Limiting Brotherhood: Gay Men and Fraternity Culture

• In Event: 2323 - Student Forum Refereed Roundtable
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: 3. Identity, Institutions and Personhood in the Study of Sexuality and Gender

Abstract

Gay men experience a different level of brotherhood in a social fraternity than their straight counterparts. This paper will answer: In what ways do the experiences of two Gay men in a social fraternity display aspects of inequality? Theories behind this question have been researched by sociologists, psychologists, and anthropologists, yet few have taken the time to really create an intimate experience with theory and testimony from the men being studied. In the exploration of this broader question, the paper breaks down some of the the subtle and explicit ways greek life made two gay men feel like outsiders within their community and how the institution maintains fraternities as a heteronormative space. This paper pulls from an epistemology of queer theory, and previous research of masculinity, sexuality, homophobia, as well as power to show the theory behind testimony. Interviews and a brief survey present important data on the specific colleges situation surrounding gay fraternity men. Future studies can and should take this intimate approach, especially in the exploration of the connected subject of college hazing.

Author

• Ryan DeCarsky, UC SANTA BARBARA