Entre matches, desejos e exclusões: o corpo como território nos espaços de sociabilidade gay

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the perceptions and representations of the bodies of gay and bisexual men, whether cis or trans, in spaces of sociability, considering them as structuring elements of power relations in these contexts. The study seeks to understand how such perceptions are constructed, negotiated, and transformed, influencing processes of belonging and the inclusion of diverse bodies, as well as exclusion, within sociability territories. It starts from the understanding that these dynamics directly impact the formation of identities and social relationships within the LGBTI+ community, particularly as they affect desires and the criteria for bodily valorization. These processes are regulated by social, cultural, and aesthetic standards, including those related to the inclusion of bodily plurality, which guide experiences and interactions in same-sex relationships. The research is situated within the field of the anthropology of the body and emotions, in dialogue with other areas of the Social Sciences, and is guided by the following question: how are bodies perceived, represented, and negotiated in gay sociability spaces, and how do these perceptions influence their experiences and interactions within these spaces? To achieve the study’s objectives, a literature review was first conducted on the social construction of the body and the dynamics of gay sociability. The research was carried out through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with gay and bisexual men, cis or trans, focusing on the interior of Minas Gerais. It also included participant observation on digital networks, such as the Grindr app, analyzing users’ images and descriptions, as well as interlocutors' accounts of gay sociability spaces such as bars, nightclubs, parties, and meetup groups. The collected data were analyzed in relation to the proposed bibliography, revealing that the perceptions and negotiations surrounding gay bodies in sociability spaces are multifaceted, influenced by various factors such as gender norms, beauty standards, and social and cultural hierarchies.