Swear words among homosexuals: transgression of heteronormativity or replication of gender values?

Authors

  • Felipe de Baére Universidade de Brasília (UnB).
  • Valeska Zanello Universidade de Brasília (UnB)
  • Ana Carolina Romero Centro Universitário do Distrito Federal (UDF).

Abstract

Swearing words are powerful weapons of social control. In the act of swearing, gender values are not only represented but perpetuated. Based on previous research showing that there are binary and sexist values in swear
words, the present study aimed to survey and compare the swear words considered as worst by self-declared homosexual groups in order to verify if the same kind of gender values are present or if they are subverted. A total
of 303 questionnaires were applied, divided in 150 men (75 homosexuals and 75 heterosexuals) and 153 women (74 homosexuals and 79 heterosexuals). The answers underwent semantic and pragmatic analysis and were subsequently
classified in analytical categories. After this stage, a quantitative and qualitative comparison between groups was conducted. It was observed that the worst swear words elected by homosexual categories were similar to those elected by the heterosexuals, pointing to the replication of heteronormative values in the choice of insults.

Keywords:

Sexism. Social discrimination. Homosexuality.
Vol. 23 No. 3 (2015): Rev. bioét. (Impr.). 2015; 23 (3)

Published:

2015-11-26

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How to Cite

1.
Baére F de, Zanello V, Romero AC. Swear words among homosexuals: transgression of heteronormativity or replication of gender values?. Rev. bioét.(Impr.). [Internet]. 2015 Nov. 26 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];23(3). Available from: http://revistabioetica.cfm.org.br/revista_bioetica/article/view/1106