The (im)possible sexual difference: Representations from a rugby union setting

Abstract

To date Luce Irigaray’s sexual difference theory has had very little impact on sport feminism studies. While sexual difference is still considered in some feminist circles as a regression to the old idea of anatomy as destiny, Irigaray’s sexual difference theory is more about criticizing the universal male subject and creating the possibility of female subjectivity. Irigaray’s work is focused on language and normative categories. Using Irigaray’s sexual difference theory to analyse and represent women’s rugby experiences allows us to go beyond the difference between biological sexes. It concentrates on difference amongst women and within a fragmented and contradictory female subject. To represent these experiences, a creative non-fictional personal narrative is used.