New Hegemonic Masculinity and LGBTI Movement in Turkey

In this study I aim to discuss how the ways of manliness, which I claim gaining a new perspective within the context of current day socio-economic transformations, built a new kind of “hegemonic masculinity” image and the relationship this image established with the LGBTI movement in Turkey. In essence “hegemonic masculinity” conceptualization, which was first defined by R. W. Connell and later started to be re- analyzed following its critique, expressed as the masculinity image created by a number of competent male minority. This masculinity image was based on urban, white, heterosexual, active, powerful, religious to a certain degree, and successful in business male. In line with global scale trends, the “new” “hegemonic masculinity”, for the most part built by the political elite, is gaining more and more a conservative outlook in Turkey. In this study I will attempt to discuss how this “hegemonic masculinity” image of Turkey went into circulation in the society and with the political substance it acquired through the feelings of hate and fury, how it interacts with different masculinities, over the LGBTI movement. Empirically, I will analyze statements made against Pride parades and marches in recent years. With this discussion, I intend to present a contribution to the analyses of socio-economic reflections of “hegemonic masculinity” as a political structure both in global and in local context, feelings it evoked among actors in the society and the relationship of those as a whole with the LGBTI movement.