MEN WHO CHEER MICHELLE BEMILLER* University of Akron This study examines the maintenance of gender and sexuality within a female-dominated sport, focusing specifically on men who cheer. Data were collected at a northeastern Ohio university using focus group discussions and one-on-one interviews. The interviews and discussions provided themes regarding stigmatization of male cheerleaders, the need to project a heterosexual image, and methods of saving face. Findings indicate that the gender and sexuality of men who cheer are called into question. In order to affirm their gender and sexuality as masculine and heterosexual, the men engage in behavior that sexualizes women and desexualizes their relationships with men. Overall, the findings demonstrate how the patriarchal superstructure manifests in smaller institutions in society. Implications of these findings and areas of future research are further addressed within the study. The institution of sports has long been associated with the construction and maintenance of masculinity among boys and men (Anderson 1999; Connell 1995; Koivula 2001; Lantz and Schroeder 1999; Messner 2002). As an institution, sports reinforce the patriarchal superstructure where masculinity is valued over femininity. The devaluation of femininity is reflected in the subordination of women, as well as men who participate in non-masculine activities or exhibit non-masculine characteristics or mannerisms. Participation in competitive sports that emphasize physical size, strength, and power reinforces and reaffirms the masculinity of men who participate as viewers or players (Connell 2002; Messner 1992; Suitor and Reavis 1995). Thus, sports such as football, basketball, ice hockey, and baseball that emphasize mental toughness, competitiveness, and domination are viewed as the domain of men (Griffin 1995). * Address correspondence to Michelle Bemiller, Department of Sociology, University of Akron, Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, Akron, OH 44325-1905. E-mail: mbemill@uakron.edu. I am grateful for the helpful comments from Dr. Michael Kimmel, my SWS mentor, anonymous reviewers of the manuscript and to Dr. Kathy Feltey for the insightful comments and suggestions provided on earlier drafts of this article. 205
206 SOCIOLOGICAL FOCUS Athletics provide young men with status among their peers, increasing their popularity and acceptance (Griffin 1995), assuming, of course, that these men are participating in appropriate "male" sports. Men who do not participate in masculine sports are stigmatized, leading to negative appraisals regarding their gender and sexuality (Suitor and Reavis 1995). Despite the possibility of negative appraisals, men have become more visible within female-dominated sports such as cheerleading, leading to a unique opportunity for research on gender presentation, relations, and identity. Yet, this area has not received a lot of attention to date. In contrast, notable work has been done on men's entry into female-dominated occupations. Williams (1989, 1995), for example, indicates that when men do women's work, gender differences are reproduced. Men are viewed as highly competent at their work and rise quickly through the ranks. The same is not true for women in male-identified occupations. Men in female-dominated occupations do encounter questions regarding their sexuality. This questioning, however, does little to impede their progress in the organization. To reaffirm their