Non-binary identity in feminist zines: media third spaces and oppositional consciousness

Abstract

Despite numerous academic critiques of the normative identity dichotomies of gender (masculine vs. feminine), sex (male vs. female), sexuality (heterosexual vs. non-heterosexual), and race (white vs. non-white), many mainstream media practices fail to disrupt such binaries, often reinforcing stereotypes and underrepresenting (or misrepresenting) particular “othered” identities. This proposed research will take a turn at analyzing zines – small-scale, selfpublished, do-it-yourself booklets – in hopes of revealing specific rhetorical and discursive strategies used within the medium to articulate identities within or without a two-part identity binary, offering a “third space.” Qualitative content analysis will assign particular attention to examples of specific theoretical concepts founded in key academic literature on oppositional consciousness. Through such research, it may be possible to showcase zines as a potential media form that moves beyond binary systems of identification, having implications for future, more-inclusive mainstream media practices.