Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to examine the practice of volleyball organized by gay men (gay volleyball) as an example of grassroots sports activities managed by sexual minorities in Japan, taking into account recent trends in masculinity studies, particularly the inclusive masculinity theory.
The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with participants in gay volleyball, and transcripts from these interviews were used as data.
Two primary meanings emerged from the interviews about gay volleyball. First, gay volleyball was experienced as a safe space where participants could escape everyday heterosexual norms. However, they did not ghettoize themselves, as evidenced by some gay volleyball tournament including straight or female participants. Second, gay volleyball enabled unique connections among participants, where the selective gaze involved in finding a partner was relatively diminished, yet the sense of connection among gay men as a whole was secured.
Finally, analyzing gay volleyball through the lens of inclusive masculinity theory, it is thought that the league can both preserve the heteronormative space through segregation and challenge traditional masculinity by including heterosexual participants. Additionally, it indicates a reduction in cultural homophobia in Japan, as younger players today expect gay volleyball to be more socially visible. Furthermore, gay volleyball aligns with mainstream modern sports through its competitive nature while also being open to diverse forms of involvement, such as playing with heterosexual players in one team or playing for ad hoc teams in tournaments held outside Tokyo.
