stevie leigh

[stevie leigh @stevaleigh]

I’m proud to announce that the full text of my project is now available at the link in my bio (and my findings begin on page 24)!

I’d like to dedicate this publication to the 22 participants who made this project possible, and to the fandom community who inspired this research.

[stevie leigh @stevaleigh]

@thebabyperks Thanks so much for sharing!

[Harry Styles Research Network @styles_network]

New Harry research 🌈

[stevie leigh @stevaleigh]

#onedirection #harrystyles #harries

[stevie leigh @stevaleigh]

I’m proud to announce that the full text of my project is now available at the link in my bio (and my findings begin on page 24)!

I’d like to dedicate this publication to the 22 participants who made this project possible, and to the fandom community who inspired this research.

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

I’m proud to announce that the full text of my project is now available at the link in my bio (and my findings begin on page 24)!

I’d like to dedicate this publication to the 22 participants who made this project possible, and to the fandom community who inspired this research.

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

These fans described how their sexual identity development was in some way facilitated by their fan-affiliation—often by exposure to and celebration of queer themes. #OneDirection #harrystyles #harries #larries

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

On the other hand, fans report that Styles’ fluid gender expression and ambiguous sexuality inspired them to question their own gender and sexual identities, and that the fandom’s accepting atmosphere provided a safe space to explore queer desire. These fans described…

(cont.)

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

Many fans recognized themselves as queer prior to joining the fandom and believe identification with Styles and participation in queer fan practices strengthened their understanding and acceptance of their identity.

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

On the one hand, fans report being drawn to Styles’ unapologetic celebration of queerness & to fan practices centered on queer desire, such as shipping Larry Stylinson, which may have appealed to their queer sensibilities & attractions. Many fans recognized themselves…

(cont.)

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

Is there something about the artist(s) that appeals to queer audiences? Or is there something about the fandom that facilitates queer sexual identity development? Scroll to the next posts to see my participants’ thoughts on this phenomenon! #onedirection #harrystyles

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

1D/Styles scholars all acknowledge an identity-formative relationship between the artists & fans but it remains contested which direction influence flows.

Even fans struggle to identify which is the chicken & which is the egg in what they call the “One Direction-to-Gay pipeline”

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

This project was guided by the above research question. My goal was to reveal the gender and sexual diversity of boy band fandom & contribute to the destigmatization of non-normative, or “queer,” coming of age experiences. Additionally, this project works to challenge…

(cont.)

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

Queerbaiting accusations against Styles are something my participants (and myself) take very seriously. Understandably, this can be a tricky topic for queer fans—and so their opinions vary.

With the release of Styles’ most recent film…

(cont.)

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

One of the most rewarding parts of this project was being able to compensate my interview participants in a way that also supports fan-owned small businesses. Each participants received a $30 voucher to one of the following fan mechanize shops.

(cont.)

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

I’d like to give a huge thank you to fan-artist, Krystina Riley, who designed the recruitment artwork for this study.💖 Instagram: @ oh_krystina

This commission was funded by the Taft Research Center at the University of Cincinnati.

#onedirection #harrystyles #harries

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

Swipe for details about the demographic makeup of my sample ➡️➡️➡️

When recruiting participants for this study, I worked to obtain a stratified purposeful sample of maximum variation.

(cont.)

[an intersciplinary study by Stevie Leigh @1Didentityproj]

This project is based on qualitative data derived from interviews with 22 research participants—all who identified as current fans of Harry Styles and current and/or former fans of One Direction.

(cont.)

[& rue (they/them) @twobiblenames]

Harry Styles is David Bowie for people who were a pleasure to have in class.

[stevie leigh @stevaleigh]

Today I had the opportunity to lead a workshop based on my research at #MBLGTACC30 ! I presented as part of the “Designing a Queer Future through Media” Track which recognizes media as a tool for gender justice and sexual liberation 🏳️‍🌈 #onedirection #HarryStyles @mblgtacc

[stevie leigh @stevaleigh]

@BurntCitrus I finally caved and added one to my office last month—totally worth it!