Negotiating the Space of a Predominately Gay Fitness Facility

While researchers have explored the experiences of gay and lesbian sport participants competing and participating in alternative sport structures, no research has examined gay men, lesbians, bisexual (GLB) and heterosexual individuals’ experiences sharing an alternative space. The purpose of this st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Women in sport & physical activity journal 2006-03, Vol.15 (1), p.14-27
Main Authors: Roper, Emily A, Polasek, Katherine M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Bisexuality
Demographic aspects
Gays
Gays & lesbians
Health clubs
Interpersonal relations
Physical fitness
Qualitative research
Social aspects
Spatial behavior
Sports facilities
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Summary:While researchers have explored the experiences of gay and lesbian sport participants competing and participating in alternative sport structures, no research has examined gay men, lesbians, bisexual (GLB) and heterosexual individuals’ experiences sharing an alternative space. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences and perceptions of being a member of, and participating in a “predominately gay” fitness facility Interviews with 13 members and one member of management suggested that while the predominately gay fitness facility was a site in which working out was a primary focus for all of the participants, the space was used as a way to connect with the gay community (among the GLB participants) and become invisible for the women (heterosexual, lesbian, and bisexual). The results also suggested that the heterosexual participants, while “comfortable” working out in a predominately gay fitness setting, described a temporary occupation of the space.
ISSN:1063-6161
1938-1581
DOI:10.1123/wspaj.15.1.14