Intersectional Masculinity in Todrick Hall's Forbidden: Revisiting the Concept of Hegemonic Masculinity

Abstract

In this thesis, I investigate how of gay and black masculinity are represented in Todrick Hall’s visual album Forbidden, and what implication this representation entails for the intersectional understanding of “hegemonic masculinity.” I argue that the theorizations of masculinity often posit white, heterosexual, middle class men as the embodiment of hegemonic masculinity. This group of men is ascribed the positions of power whilst men who are not conforming to the norms of hegemonic masculinity are marginalized to a lower version. This perspective has the risk of fixating the power dynamic with white, heterosexual, middle class men on top of the hierarchy. I show that power dynamics concerning hegemonic men depend on various factors of difference, a certain cultural and social context. Building on this, I propose to intervene in the theory on hegemonic masculinity by applying an intersectional lens. The concept of “intersectionality” offers a more critical approach to systems of power and, therefore, can help in the understanding of how hegemonic power depends on the context of masculinity itself. The research is based on a case study analysis of the visual album Forbidden by Todrick Hall. I look at the relation between hegemonic masculinity and gay, black masculinity in the main protagonist Nolan Renner. By performing a discourse analysis, I argue that gay, black masculinity is positioned as hegemonic masculinity within Forbidden in contrast to academic theory and contemporary conceptions which position straight, white masculinity as the hegemonic version. Furthermore, I show that the inversion of hegemonic masculinity confronts the audience of Forbidden and thereby emphasizes that hegemonic masculinity is fixated to a certain figuration. In concluding the thesis, I reflect on my specific approach of gay and black masculinity and how hegemonic masculinity plays a role in this. Furthermore, I recommend further research possibilities in which other intersections as well as masculinities are taken into consideration.