Non-binary and contra-binary representations in Zines: exploring third space perspectives and the practice of (re)invention

Mahr, Jake

Non-binary and contra-binary representations in Zines: exploring third space perspectives and the practice of (re)invention

Document Type

Doctoral thesis
Published Version

Author

Mahr, Jake

Director

Medina-Bravo, Pilar
Oliva Rota, Mercè

Publication Date

2023-01-25

Pages

211 p.

License

Citation

Mahr, J. Non-binary and contra-binary representations in Zines: exploring third space perspectives and the practice of (re)invention. Universitat Pompeu Fabra; 2023. handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/687753

This citation was generated automatically.

Doctoral program

Programa de doctorat en Comunicació

Abstract

El binarismo de identidad limita la expresión de la identidad a dos identidades opuestas. Es una construcción social y se refuerza a través de los medios de comunicación. Los zines, o folletos auto-editados, ofrecen una oportunidad única para explorar representaciones no binarias. El principio fundamental de los zines se traduce en normas de publicación con pocas restricciones, lo que permite a los autores de los zines crear representaciones que no se ven en los medios de comunicación convencionales. A través de un análisis crítico del discurso de 20 zines, esta investigación identifica la (re)invención, o el uso y la alteración de conceptos y formas hegemónicas, como una herramienta importante para representar formas de ser no binarias y "contra binarias" en los zines. Más específicamente, cuando se utiliza la (re)invención se está ofreciendo la perspectiva de tercer espacio que cuestiona la división binaria y redefine los límites de la diferencia.
Identity binaries are categorical systems that limit the expression of human identity to two fundamentally opposed identities. These binaries are socially constructed, rather than naturally occurring, and are reinforced through media representations. Zines, or small-scale, self-published, do-it-yourself booklets and pamphlets, provide a unique opportunity to explore representations of identity that are non-binary, or that contradict the assumptions made by identity binaries. The zine medium’s guiding principles result in relaxed publication standards and few restrictions, allowing zine authors the freedom to create nuanced representations not seen in mainstream media forms. Through a critical discourse analysis of 20 sampled zines, this research identifies (re)invention, or the use and alteration of hegemonic and mainstream language, concepts, and forms, as an important tool in representing non-binary and contra-binary ways of being and seeing within zines. When deployed, (re)invention offers a third space perspective that questions binary division and redraws boundaries of similarity and difference.

Keywords

Zines, Identidad, El género, La raza, El sexo, La sexualidad, No binaria, Tercer espacio, Medios alternativos, Identity, Gender, Race, Sex, Sexuality, Non-binary, Third space, Alternative media