551 - Thematic Session. Sexualities and Popular Culture

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Abstract

Cultural representations of sexualities, as well as the industry structures in which those representations take shape, have undergone rapid and complex change in the early 21st century. Among others, scholars and commentators have pointed to the mainstreaming of gay and lesbian, and to an increasing degree also bisexual and transgender, populations in popular culture; the “pornification” of popular culture; the globalization of sexual cultures through popular culture; the increased importance of online media for the circulation of sexual imagery and identities, as well as for movement organizing around sexualities. This Thematic Session brings together four scholars of popular culture and sexualities to consider these changes and how best to make sense of them. Questions we may consider include: How have popular representations of sexual nonconformity—and of heteronormativity— changed as cultural visibility has increased for LGBT populations, and with what consequences for sexuality politics? How have popular representations of women’s and girls’ sexuality changed, and with what consequences for feminist politics? How have structural changes in the production of popular culture (including the globalization of media industries and the rise of digital media) generated new opportunities and constraints for sexual representation? How have sexuality-based movements adapted their strategies as popular culture marketplaces have fragmented and new media technologies have become useful organizing tools?

Sub Unit

• Thematic Sessions

Session Organizer

• Joshua Gamson, University of San Francisco

Presider

• Joshua Gamson, University of San Francisco

Panelists

• Andreana L. Clay, San Francisco State University

• Dustin Kidd, Temple University

• Suzanna Danuta Walters, Northeastern University

• Aymar Jean Christian, Northwestern University