Michael Messner Becoming 100% Straight

1) “Imbedded in this question is the assumption that people who identify as heterosexual, or “straight,” require no explanation, since they are simply acting out the “natural” or “normal” sexual orientation.”   327


2) What is the methodology of “memory work.”  How is it useful?


3)   Messner discusses a story of how sports helped him to construct his sense of heterosexuality.

What does he mean by:

“fluidity and changeability of sexual desire over the life-course.”   329.

“institution of compulsory heterosexuality.”

“Sublimation of homoerotic desire.”

“Engagement with hegemonic masculinity.”



4) Consider how “heterosexuality is a constructed identity, a performance, and an institution.”   P 330.

5) Lastly, consider the provocative questions on page 331.

“How has heterosexuality, as an institution and as an enforced group practice, constrained and limited all of us — gay, straight, and bi”

“How has the institution of sport been an especially salient institution for the social construction of heterosexual masculinity?”

“Why is that when men play sports they are almost always automatically granted masculine status, and thus assumed to be heterosexual, while when women play sports, questions are raised about their “femininity” and their sexual orientation.