Skip to main content
View expanded cover

Consumer Tribes in Tourism pp 69–81Cite as

The Coalescence of the LGBTQI+ Neo-Tribes During the Pride Events

Abstract

Pride events have transformed from being protests to becoming celebrations of diversity. As a social phenomenon, such events represent the collective interests of the LGBTQI+ communities and the individual agendas of the gender and sexually diverse groups that are part of the LGBTQI+ acronym. This chapter examines pride events by applying a neo-tribal theory perspective based on the four characteristics of neo-tribes being: fluidity in membership; shared sentiment; rituals and symbols; and space. It is argued that while the LGBTQI+ communities together represent a neo-tribe with a unified purpose, the individual communities form sub-tribes and provide a unique interpretation based on their sexual and gender identity. Using a participant observation approach, this chapter presents a discussion on the interplay between sub-tribes and the overall neo-tribe that coalesce together to construct a pride event, its holistic message and the experiences therein.

Keywords

  • Neo-tribal theory
  • LGBTQI+
  • Pride
  • Neo-tribes
  • Sub-tribes
  • Participant observation

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-7150-3_6
  • Chapter length: 13 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-981-15-7150-3
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 6.1

(Reproduced from Vorobjovas-Pinta 2017)

References

  • Ammaturo, F. R. (2016). Spaces of pride: A visual ethnography of gay pride parades in Italy and the United Kingdom. Social Movement Studies, 15(1), 19–40.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Arnould, E. J., & Thompson, C. J. (2005). Consumer culture theory (CCT): Twenty years of research. Journal of Consumer Research, 31(4), 868–882.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Aubert-Gamet, V., & Cova, B. (1999). Servicescapes: From modern non-places to postmodern common places. Journal of Business Research, 44(1), 37–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, H., & Geer, B. (1957). Participant observation and interviewing: A comparison. Human Organization, 16(3), 28–32.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, A. (1999). Subcultures or neo-tribes? Rethinking the relationship between youth, style and musical taste. Sociology, 33(3), 599–617.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, A. (2002). Researching youth culture and popular music: A methodological critique. The British Journal of Sociology, 53(3), 451–466.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, A. (2005). In defence of neo-tribes: A response to Blackman and Hesmondhalgh. Journal of Youth Studies, 8(2), 255–259.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, A. (2011). The post-subcultural turn: Some reflections 10 years on. Journal of Youth Studies, 14(5), 493–506.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Binnie, J., & Klesse, C. (2011). ‘Because it was a bit like going to an adventure park’: The politics of hospitality in transnational lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer activist networks. Tourist Studies, 11(2), 157–174.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, S., McLoughlin, D., & Keating, A. (2005). Individual and neo-tribal consumption: Tales from the Simpsons of Springfield. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 4(5), 330–344.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Cova, B., & Cova, V. (2002). Tribal marketing: The tribalisation of society and its impact on the conduct of marketing. European Journal of Marketing, 36(5–6), 595–620.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • e Silva, S. C., & dos Santos, M. C. (2012). How to capitalise on a tribe. the Marketing Review, 12(4), 417–434.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, D. (1997). Michel Maffesoli’s sociology of modernity and postmodernity: An introduction and critical assessment. The Sociological Review, 45(2), 220–243.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, A., & Markwell, K. (2017). Special events and social reform: The case of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and the Australian marriage equality movement. Event Management, 21(6), 683–695.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Fuss, D. (1991). Inside/outside: Lesbian theories. Gay theories. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goulding, C., & Shankar, A. (2011). Club culture, neotribalism and ritualised behaviour. Annals of Tourism Research, 38(4), 1435–1453.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Greenacre, L., Freeman, L., & Donald, M. (2013). Contrasting social network and tribal theories: An applied perspective. Journal of Business Research, 66(7), 948–954.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, A., Gretzel, U., & Hanson, D. (2013). Travelling neo-tribes: Conceptualising recreational vehicle users. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 11(1–2), 48–60.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, A., & Robards, B. (2015). The ties that bind: Exploring the relevance of neotribal theory to tourism. Tourism Analysis, 20(4), 443–454.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hughson, J. (1999). A tale of two tribes: Expressive fandom in Australian soccer’s a-league. Culture, Sport, Society, 2(3), 10–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, L. (2005). Queering tourism: Paradoxical performances at gay pride parades. Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, L. (2007). Mobilizing pride/shame: Lesbians, tourism and parades. Social & Cultural Geography, 8(1), 29–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kriwoken, L., & Hardy, A. (2018). Neo-tribes and Antarctic expedition cruise ship tourists. Annals of Leisure Research, 21(2), 161–177.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Lamond, I. R. (2018). The challenge of articulating human rights at an LGBT ‘mega-event’: A personal reflection on Sao Paulo Pride 2017. Leisure Studies, 37(1), 36–48.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Laughland, O. (2012). Is pride today about gay rights or just partying? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jul/06/conversation-pride-gay-rights-party.

  • Maffesoli, M. (1996). The time of the tribes. London, UK: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markwell, K. (2002). Mardi gras tourism and the construction of Sydney as an international gay and lesbian city. GLQ A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies, 8(1), 81–99.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Markwell, K., & Waitt, G. (2009). Festivals, space and sexuality: Gay pride in Australia. Tourism Geographies, 11(2), 143–168.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • McNair, R., & Hughes, T. L. (2012). Coming out: Is the Mardi Gras still needed? The Medical Journal of Australia, 196(4), 224.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Meir, R., & Scott, D. (2007). Tribalism: Definition, identification and relevance to the marketing of professional sports franchises. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 8(4), 43–59.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ong, F., & Goh, S. (2018). Pink is the new gray: Events as agents of social change. Event Management, 22(6), 965–979.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Robards, B., & Bennett, A. (2011). MyTribe: Post-subcultural manifestations of belonging on social network sites. Sociology, 45(2), 303–317.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Swank, E., Frost, D. M., & Fahs, B. (2012). Rural location and exposure to minority stress among sexual minorities in the United States. Psychology & Sexuality, 3(3), 226–243.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, V. (1969). Liminality and communitas. In V. Turner, R. D. Abrahams, & A. Harris (Eds.), The ritual process: Structure and anti-structure (pp. 94–130). Chicago, IL: Aldine Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorobjovas-Pinta, O. (2017). Gay neo-tribes: an exploration of space and travel behaviour (Doctoral dissertation). Sandy Bay, Australia: University of Tasmania.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorobjovas-Pinta, O. (2018a). ‘It’s been nice, but we’re going back to our lives’: Neo-tribalism and the role of space in a gay resort. In A. Hardy, A. Bennett, & B. Robards (Eds.), Neo-Tribes: Consumption, leisure and tourism (pp. 71–87). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorobjovas-Pinta, O. (2018b). Gay neo-tribes: Exploration of travel behaviour and space. Annals of Tourism Research, 75, 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorobjovas-Pinta, O., & Hardy, A. (2020). Resisting marginalisation and reconstituting space through LGBTQI+ events. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, ahead-of-print, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1769638.

Download references

Acknowledgments

Parts of this chapter appeared in Gay neo-tribes: an exploration of space and travel behaviour (Doctoral dissertation) by Oskaras Vorobjovas-Pinta, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Australia, 2017.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia

    Oscar Vorobjovas-Pinta

  2. Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia

    Clifford Lewis

Authors
  1. Oscar Vorobjovas-Pinta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Clifford Lewis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Oscar Vorobjovas-Pinta .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Marketing, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia

    Christof Pforr

  2. School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia

    Ross Dowling

  3. School of Marketing, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia

    Michael Volgger

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Vorobjovas-Pinta, O., Lewis, C. (2021). The Coalescence of the LGBTQI+ Neo-Tribes During the Pride Events. In: Pforr, C., Dowling, R., Volgger, M. (eds) Consumer Tribes in Tourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7150-3_6

Download citation