Mapping the terrain of homosexually-themed language

McCormack, M.

doi:10.1080/00918369.2011.563665

Mapping the terrain of homosexually-themed language

McCormack, M.

Authors

M. McCormack

Abstract

In this article, I present a new model for understanding homosexually-themed language. By detailing how old conceptualizations of homophobic language no longer maintain heuristic utility in explaining the social dynamics of many sport and educational settings, I situate other conceptualizations of homosexually-themed language depending on the cultural context. I argue that whether language is considered homophobic, or whether it is better conceptualized as fag discourse, gay discourse or pro-gay language, is primarily dependent on the homohysteria of a setting. This model should enable scholars and educators to understand the operation of homosexually-themed language in society and properly evaluate the homophobia of a setting.

Citation

McCormack, M. (2011). Mapping the terrain of homosexually-themed language. Journal of Homosexuality, 58(5), 664-679. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2011.563665

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2011
Deposit Date	Sep 10, 2012
Publicly Available Date	Jun 27, 2013
Journal	Journal of Homosexuality
Print ISSN	0091-8369
Electronic ISSN	1540-3602
Publisher	Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	58
Issue	5
Pages	664-679
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2011.563665
Keywords	Homosexuality, Language, Discourse, Gay, Fag, Model.

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Copyright Statement
This is an electronic version of an article published in McCormack, M. (2011) 'Mapping the terrain of homosexually-themed language.', Journal of homosexuality., 58 (5). pp. 664-679. Journal of homosexuality is available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=0091-8369&volume=58&issue=5&spage=664