“The experience of one’s gender and sexuality is often shaped by the urban environment and its myriad interactions.”
The concept of urban gender encompasses various identities, including women who modify their appearance and behavior in response to street harassment. This phenomenon is not only seen in women who feel pressured to dress or act a certain way for safety but also in those who adopt a more masculine presentation as a form of resistance against the societal belief that only heterosexual individuals can occupy public spaces. Additionally, some women may redefine their gender identity during their journey into a new sexual orientation.
Recently, the issue of street harassment gained significant attention when a video released by a local advocacy group featured a woman facing harassment 100 times in a single day. Dr. Maya Thompson, a researcher at the City University of New York, has highlighted the extensive mental calculations women perform to safeguard themselves in urban environments—strategies such as wearing sunglasses, using earbuds, engrossing themselves in their phones, obscuring their hair, texting friends at every intersection, and avoiding makeup or high heels, among others.
This continuous onslaught of harassment, particularly in walkable cities like New York, influences how women perceive their gender and sexuality. According to Dr. Thompson, adopting an “urban gender” can often accompany the embrace of a queer identity. She explains, “The alterations women make to their clothing, makeup, and posture to protect themselves can also transform how they interact with men they may actually be interested in, whether in social settings or through online platforms. Consequently, women tend to be more cautious, if not entirely disinterested in men, which ultimately impacts their romantic lives.”
This notion of “urban sexuality” is deeply intertwined with trauma. Dr. Thompson clarifies, “It might sound as though I’m suggesting that experiencing harassment leads to a change in sexual orientation, a stereotype perpetuated by some men. However, the reality is much more complex. An exploration of sexual identity can be a response to the cumulative effects of street harassment and sexual violence in other contexts. Women may conclude that identifying with other women offers them a sense of safety.” This connects closely to body image as well, with queer women often viewing female bodies more positively than many men, fostering a sense of empowerment and healing from past trauma.
Essentially, Dr. Thompson argues that the perception of gender can be influenced by one’s surroundings. A woman living in a metropolitan area like New York may experience a different understanding of her sexuality compared to if she were in a rural setting. “Social sciences generally recognize that gender is constructed through clothing, behavior, and societal expectations, but there is also a significant spatial element where one’s gender and sexuality are shaped by urban interactions.”
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In summary, street harassment significantly influences women’s gender identities and sexual orientations, prompting them to navigate their urban environments with caution and adaptability. The interplay between trauma and identity formation creates a nuanced understanding of how space impacts gender and sexuality.