Wright Tessa
Working Lives Research Institute, London Metropolitan University, London, UK.
J Lesbian Stud. 2008;12(1):103-14. doi: 10.1300/10894160802174375.
This qualitative study explores the interaction between gender and sexuality, comparing the experiences of lesbian and heterosexual women firefighters in the UK. It finds that female firefighters are constructed in terms of their sexuality. Lesbians may find it easier than heterosexual women to be accepted into the "watch culture," in which "masculinity" is highly prized and fitting in with colleagues is seen as essential for performing the job safely. Lesbians who come out at work may also avoid unwanted sexual attention, which is often problematic for heterosexual women who are stereotyped as being sexually available to male firefighters. While the acceptance of lesbian sexuality is based largely on the adoption of characteristics defined as "masculine," lesbians also provide a challenge to accepted models of "femininity."
这项定性研究探讨了性别与性取向之间的相互作用，比较了英国女同性恋消防员和异性恋女消防员的经历。研究发现，女性消防员的形象是根据她们的性取向构建的。女同性恋者可能比异性恋女性更容易被接纳进入“值班文化”，在这种文化中，“男子气概”备受推崇，与同事融洽相处被视为安全履行工作职责的关键。在工作中公开性取向的女同性恋者也可能避免不必要的性关注，而这对被刻板印象为对男性消防员有性吸引力的异性恋女性来说往往是个问题。虽然对女同性恋性取向的接受很大程度上基于对被定义为“男性化”特征的认同，但女同性恋者也对公认的“女性气质”模式构成了挑战。
