Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Gay and Lesbian Families and
Tour ism
Howard Hughes and Carol Southall
Introduction
The academic interest in tourism of gay men and lesbian women has
not yet extended to studies of families in this context (Guaracino, 2007;
Hughes, 2006; Waitt & Markwell, 2006). This may be because studies in
this field are relatively new and have focused on more obvious dimensions.
It is also the case that 'family' has not usually been a concept applied to gay
and lesbian people.
There is a lack of academic studies of the gay and lesbian family and
tourism. This chapter therefore has the limited objective of reviewing the
nature of the gay or lesbian family and drawing upon this to derive implica-
tions for the travel experiences of gay and lesbian people.
The gay or lesbian
'family' exists in the context of societies where there is a heterosexual norm
of family. Gay or lesbian relationships are complex and diverse but can,
nonetheless, be interpreted as families, especially where there are children
parented by gay or lesbian persons. They do, though, tend to be judged,
usually negatively, by that heterosexual norm and this gives rise to particu-
lar issues in holiday decision-making.
Families
The 'family' is conventionally regarded, at core, as two, different-sex, partners
who have children as the biological product of their relationship. Invariably
these partners have undertaken a formal affirmation of their relationship -
usually marriage. There is a presumption of a special relationship wherein the
partners have 'rights' relating to each other and to children (Demo & Allen,
1996); particular roles are assumed, with men undertaking 'instrumental'
and women more 'expressive' activities. Such a structural-functional family
model implicitly ensures commitment, stability and the transmission of
common values to following generations (Demo & Allen, 1996).
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