In spite of this, little attention has been given to LGBT+ fandom and how self-identifying LGBT+ fans negotiate mediated representations of LGBT+ identity, especially when considering the increasing level of LGBT+ media representations on television and particularly on Teen TV programmes. This work predominantly explores why women create these fan texts with little consideration given to the fan’s source text. Much of this fannish engagement revolves around the creation and consumption of slash fiction (Bacon-Smith 1992 Hellekson & Busse 2006), a fan practice occurring in fan fiction communities that has been identified as a ‘queer female space’ (Lothian et al 2007, 103). In doing so, Fan Studies privileges fan voices by interrogating their quotidian on- and offline fan practices (Brooker 2002 Hills 2002), demonstrating the emotional connection these fans have to texts. In examining the level of risk participants associated with slash in Kelly Boyd's 1997 study on slash fiction, feminism, and risk compared to 2015, I found that my participants were more worried about judgement for writing sexually explicit material than about homophobia specifically.įan Studies aims to de-pathologise fans, their communities and their fannish practices (Jenkins 1992).
My research found that fans believe mainstream media's understanding of slash fiction and fandom culture is poor, but they also believe media representation has a significant influence on public perception and awareness of fandom culture. I look at past research to frame the functions of slash fiction and why media representation is important as it relates to the queer community and female sexuality. Slash fiction is loosely defined by Kelly Boyd as, "sexually explicit, amateur, gay male and lesbian tales produced predominantly by heterosexual women for heterosexual women, about characters in mainstream television series and feature movies." My research confirmed that slash fiction fans are predominantly female, but I also found that a significant portion identify as part of the LGBTQ/queer community.
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