'Doing' and 'using' sexual orientation: the role of gay male pornographic film in the identity construction of gay men

Abstract

The taken-for-granted dominance of heteronormativity in contemporary society has been well documented and critiqued in several social science studies. Acutely aware of its fragility and vulnerability (Butler 1991), its proponents constantly seek to reinforce its hegemonic influence through ritualised performances associated with ‘doing’, ‘using’ and performing gender and sexual orientation. The article will provide a theoretical contemplation on whether both the proscriptive and negotiable nature of gender roles can be applied to themes associated with gay male identity in South Africa. This will be done by emphasising the manner in which gay men may possibly ‘do’ and ‘use’ their sexual orientation (cf. Dowsett et al. 2008) through viewing pornography produced in predominantly the United States as well as South Africa. It will be argued that this mirroring of ‘doing’ and ‘using’ sexual orientation facilitated through gay male pornography is evident in three interrelated dimensions of the construction of gay men’s gendered and/or sexual self – these being intrapsychic, interpersonal and cultural