Homosexuality and consumption in the city of São Paulo: strategies of young homosexual men living in suburban areas.

• Autor(a) principal: Carvalho-Silva, Hamilton Harley
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Cadernos Cenpec
• Texto Completo: http://cadernos.cenpec.org.br/cadernos/index.php/cadernos/article/view/180
• topic: Diversity; Homosexuality. Young homosexuals. Consumption. Identity.; Diversidade; Homossexualidade. Jovens homossexuais. Consumo. Identidade.

This paper discusses part of a study on young homosexuals in the city of São Paulo - their movements between the suburbs and the city’s upscale districts, when they go out to enjoy themselves and partake in social activities. The goal of this text is to outline a panorama regarding the influence of a certain standard of consumption and economic power over gays residing in the outskirts of the city of São Paulo. It also aims to explain the conveniences and hardships faced by these subjects in the movements they make, as well as their limits and strategies in light of their attempts to feel included in gay circles that adopt these standards of consumption. The investigation, inspired by ethnography, sought to interview and follow the day to day lives of four young people, observing the environments and circles that they frequented. The study concludes that young gay men seek inclusion in circles whose standards of consumption are much more accepted and respected socially. A means of “protection” against homophobia. It also found that poverty and the social background of these young men are obstacles to be overcome or obscured in order for them to be accepted in these circles. This acceptance is limited by the fleeting nature of consumption standards, which are constantly changing, and by the very difficulty of “masking” one’s social background.