Sexual citizenship: rhetoric or reality for Rural Gay Men in Ireland and England?

Journal article


McKearney, A. (2021). Sexual citizenship: rhetoric or reality for Rural Gay Men in Ireland and England? Citizenship Studies. 25 (5), pp. 678-693. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2021.1952930
AuthorsMcKearney, A.
Abstract

This paper assesses the experiences of gay men living and working in rural areas of Ireland and England. Fieldwork conducted in both countries, finds that gay men who live in the rural space share many similar experiences, concerns and worries. While life outside the cities can bring a number of distinct advantages, such as tranquillity, and a more relaxed pact of life, the men also report numerous challenges which include social isolation, powerful hegemonic narratives around rural masculinity, and a pervasive heteronormative culture. The rural context shapes how the men negotiate their sexual identity, and mediates the nature of their sexual citizenship. In assessing the men as sexual citizens, the paper highlights the tendencies of sexual citizenship to promote a de-sexualised, de-politicised, and de-radicalised gay identity; tendencies which are exacerbated by the context of the nonmetropolitan, small town, and rural spaces. The paper concludes that, while the men may be considered, constitutional sexual citizens, with legal citizenship rights, there remains a legacy of stigmatization, which leads to compromised citizenship on a number of levels.

KeywordsPolitical Science and International Relations; Geography, Planning and Development
Year2021
JournalCitizenship Studies
Journal citation25 (5), pp. 678-693
PublisherInforma UK Limited
ISSN1362-1025
1469-3593
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2021.1952930
Publication dates
Online12 Jul 2021
Print04 Jul 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted05 Jul 2021
Deposited03 Aug 2021
Publisher's version
License
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Controlled
Additional information

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Citizenship Studies on 12/07/2021, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13621025.2021.1952930

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https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/8x607

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