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Finding oneself, losing oneself: the lesbian and gay ‘scene’ as a paradoxical space

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  • Gill Valentine
  • Tracey Skelton

Abstract

In recent years, geographers and urban sociologists have sought to map and understand the emergence and development of lesbian and gay spaces within the city — popularly dubbed ‘the scene’. It is often asserted that the city is a space of sexual liberation and that specifically the ‘scene’ can play an important part in lesbian and gay men's identity formation and development. However, despite the range and richness of the academic literature on the production and emergence of lesbian and gay urban spaces, relatively little attention has been paid to the actual role of the scene in the ‘coming out’ process and the way young lesbians and gay men negotiate transitions to adulthood. This article addresses this neglect by drawing on empirical work with lesbians and gay men in the UK to explore what the scene has meant to them. In the first half of the article we focus on the positive roles that the scene can play in helping young people to find themselves as they make the transition from childhood to adulthood. In the second half of the article we consider the risks that they can encounter in the process. We conclude by reflecting on the scene as a paradoxical space, and on the implications of this research for the youth transitions and urban studies literatures, and for social policy. Dernièrement, des géographes et sociologues urbains ont tenté de cartographier et comprendre l'émergence et le développement des espaces gays et lesbiens dans la ville (lieux communément appelés ‘la scène’). On affirme souvent que la ville est un espace de libération sexuelle et que, notamment, ‘la scène’ peut jouer un rôle important dans la formation et l'évolution de l'identité des hommes et femmes homosexuels. Toutefois, en dépit de l'étendue et de la richesse des références universitaires sur la production et l'apparition d'espaces urbains gays et lesbiens, rares sont ceux qui ont traité la fonction réelle de la scène dans le processus de coming out, et de la façon dont les jeunes homosexuels négocient la transition vers l'âge adulte. L'article s'intéresse à cette lacune à partir de travaux empiriques réalisés avec des homosexuels, hommes et femmes, au Royaume‐Uni et visant à explorer ce que la scène a signifié pour eux. La première partie de l'article se consacre aux rôles positifs que la scène est en mesure de jouer en aidant les jeunes à se trouver au moment de la transition entre enfance et âge adulte. La deuxième partie porte sur les risques qu'ils peuvent rencontrer sur ce parcours. La conclusion amène une réflexion sur la scène en tant qu'espace paradoxal, et sur les implications de cette recherche au niveau de la littérature sur les phases de transition de la jeunesse et les études urbaines, ainsi qu'au niveau de la politique sociale.

Suggested Citation

  • Gill Valentine & Tracey Skelton, 2003. "Finding oneself, losing oneself: the lesbian and gay ‘scene’ as a paradoxical space," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 849-866, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:27:y:2003:i:4:p:849-866
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0309-1317.2003.00487.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Greggor Mattson, 2015. "Style and the value of gay nightlife: Homonormative placemaking in San Francisco," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(16), pages 3144-3159, December.
    2. Elizabeth Dinnie & Kath Browne, 2011. "Creating a Sexual Self in Heteronormative Space: Integrations and Imperatives Amongst Spiritual Seekers at the Findhorn Community," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 16(1), pages 79-88, February.
    3. David K. Seitz, 2015. "The Trouble With Flag Wars: Rethinking Sexuality in Critical Urban Theory," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(2), pages 251-264, March.
    4. Valerie De Craene & Maria Rodó-De-Zárate, 2017. "Affective Inequality and Heteronormative Discomfort," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 108(3), pages 302-317, July.
    5. Ganbaatar, Dorjjantsan & Vaughan, Cathy & Akter, Shahinoor & Myagmarjav, Sugarmaa & Bohren, Meghan A., 2024. "Navigation of self-conflict and role of self-acceptance within LGBTQ+ young people in contemporary Mongolia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    6. Frye, Victoria & Egan, James E. & Tieu, Hong Van & Cerdá, Magdalena & Ompad, Danielle & Koblin, Beryl A., 2014. "“I didn't think I could get out of the fucking park.” Gay men's retrospective accounts of neighborhood space, emerging sexuality and migrations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 6-14.
    7. Nir Cohen & Talia Margalit, 2015. "‘There are Really Two Cities Here’: Fragmented Urban Citizenship In Tel Aviv," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(4), pages 666-686, July.

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