Queer dancers’ experiences in the dancesport world

Exclusion, Invisibilisation and Assimilation

Bibliographic Data

ID6058883
AuthorsValentin Meneau (0000-0002-9133-8087, University of Salzburg, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume43
Issue9
Pages55-70
Publication date2024-12-16
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEqual Opportunities International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1758-7093 • E-ISSN: 2040-7149
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/edi-11-2023-0376
OpenAlexW4396675774
LanguageEN
References cited10

Purpose This paper intervenes in the consequences of a myth propagated in academic discourse about the dancesport world, according to which half of the men in Latin dancesport are gay. I challenge two assumptions that surround this myth: that cisgender gay men do not contribute to the reification of the heteronormative gender binary, and that the dancesport scene is inclusive of gay people. These assumptions are based on a blatant lack of understanding of the position of gay men within the dancesport world – that is, the ways in which subjects are constituted through the effects of power. Design/methodology/approach This work is based on empirical research I conducted in the dancesport community, including ethnographic and autoethnographic fieldwork, extant documents (e.g. books, blogs, Judging Regulations) and interviews with experts and participants of the dancesport scene (2021/2022). To analyse the data, I relied on the principles of dispositive analysis, grounded theory and dance analysis. Findings I show that gay dancers have turned to assimilation as their only available strategy. I discuss the negative consequences of assimilation as a political strategy and how it impacted queer dancers – between invisibilisation, residual shame and a failure to challenge the heteronormative gender binary. This led gay dancers to rationalise and perpetrate harm based on the systems of oppression they had internalised. Social implications I conclude the paper by highlighting a way beyond assimilation for queer dancers. Originality/value This paper addresses a critical gap in research on LGBT + inclusion in dancesport

Dance · Oppression · Political science · Politics · Queer · Queer theory · Sociology · Transgender · Diversity and Impact of Dance · Gender Studies · Law · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sports, Gender, and Society

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