Holidays and homosexual identity

Abstract

The sexuality dimension to tourism studies is under-explored. This paper seeks to contribute to the development of such a dimension by examining the significance of holidays for homosexual men. The evident targeting of holidays specifically at homosexuals reflects the strength of the ‘pink pound’ and such holidays are ostensibly sex-focused. As, however, the construction of sexual identity involves a societal input it is argued that holidays facilitate the construction of a homosexual identity. Much of the search for a homosexual identity necessarily involves travel and is analogous to tourism (travel to the ‘resort’ of the homosexual world) even though not involving holiday-taking. In addition, however, the taking of holidays by homosexuals serves a role in constructing identity; social censure of homosexuality makes the holiday a particularly necessary and significant agent for identity-construction.