Gay bars as deviant community organizations: The management of interactions with outsiders

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Abstract
Past research on interaction in gay bars and community studies are combined to focus on gay bars as deviant community organizations that vary in their receptiveness to outsiders. Our central argument is that a diverse set of encounters with nongays may aid both gays and their community in the development of expressive‐instrumental activities and in the maintenance of horizontal‐vertical ties. The four outsider roles of antagonist, guest, competitor, and customer serve as counterroles that aid in the creation and maintenance of gay identity. Data collected by a female observer in 10 Atlanta area male homosexual bars serve as the basis for investigating the processes by which different kinds of bars define the role of outsiders and manage interactions through the use of location, announcement, screening, and interior design and appearance.

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