Gender Identity Communication of Beauty Queen Fans: A Case Study of Homosexual Fans towards Miss Universe Thailand Pageant

Abstract

     The purposes of this research were to examine 1) gender identity creation from the beauty queen texts of individual homosexual fans; and 2) gender identity communication towards beauty queen of individual homosexual fans which is divided into gay male and transgender women. Aiming to explain the gender identity communication across the perimeter between the femininity of the beauty queen and the homosexuality of the fans toward Miss Universe Thailand pageant, qualitative research methodology was employed. Participatory observation by which the researcher took part in data derivation, in-depth interviews and documentary research were conducted in this study.

     The results revealed the following issues. 1) Significant variables that influenced sample group entered this fan base were including gender, nationalism and the taste of globalism communicated through the identity of Thai and foreign beauty queens which representing “a woman beyond imagination” (extraordinary woman). The fans’ identity created through the beauty queen texts from both of gays and transgenders implied that their self-created texts represented their manner, body creating, dressing, knowledge, ability and pattern of thought. 2) The self-created texts and representation communicated through intrapersonal communication, Interpersonal communication, small group communication, large group communication, and mass communication through private online social media account. These characteristics were combined gender identities (hybridity) between the original identity of the fans and the beauty queens, which reflects that the beauty pageant is not only spaces for communicating gender identity of beauty women, but also a space to communicate and fight for gender identity of homosexuals and transgender women.