ABSTRACT

Gay, bisexual, and queer-identifying (GBQ) male communities tend to comprise various distinct subcultural identity groups based on shared characteristics and associations, often overlooked in research and practice. This study aimed to develop a greater understanding of GBQ subcultural identities by exploring how they are understood and described by individuals who utilise them. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 gay, bisexual, and queer-identifying men living in Australia and who identified with one or more subcultural identities. Interview transcripts and data underwent thematic analysis. All participants identified with two or more subcultural identities. Results indicated that subcultural identities were understood and characterised through physical traits, gender expression and perceived norms, sexual preferences and sex roles, interests and hobbies, and social interaction dynamics. Important functions of subcultural identities were noted, such as their utility in filtering and regulating social associations and interactions as well as reflecting elements of queer history and culture. Findings highlight some key characteristics that define subcultural identities and the functions they serve for GBQ men. This knowledge furthers understanding of GBQ subcultural identities and may assist in developing culturally-relevant approaches to future research and practice in areas such as health promotion and service delivery.

摘要

同性恋、双性恋和酷儿认同 (GBQ) 男性社区往往基于共同的特征和关联，包含各种不同的亚文化身份群体，这在研究和实践中经常被忽视。本研究旨在通过探索使用它们的个人如何理解和描述 GBQ 亚文化身份，从而加深对 GBQ 亚文化身份的理解。对居住在澳大利亚的 15 名同性恋、双性恋和酷儿认同男性进行了半结构化的深度访谈，他们认同一种或多种亚文化身份。采访记录和数据进行了主题分析。所有参与者都认同两种或两种以上的亚文化身份。结果表明，亚文化身份是通过身体特征、性别表达和感知规范来理解和表征的，性偏好和性别角色、兴趣和爱好以及社会互动动态。注意到亚文化身份的重要功能，例如它们在过滤和调节社会关联和互动以及反映酷儿历史和文化元素方面的效用。调查结果突出了定义亚文化身份的一些关键特征以及它们为 GBQ 男性服务的功能。这些知识加深了对 GBQ 亚文化身份的理解，并可能有助于为未来在健康促进和服务提供等领域的研究和实践开发与文化相关的方法。例如它们在过滤和调节社会关联和互动以及反映酷儿历史和文化元素方面的效用。调查结果突出了定义亚文化身份的一些关键特征以及它们为 GBQ 男性服务的功能。这些知识加深了对 GBQ 亚文化身份的理解，并可能有助于为未来在健康促进和服务提供等领域的研究和实践开发与文化相关的方法。例如它们在过滤和调节社会关联和互动以及反映酷儿历史和文化元素方面的效用。调查结果突出了定义亚文化身份的一些关键特征以及它们为 GBQ 男性服务的功能。这些知识加深了对 GBQ 亚文化身份的理解，并可能有助于为未来在健康促进和服务提供等领域的研究和实践开发与文化相关的方法。