Anthropological Study of Gay Culture?

Y

Yogz

New member
Hi there, I'm an anthropology student and I got a question:
I got a project due in 2 weeks time, and the project is to create an ethnography (a compilation of information regarding a culture) about any cultures; and my interest lies in homosexuality as I am doing this in San Francisco, which have Castro (a.k.a, Rainbow City?), and tomorrow, they even have a festival which I am planning to go to gather information.
BUT....
How do we approach a gay couple and try to ask them to reveal their so-called "culture" or perhaps any other unique facts that I could know. I'm scared that any questions that have in it imbedded the word "gay" or "homosexual" or "different" will upset them, or even, offended them. Is there any way I can do this peacefully as this is for a project, I am not at all, being sexist or anything....

Thank you.
 
just be blunt, go up to them and say, hi im a college student doing a report on the gay community& culture and id like to know some of your views/habbits or whatever you need to know, believe it or not we LOVE IT when some one who isnt gay shows positive interest in us, we love the good publicity and attention that brings, and im sure there will be several reporters running around already. im sure they would love to talk to you about stuff, best thing to do in my opnion is if you have a camera with alottttttttt of space for recording take that and record your conversations with them.

show politeness smile and friendlyness and you should be fine!, now there are also some of us that are just plane hetero/ opposite sex haters etc. you can usually tell who these are if you smile at then and they glare back at you from a distance so its best to avoid them
 
If you're at a gay pride festival, I don't think the people will be offended by talking about gay issues. I suggest keeping your questions short and open-ended. Your project sounds really interesting and I think as long as you are respectful, you will find some people willing to talk to you.
 
Okay, I LOVE anthropology. More so with the social athropology than any other. But you left it open on your question as to what type you are working on for your project. As a bisexual I am open about talking about a culture and my own personal feelings. But everyone who commented gave a great insight for you to start from.

If you are going to the festival to gather information as long as you are friendly, upfront and honest usually anyone who is a good mood (gay or what have you) will be willing to help. I know that being approached on a subject can be a little odd on the receiving end but go with a business card and as long as you are doing it clinically or a positive spin you should get lots of feed back.

As stated, with the idea of a college study doing a study on homosexuality as a choice, there should be little problems getting more than enough information.

The best way to go is be prepared and know what exactly the area you are looking for information on. Are you focusing on subcultures, living arrangements, arts and crafts, family life, etc.

The more specific you can be the better. People are there to enjoy themselves so you may meet some really good contacts there as well and if you can establish those, you will have some deeper insight into the daily life.

Keep in mind, that you are going to a festival, a gathering and a place to let loss and enjoy. So what you see may be over the top but necessarily the 'norm'. Take the same idea as to going to research on gothic subculture and just going to a death metal concert. There are so many levels out there it is difficult to address them all.

So I hope you enjoy yourself and get all the research you need. It may be best to start with the types of sub-cultures because there are many and vary widely to help you with you overall culture study.
 
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