Australian Queer Science Fiction Fans

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Science fiction (sf) does more than provide a fleeting moment of entertainment; it has many personal and social functions. In addition to offering audiences “romantic escapism” (Gerrold, 1996, pp. 5–6), sf also enables the “postulation of an alternative reality from which to contemplate this one” (Gerrold, 1996, pp. 5–6); as such, it is especially important “for groups which have had limited stakes in the status quo” (Jenkins, 1995, p. 242). To date, no research has been undertaken on the relationship between Australian queers and sf fandom. This article reports the findings of an online survey and explores the psycho-social features of Australian queer sf fans and why they like the genre. While the characteristics of this sample mirror those of Australian queers generally, they also have slightly higher rates of mental illness and are far more likely to state they have “no religion.” Furthermore, while enjoying the “sciency” (P10, bisexual woman) aspects of sf, Australian queers also like the “poignant metaphors for our own civilization” (P45, asexual man)
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)100-116
    Number of pages17
    JournalJournal of Homosexuality
    Volume66
    Issue number1
    Early online date2017
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019

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