A Talk by Dr. Zheng Zhu
This talk investigates the mainstream media’s discursive construction of Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas, with a specific focus on the construction of his masculinity as an out gay celebrity. Existing critical scholarship has discussed media representations of gay figures, but has not examined how unconventional queer representation interacts with normative gender performance. The findings call attention to the emergence of macho gay characterization that supports the hegemony of heterosexual normativity. The stigmatization of gayness as the deviated Other is rationalized through delegitimizing its position in the public sphere, marginalizing non-masculine gay characters, and erasing the larger socio-political conditions that oppress closeted gay athletes.
Faculty, Students, and Staff are invited. Refreshments served.