Abstract
ABSTRACT In this study our goal was to examine the masculinity associated to heteronormativity in a gay app from the users’ point of view, which was made through an inductive study based on semistructured interviews with app users. Main results suggest that Grindr is used as a contemporary form of sociability, mainly because it provides comfort and distance from segregated spaces. At the same time, it allows discretion in sexual encounters, which only happen between “equals”: white, young, athletic, handsome, and not effeminate men, and all those who differ from this profile are repelled. Heteronormativity imposes a pattern of masculinity that has overwhelmed everyone indiscriminately. Those who do not fit this profile can only be resigned to a secondary role at virtual community. Thus, technologies like this can aggravate marginalization of those already on the society fringes if forms of sociability continue to reproduce the oppression of prevailing heteronormativity.
Highlights
For a great part of the world population, the exponential growth of social media is quite noticeable, even for many researchers (Gudelunas, 2012)
From a series of possible paths to explore, in this study we deal with masculinity, as associated to heteronormativity on a app highly used in the gay community based on the discourses of the users
We highlight on this study the masculinity and heteronormativity displayed on the users chats and how these phenomena regulate their way of interaction, socialization, communication and noticing each other. (Licoppe et al, 2015)
Summary
For a great part of the world population, the exponential growth of social media is quite noticeable, even for many researchers (Gudelunas, 2012). This “privatizing” is noticed in the studies of Miller (2015), who identified seven attractive characteristics of the Grindr to its users: safety, control, facility, accessibility, mobility, connectivity and versatility that make it possible to its users to explore their sexuality without the “exposure risk” and reinforce liberal hegemonic values (Valenzuela, 2016). Among these values, we highlight on this study the masculinity and heteronormativity displayed on the users chats and how these phenomena regulate their way of interaction, socialization, communication and noticing each other. We highlight on this study the masculinity and heteronormativity displayed on the users chats and how these phenomena regulate their way of interaction, socialization, communication and noticing each other. (Licoppe et al, 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
