Muted visions, all-American pride: queer geographies of the Fort Bragg region

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Nathan McMenamin (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
John Stehlin

Abstract: While queer people exist everywhere, including within the confines of militarism, rurality, religiosity, and Southernness, their geographies remain underexplored. Thus, this paper examines the state of queer identity and belonging in rural and suburban spaces in the context of a hegemonic military culture in and around Fort Bragg, North Carolina. More broadly, it sheds light on nontraditional aspects of queer geographies by identifying modes of queer life that exist despite the dearth of factors that are typically associated with queer culture. In so doing, this paper also names larger socio-political forces that dampen the possibilities of certain queer modes of existence as well as the potentials of certain queer futures. Lastly, the meager documentation of queer phenomena in the Fort Bragg region has meant, at least for me, a seemingly infinite number of avenues to pursue that almost always led to yet more questions. Within this context, the experiences relayed to me through 28 semi-structured interviews address identity, community, dating, politics, and space.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2021
Keywords
American South, Geographies of militarism, Queer geographies
Subjects
Sexual minorities $z North Carolina $z Fort Bragg $x Social conditions
Sexual minority community $z North Carolina $z Fort Bragg
Human geography $z North Carolina $z Fort Bragg
Military towns $z North Carolina $z Fort Bragg

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