Keywords
Alt-Right
Masculinity
Online
Social Media
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
With the rise of the alt-right, especially in virtual spaces, seemingly contradictory identities have become visible. For instance, many gay men appeal to the alt-right despite the homophobic traditions of the movement. This paper conducts a virtual ethnographic review of several spaces frequented by the alt-right, such as Reddit and 4chan. Based on an analysis of relevant digital content, I suggest that the alt-right has begun to shift its definition of masculinity towards a particular focus on homosocial bonding and hypermasculinity. Gay men who feel alienated from queer communities that don’t emphasize alt-right masculinity engage in these new aspects of the alt-right in an attempt to join. By utilizing homosocial bonding and hypermasculinity, they reconcile their homosexuality and their masculinity, demonstrating the latter in the interest of alt-right acceptance. Doing so indicates that the alt-right has begun to endorse the view that masculinity is demonstrated rather than innate.
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