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Article In: Journal of Language and Sexuality: Online-First Articles

Baby, we were born this way

A critical discourse analysis of U.S. gay men’s discussions of diva-worship and feminism

ORCiD logo with link | Bentley University, USA
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Abstract
This study examines how certain U.S. gay men, who identify as fans of female vocalists, engage with the feminist ideologies found in pop diva culture and with the gay male stereotype of diva-worship. Previous studies investigated how the discourses of female empowerment are formulated in divas’ song lyrics. However, little empirical literature on gay men’s perceptions toward divas’ lyrics and personae has been explored. To bridge this gap, my research utilizes the tools of critical discourse analysis in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Interviews were recorded from 21 gay male participants who were categorized into three age groups — 25–34, 35–45, and 45+. The data were then transcribed and uploaded to the software MAXQDA for coding. Using a combination of discourse analysis approaches, gay male subjectivity, and post-feminism, data were compared to formulate conceptual themes. The findings suggest that certain gay men deploy the discourse of diva-worshipping to move beyond a generalized fandom conversation to engage with the discussions of U.S. gender politics. The findings also indicated insightful ways of how these gay men came to their novel understandings of womanhood through the diva-worship practice while also seeking meaningful and self-empowering ways to identify with their divas and what they represent.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Previous research
    • 2.1Gay men and divas
    • 2.2Historical perspective of gay male subjectivity
    • 2.3Parasocial relationship of fans and divas
    • 2.4Post-feminism in U.S. pop culture media
    • 2.5Discourse historical approach (DHA)
    • 2.6Language, identity, and performance in drag queen communities
    • 2.7Language, identity, and media in the gay male community
    • 2.8Camp
    • 2.9Research questions
  • 3.Methodology
    • 3.1Design of the study
    • 3.2Participants
    • 3.3Data collection techniques and analyses
  • 4.Findings
    • Theme 1: Perception of Divas’ Personae/Lyrics
    • Subtheme 1: Relatability of divas’ personae to life experience
      • Nomination strategy
      • Perspectivization strategy
    • Subtheme 2: Relatability of divas’ lyrics to life experience
      • Perspectivization strategy
      • Predication strategy
      • Theme 2: Perception of divas-worshipping
    • Subtheme 1: Advantages and Disadvantages of diva-worshipping
      • Predication strategy
      • Nomination strategy
      • Intensification strategy
    • Subtheme 2: Self-identification of diva-worshipping
      • Nomination strategy
      • Predication strategy
  • 5.Discussion and conclusion
  • Author queries
  • References
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