Queering the Pitch On-line Exhibition
Series 1: Iconic Gay Football Images Re-imagined
Over-excited professional footballers have been 'caught' on camera kissing the lips of their team mates, hugging them tenderly, crying with emotion and massaging sore shoulders in iconic football photographs that have become disparagingly known as 'gay' images. ActiveArt worked with a small group of LGBT activists to re-create some of these iconic images with out gay men in White Heart Lane stadium.
Series 2: Time for New Tactics Photo-Story
Working with queer performers and drag kings, ActiveArt developed a photo-story exploring the impact of hyper-masculinity on homophobia in professional football.
The story: our footballers disappoint their coach in the opening scene with their lack of masculinity - 'sissy-boys don't win' is the main tactic for the match they are about to play. Going to the changing room mirrors they draw on six packs and darken their stubble to increase their manliness and hopefully to better their game. The coach is dismayed by the poor performance of his team, despite their attempts to be more masculine. He is also beset by queer activists and LGBT fans who let him know that it is time for new tactics, new ways of winning the game, beyond homophobia and gender stereotypes.
The story: our footballers disappoint their coach in the opening scene with their lack of masculinity - 'sissy-boys don't win' is the main tactic for the match they are about to play. Going to the changing room mirrors they draw on six packs and darken their stubble to increase their manliness and hopefully to better their game. The coach is dismayed by the poor performance of his team, despite their attempts to be more masculine. He is also beset by queer activists and LGBT fans who let him know that it is time for new tactics, new ways of winning the game, beyond homophobia and gender stereotypes.
