MORE FATS, MORE FEMMES, AND NO WHITES: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF FATPHOBIA, FEMMEPHOBIA AND RACISM ON GRINDR by Matthew Conte, B.A. (Hons) A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts In Women’s and Gender Studies Pauline Jewett Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario © 2017, Matthew Conte Abstract This is a research project about the pervasive intersections of fatphobia, femmephobia and racism that exists within queer communities. Specifically, I examine the now-popularized expression: “No fats, no femmes, no Asians or Blacks”. I argue that this phrase is perpetuating homonormative ideologies that are furthering a marginalization of fat, femme and/or racialized queer identities and bodies within queer communities. This project aims to deconstruct what I call the “corporate queer man”—that is, the white, masculine and muscular queer man who is often represented as being the “right” kind of queer. This research project employs a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of Grindr, the first and largest online queer social networking application targeted specifically towards queer men. The research surrounding the politics of personal advertisements on online queer social networking applications is limited and therefore, this project contributes to the paucity of literature that is aiming to fill this gap. i Acknowledgements Writing a thesis is very much a collective effort. Without the support of professors, academic collogues, family and friends, this research project would not have been possible. First, I would to thank my mom and dad. While we often do not share the same love for academic pursuits, I can firmly say that without your countless support, guidance, and love, I would not have completed this thesis. You have both worked so hard to make sure that I have as many opportunities as possible and for that, I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart. I love you both so much. To my brother, Marco, thank you for your encouraging words, love, and interest in my school work, even when you are not all that interested. It means the world to me to know I always have your support. Melissa, my roommate, best friend, and sister, I am so thankful for you. I am confident that I would not be the person I am today without your advice, sympathetic ear, encouraging words and love. Thank you for all you have taught me about not only academia and feminisms but also, about life. Thank you for always listening to me when I need to complain about the boys in Ottawa and for always reminding me about the importance of putting school aside when I need too. I am going to miss our Sunday nights of ordering Domino’s pizza and re-watching the same episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race for the 100th time. I love you endlessly. Thank you to my grandparents, Ines and Salvatore Pupo, for all of the care, love and support you have given to me not only throughout my Master’s degree, but for the entirety of my life. Grace Adeniyi Ogunyankin, thank you for being the greatest supervisor in the whole world. I can confidently say that I would not be the academic I am today without you. I have learned so much about writing, critical thinking, reading and teaching through our countless exchanges. Your enthusiasm, encouraging words and thoughtful editing made this research ii project what it is. Thank you for seeing something in me that I often struggle to see in myself. I would like to thank my second reader, Megan Rivers-Moore, whose suggestions and edits have proven to be invaluable. Thank you for graciously taking the time to offer insightful advice throughout the duration of this project. I would like to thank my internal examiner, Lara Karaian, for offering many important and productive critiques during my defence. I look forward to expanding this research project with your critiques in mind. Thank you to Debra Graham, Amrita Hari and Karen March for your countless support and guidance during my Master’s degree. Moreover, no university department runs without the extensive support provided by its administrative staff. Thank you very much to Claire Ryan, Ann Morneau and Lana Keon. Céline Donelle, thank you for being the greatest friend ever. Your love, advice and support has meant so much to me over the last two years and you have made this Master’s experience so wonderful. I am going to miss the first Saturday of every month when we would forget about being graduate students for a night and lip sync for our lives at Beyoncé night. I love you to the moon and back. I would like to extend heart-felt thanks to my friends and family who have offered endless support, attention, and above all, laughter during times of stress: Mike Pupo, Eric Pupo, Nicole-Marie Conte-Senra, Kevin Senra, Caterina Senra, Anthony Senra, Sebastian Senra, Zia Jane and Zio Joe Pupo, Zia Gina and Zio Mario Conte, Alex Truax, Natasha Zarei, Anartia DaSilva, Eric Filice, Megan Montgomery, Nicole McGhee, Alyssa Rocco, Da Family (Sarah Rodimon, Scott Lewin, Phil, and Cat-Cat), R.J. Pate, Mars Ramlogs, Adella Rose Khan, Malika Rogosin, Chloe Barker, and Giselle Castelo. I would also like to the thank the numerous students I had the pleasure to TA over the last two years in the Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies course at Carleton University. The knowledges I have acquired from these students have helped to push my thinking in new and complex directions and it was iii truly a pleasure to engage in debates and discussions on topics that are so near-and-dear to my heart. Last, I want to thank my grandparents Domenico and Nicolina Conte. Losing you both was the greatest challenge I had to face throughout my Master’s degree. The opportunities I have been granted today are the product of not only your hard work but also, your willingness to always put your family first. While you are no longer with me, you both live on in my heart. I love and miss you both so much. iv Dedication This thesis is dedicated to all the queers who have had to learn to play by a different set of rules on Grindr. v Table of Contents Preface .............................................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER ONE: Introduction ....................................................................................................6 The Beginnings: Becoming a Fat and Femme Queer Man ..........................................................6 Introducing Fat, Femme and/or Racialized Queers ....................................................................10 The “Spark”: Downloading Grindr™ ........................................................................................12 Boundaries of the Research Project ...........................................................................................15 Methodological Framework and Data Analysis Strategies .......................................................16 Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) ........................................................................................16 Situating the Feminist and Queer in Methodologies ..............................................................18 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................21 Chapter Outlines .....................................................................................................................24 CHAPTER TWO: Situating the Fat, Femme, and/or Racialized Queer in a Multitheoretical Framework ...................................................................................................................................27 Introduction ................................................................................................................................27 Navigating the Unnavigable: Constructing a Sense of Place and Identity in Grindr’s Space....29 Welcome to the Online Corporate Grindr Nation: Situating the “Queer Unwanted” on Grindr ....................................................................................................................................................33 Othered until you are Desired and Desired until you are Othered .............................................37 Locating Resistance on Grindr ...................................................................................................43 De/Centring Whiteness, Masculinity and Muscularity .............................................................46 CHAPTER THREE: Constructing Space and Producing Queer Identities on Grindr ........48 Introduction ................................................................................................................................48 Constructing Space and Producing Queer Identities Phase One: Downloading the Application ....................................................................................................................................................52 Constructing Space and Producing Queer Identities Phase Two: Creating a User Profile ........57 Constructing Space and Producing Queer Identities Phase Three: Entering Grindr and Facing the “Online Corporate Grindr Nation” .......................................................................................60 Interrogating the Nation: Whiteness as Normativity ..................................................................62 Interrogating the Nation: Masculinity ........................................................................................64