Author(s): Casey ME
Abstract: In this paper I focus on research concerned with the commercial gay and lesbian scene of Newcastle upon Tyne, the ‘Pink Triangle’, demonstrating the effect of sexual identity and gender identity in the limiting of claims by lesbians to spatial inclusion in venues located in the city’s ‘gay scene’. The study suggests that the inclusion of heterosexual women into gay and lesbian identified venues and spaces, often through their relationship with gay men, is affecting issues of safety, comfort and inclusion/exclusion for lesbians. Gay and lesbian identified venues are increasingly focused on the consumption of leisure experiences, where claiming a lesbian or gay identity is no longer sufficient in accessing such sites, where access to capital and the adoption of ‘mixed’ venue policies is opening (once marginalized) gay and lesbian identified spaces to the female heterosexual consumer. Finally, the paper will consider what consequences such developments may have for contemporary understandings of spatial claims and identities in ‘gay spaces’.
Notes: The paper draws on qualitative research findings from my doctoral thesis; 'Researching the Experiences of Lesbians and Gay Men of Heterosexual and Queered Spaces in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne'. The paper, published in the highly regarded sociological journal, Sexualities, makes a strong contribution to work on sexualities, identities, the (peripheral) city and inclusion/exclusion.
Keywords: gay and lesbian space(s) heterosexual women inclusion/exclusion sexualities urban space
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Dr Mark Casey
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