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Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans appearance and embodiment: A critical review of the psychological literature

Clarke, Victoria; Hayfield, Nikki; Huxley, Caroline

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Authors

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Dr Victoria Clarke Victoria.Clarke@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Qualitative & Critical Psychology

Caroline Huxley



Abstract

This paper provides a review of the psychological literature on LGBT appearance and embodiment. Research on ‘outsider’ perceptions of LGBT appearance and embodiment has focused on the links between perceptions of physical attractiveness and homosexuality, and physical attractiveness and transsexuality, and on the detection of homosexuality from visual cues. ‘Insider’ research has examined LGBT people’s body image, and appearance and adornment practices in non-heterosexual communities. We identify three major limitations of LGBT appearance research: (i) the reliance on a gender inversion model of homosexuality; (ii) the marginalisation of bisexual appearance and embodiment; and (iii) the focus on trans as a diagnostic category and the resulting exclusion of the subjectivities and lived experiences of trans people.

Citation

Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., & Huxley, C. (2012). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans appearance and embodiment: A critical review of the psychological literature. Psychology of Sexualities Section Review, 3(1), 51-70

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 1, 2012
Deposit Date Dec 10, 2012
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Psychology of Sexualites Review
Print ISSN 2047-1467
Publisher British Psychological Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 3
Issue 1
Pages 51-70
Keywords adornment, body image, clothing, gaydar, gender inversion, homophobia, lesbian, bisexual, psychology, literature
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/946712
Publisher URL http://www.bpsshop.org.uk/Psychology-of-Sexualities-Review-Vol-3-No-1-Autumn-2012-P2592.aspx

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