What is it about?
While women's interest in m/m sexually explicit media such as slash fiction has been well researched, there has been some debate as to whether this interest should be seen as positive or exploitative. Does it have any real impact on substantive issues around gay rights and queer identities? Discussions with over 400 women involved in slash fiction suggest that, overall, slash is a medium which can create better allies, encourage cross-identification, and bring about positive personal changes.
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Why is it important?
Very few studies have attempted to engage with women who frequent online slash fic sites to ask them about whether their involvement in these online spaces has affected their attitudes and behaviours. This study looks not only at the ways in which online m/m fandoms can act as a safe space for women to explore their sexualities and gender identities, but whether and how these insights connect to women’s real-world lives. Data presented here shows a strong consensus among participants that involvement with explicit slash communities has had a positive effect on their lives, as well as contributing to beneficial changes in their knowledge, attitudes, and practices with regards to LGBTQ+ issues.
Perspectives
As a slasher myself, it was really important to me to try and understand participants' views on these issues as opposed to just theorizing remotely from my ivory tower! I think women's interest in m/m SEM has real potential to help bring sexuality out into the public sphere and that online slash fic spaces can function as heterotopias - bringing about real world change.
Lucy Neville
University of Leicester
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: ‘The Tent’s Big Enough for Everyone’: online slash fiction as a site for activism and change, Gender Place & Culture, February 2018, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/0966369x.2017.1420633.
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