Mobile Masculinities: An Investigation of Networked Masculinities in Gay Dating Apps

Abstract

This study argues that hegemonic masculinity and inclusive masculinity are conciliatory when applied to networked masculinities in homosexual spaces. It contends hegemonic masculinity is a macro-level process that informs micro-level processes of inclusive masculinity. Employing a textual analysis of 500 individual profiles in gay dating apps (Scruff, GROWLr, GuySpy and Hornet), findings indicate networked masculinities informed by hegemonic masculinity. A process of “mascing” also resulted from the data.

Keywords

• gay dating apps
• mascing
• networked masculinities
• hegemonic masculinity
• inclusive masculinity
• digital spaces