Friday double feature in Columbus: ‘Sociocultural Studies of Sport’ seminar and Blue Jackets Pride Night

There are two events happening in Columbus, Ohio, this Friday, March 30, that offer a slate of both educational and entertainment activities.

Columbus Blue Jackets “Pride Night”

The latter of the day, which I’ll start with first since there is less to be said, is the Columbus Blue Jackets “Pride Night” game against the Florida Panthers.  The game starts at 7:05 p.m. with a pre-game happy hour at 5:30 p.m. in the Founders Club of Nationwide Arena.

If you are interested, Contact Erica Ganyard at (614) 246-7675 to order tickets or with questions.  Tickets are available at four prices: $34, $50, $62, or $85.

A portion of the ticket sales benefit ARC Ohio, Bravo, Equality Ohio, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, and TransOhio.  Being that I go to ARC Ohio for HIV testing; consider Ed Mullen, executive director of Equality Ohio, a friend; volunteered for a year at KYC; and know that Bravo and TransOhio do tremendous work; that these great organization will be beneficiaries in some capacity is reason to attend.  For a portion of your ticket price to go these organizations, you need to purchase your tickets from Ms. Ganyard.

I am slightly disappointed with the slate of the programming this year, however.  Compared with last year, which had the entire group sitting together in the sky terrace (a more private and intimate setting which was great for those that may not feel the most comfortable holding their partner’s hand, etc. while sitting in the normal seating areas) and had a post-game game between two gay hockey teams, Ohio Mayhem and Chicago Black Wolves), the agenda leaves me wanting more.  Basically, there is a pre-game happy hour (cool), but the tickets are scattered all over (boo) and there is no other programming advertised (double boo).  (For an example of how it should be done, check out the programming for the Washington Nationals game last season.)

I’m hoping that since Blue Jacket Rick Nash recently joined the You Can Play campaign, that there is a chance the PSA will air during the game.  But I’m not counting on it.

“Humanistic Foundations: Historical, Philosophical and Sociocultural Studies of Sport”

The Ohio State University, joined by Pennsylvania State University and University of Western Ontario, is hosting an all-day conference for the cross-disciplinary study of sport at the Ohio Union, Barbie Tootle Room, 1739 N. High Street.

The event lasts all day and includes a number of topics that look to be interesting, including cross-studies of race, sexuality, gender, and more.

I am particularly interested in those in Session I, “Mediated Differences: Representations of Gender and Sexuality.”  This session includes topics such as:

- 8:00-8:20 “Identifying Typologies: Women Bloggers and the Concept of ‘Sports’”

- 9:00-9:20 “‘What Kind of Respectable, Straight Male’: Paulie Malignaggi, Homophobia and Professional Boxing”

Session II also includes: “Controlling Sex in Sport: The Initial Days of Sex Testing by the IOC” from 9:50-10:10.

Other topics for the day will cover sociological implications in physical education, globalization of the NBA affecting the player’s union, ethical dimensions with parents coaching youth sports, and more.  You can view a complete schedule of all the topics here.  (There is also a welcome gathering on Thursday evening and a closing reception on Friday evening.)

Materials prepared for the event also include abstracts for the topics, so you can get a glimpse of the content before attending.

The abstract for the discussion on homophobia in sport is on page 15, and pasted below:

“What Kind of Respectable, Straight Male”: Paulie Malignaggi, Homophobia and Professional Boxing

MacIntosh Ross, University of Western Ontario; Daniel Taradash, University of Iowa

In the twenty-first century, internet forums, article responses and blogs have made the World Wide Web an unprecedented repository for often overlooked opinions of sports fans. Since many of these opinions are uncensored, readers are often presented with harsh, stereotyped views regarding class, race and gender. This paper will focus on perceptions of gender in online boxing fan forums, using R.W. Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity to explain homophobic reactions to American boxer Paulie Malignaggi on various boxing websites.

In 2007, Paulie Malignaggi won the International Boxing Federation world light welterweight championship by defeating title-holder Lovemore N’dou. Malignaggi defended his title twice before vacating the championship to fight Ricky Hatton in 2008. Unlike other champions, Malignaggi’s sexuality was routinely discussed and/or attacked online. Although his skills elevated him to the rank of champion, Malignaggi’s appearance – bright colored ring attire and thoroughly groomed look – did not align with hegemonic notions of masculinity. Furthermore, Malignaggi’s reliance on speed and technique, rather than power, was routinely pointed out, criticized and linked to his lack of ‘manliness.’

Within hegemony, a dominant cultural form does not extinguish all competitors. As Connell argues, other forms of masculinity continue to occur throughout society, constituting alternative, albeit subordinate, ways of being a man. We will argue that Malignaggi represents a subordinate masculinity, outside the boundaries of the dominant, hegemonic masculine culture exalted in boxing and other sports. Since hegemonic masculinity is heterosexual, many boxing fans framed Mailgnaggi as homosexual when discussing the fighter online. Fans typically approached Malignaggi’s sexuality in one of two ways. First of all, fans create posts asking for verification of Malignaggi’s sexuality. Secondly, some fans attack Malignaggi’s ability as a boxer by labeling him with homophobic pejoratives, suggesting that a homosexual man cannot box successfully. Ultimately, both types of forum entry reinforce existing notions of masculinity, marginalizing not only Malignaggi, but boxers who actually are homosexual.

If you attend either event, look for me and say hello!  I’ll try to take notes to document the various panels I attend and of course I will be reporting on anything notable that happens at the Blue Jackets game.

ARC Ohio, Bravo, Columbus Blue Jackets, Equality Ohio, Florida Panthers, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Ohio State University, Outlook Media, Pennsylvania State University, Pride Night, Stonewall Columbus, TransOhio, University of Western Ontario Hide