Breaking Norms and Navigating Spaces: Queer Men’s Urban Mobility in Rotterdam

With societies being primarily urban, hence with most people living in cities, urban mobility can heavily impact access to resources, social networks, and community formation. The experiences within the urban space can therefore shape the dynamics of social inequalities among various marginalised communities. This research, grounded in existing literature on women’s experiences with urban mobility and public space, examined the experiences of queer men in Rotterdam. Through 12 in-depth interviews and ‘sketch mapping’, an intersectional approach was adopted, considering sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and age. It was found that while queer men face the same ‘unsafety of femininity’ as women when breaking gender norms in the way they dress or behave, their experiences differ due to their identification as men. Additionally, the practice of ‘cruising’ emerged as a distinct experience for queer men, creating a space to bend gender and sexuality in a setting that becomes both private and public.