Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The study presents a discourse analysis of the construction of gay masculinities on the television programs "Will & Grace," "It’s all relative," and "Queer eye for the straight guy," from the 2003-2004 season. The analysis is informed by notions of queer theory, hegemonic masculinity, and issues of race and class. The focus of the study is to understand whether the explosion of gay male characters and the perceived advancement in their representation challenge heteronormative notions of masculinity and hegemonic models of social relations. Examples from each program are offered and discussed.