Gender and Sexuality Studies

Abstract

Queer men’s conceptualizations of their queer identities continue to shift and expand: They cannot be captured by a singular definition. Similarly, queer men’s expressions of masculinities are equally as complex, as they depend on how they compete and interact with other masculinities, including heterosexual, cisgender (het/cis) masculinities. Specifically, I am interested in “queer palatability,” described by the multiple ways that queer men modify their behaviours to appear more palatable and acceptable to the het/cis men they interact with. In 2023, I conducted a study that examined how queer men negotiate their identities through the expression of queer masculinities during interactions with het/cis men. From six semi-structured interviews with queer men living in Alberta, Canada, I aimed to understand the behavioural implications of their interactions with het/cis men. A notable conclusion emerging from this study indicated that queer men would change their behaviours in ways that appealed to the expectations of queerness by het/cis men. Particularly, palatable and acceptable expectations of queerness was created and sustained by het/cis men, which queer men felt pressure to adhere to. However, these universal ideas were not indicative of the expansiveness of queer experiences. During this oral presentation, I unpack the idea of queer palatability, explaining the complexities and tensions of how queer identities operate in diverse spaces. Ultimately, This study emphasizes the impacts that behaviours, interactions, and culture have on queer men’s masculinities and identities that constantly shift, transform, and compete with other masculinities and identities.

Biography

Cameron Carley (they) is a Japanese European settler living on Turtle Island, also known as Canada. They have completed their Master of Arts in Educational Research specializing in Curriculum and Learning from the University of Calgary. They are currently pursuing their PhD in Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies at Western University. As a new PhD student, they are continuing to learn from colleagues and peers, eagerly seeking out conference and publication opportunities. They have attended multiple national and international conferences and continue to publish articles and book chapters with the labs they are a part of.