”, for example, when a woman is sexually oriented toward gay men or when a man is sexually oriented toward lesbian women, most often with a gender or queer element to the definitions. Little to no previous research can be found on these identities, and what is known is mainly found on internet blogs and forums. The participants were sought through a Facebook forum, resulting in a total of 11 interviews with two guydykes and nine girlfags. The results were analyzed within the framework of social constructionism and applied with Butler’s (1990) concept of the heterosexual matrix and van Anders’ (2015) Sexual Configurations Theory (SCT), involving concepts of gender/sex sexuality, nurturance, and eroticism. The results show that those who identify as girlfags and guydykes are proud of their identity, but the complexity of the identity nevertheless affects many aspects of their lives. The respondents reveal how the labels involve one’s sense of self and gender identity. In addition, they touch upon transgender issues, sexual identity, sexual orientation, and other relational aspects. These identities break gender norms, sexual practices, and even sexual orientations within the LGBT context. The results indicate the need for further research on transgender issues; in particular, the relational and social aspects of the girlfag and guydyke identities.