"By learning more about femmephobia, we can reduce the stigma around femininity and create a more accepting environment for people of all genders in sports and beyond," says Melanie Gunn, a Catharine Parr Traill College student pursuing her Master’s in the Psychology program at Trent University. As Pride Month shines a spotlight on LGBTQ+ identities and their struggles, Melanie's research takes centre court as she explores women's experiences of femmephobic gender policing in sports, aiming to foster inclusivity and celebrate diverse expressions of femininity. 

Driven by her previous findings on women's encounters with pressure to be less feminine in masculine domains, including sports, Melanie is determined to shed light on the systematic devaluation and regulation of femininity. "Femmephobia is a relatively new concept, and many people are unaware of its existence or fail to fully understand it. It's crucial to spread awareness and knowledge," she shares. 

Femmephobia can be defined as hostility, dislike, and tightly controlling attitudes targeting femininity and individuals who express themselves in feminine ways.  

In her research, Melanie investigates the connections between femmephobia, dual body image conflicts, and women's participation in sports. By uncovering the challenges women face in reconciling their femininity with societal expectations of athleticism that often demand masculinity, she aims to empower feminine individuals to express their true selves without fear of judgment or repercussions. "We want to make sports a more accepting place for anyone, regardless of their gender identity or expression," says Melanie. 

“While female athletes often report feeling pressured to be ‘appropriately feminine’ to ‘ward off’ assumptions that they may be lesbians, we know much less about how athletes may face pressure to suppress or reduce their feminine expressions to be seen as athletically competent,” shares Dr. Blair while reflecting on Melanie’s project. “Women and gender-diverse athletes often find themselves needing to walk a ‘tight-rope’ of appearing appropriately feminine enough for their sexuality not to be called into question while also shunning overly feminine expressions that may make them appear as ‘less serious’ or ‘less competent’ competitive athletes.”  

Professor Blair shares that the Trent Social Relations, Attitudes & Diversity Lab, presents Melanie with the unique opportunity to work on this study with an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional team of researchers who are leading experts in the field of femininities studies. 

Choosing Trent University for her studies was a transformative decision for Melanie. Reflecting on her experience, she expresses gratitude for the immense support she has received from her co-supervisors Prof. Blair and Dr. Rhea Ashley Hoskin, a leading expert in research around femmephobia. "It's an incredible experience to have so much support. It makes me truly happy."  

Sharing research at a national conference  

Melanie credits the inclusive and empowering environment at Trent for enabling her to delve into the emerging field of femmephobia research with confidence. As Melanie prepares to present her undergraduate research at the 2023 Preaching to the Choir Conference in partnership with the Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, she eagerly anticipates sharing her findings and raising awareness about femmephobia.

"I find it important for everyone to hear about and learn about femmephobia, as it affects everyone. It makes me feel like what I'm doing is important.” 

Looking ahead, Melanie envisions pursuing a Ph.D. at the University to continue her research on femmephobia. With such vast possibilities for exploration, she hopes to contribute to a better understanding of femmephobia's impact and pave the way for a more inclusive and accepting society. 

As we celebrate the diverse identities and experiences in the LGBTQ+ community, Melanie's research stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of feminine individuals in sports – whether the athletes are women, men, or nonbinary. By challenging femmephobia and embracing diverse expressions of femininity, Melanie's work fosters a sense of pride and acceptance, creating a more inclusive world where all individuals can thrive and be celebrated for who they are. 

Learn more about the Master of Science in Psychology program at Trent University.