Abstract

This article is the result of research developed in a public high school and discusses how the markers of gender and sexual orientation cross the experiences of flirting in this institution. It analyzes materials from interviews, conversation circles and observations inspired on ethnographic methods. The theme arises from fieldwork when young people point to flirting relationships as a practice and a recurring issue among students. As the school is an important space for youth socialization, we identified that for heterosexual flirting relationships there seems to be a script that reiterates gender expectations and norms. In contrast, among people of the same gender, flirting is marked by different assemblages so they can experience affective-sexual relationships, in addition they have to deal with experiences of discrimination.

Keywords:
youth; school; sexual orientation; gender; flirting.