Investigation into the experiences of young adults who are the second sibling to self-identify and come out as a sexual minority in their families of origin is non-existent. In the context of evolving conceptualizations of the coming out process, the present study sought to explore the perceptions of the second sibling to come out as LGBT in the family of origin and the role of the already-out LGBT sibling on the coming out process. Guided by an integration of life course theory and symbolic interactionism, 15 young adults participated in intensive interviews involving their personal coming out experiences, self-identification processes, and family relationships. A constructivist grounded theory approach to data analysis was utilized, as deeper understandings of meaning and context was a goal of this inquiry. An iterative process of open, axial, and selective coding yielded 3 themes and 10 sub-categories that revealed the nuances of LGBT siblings and their family structures and dynamics, the coming out process of both the first and second siblings, and the construction of meaning post-coming out. The findings of this study have significant implications for the advancement of understanding when two or more siblings navigate the coming out process in their families of origin. Family scholars, practitioners, and community professionals will be able to utilize these findings in their work with LGBT individuals and their families. / Ph. D.

The thesis describes the process of coming out in non-heterosexual people, its development and importance in heteronormative societies. It focuses on the overall inclusivity, destigmatization and detabuization of non-heterosexual people in the society as well as in the scientific research. The theoretic part presents firstly the original models describing coming out as a linear development with a clear ending and secondly the current concept perceiving coming out as a complex psycho-social-sexual process, not necessarily one-directional nor terminable. The key part of the secondly named approach are eight developmental milestones which in some way appear during the process of coming out in most non-heterosexual people. The empirical part focuses on coming out in Czech society, mostly on the search for common topics which can be found during its course and the description of their specific form in the participants of the study. Qualitative empirical design, specifically semi-structured in-depth interviews and thematic analysis were used for these purposes. The results partly correspond with the developmental milestones described in the theoretic part, but new topics - specific for the Czech society - appear as well. Keywords Coming out; Heteronormativity; Non-heterosexuality; Sexual identity; Sexual...

Difficile à manier, le thème de l’homosexualité est peu exploité dans le domaine des arts. Dans la littérature jeunesse québécoise, on trouve peu de personnages principaux homosexuels constituant des représentations positives pour les adolescents. Double échappée, le premier volet de ce mémoire en recherche-création, résulte d’une volonté de contribuer à ce secteur en braquant le projecteur sur deux protagonistes adolescents qui vivent leur homosexualité en parallèle. L’un doit apprendre à vivre avec cette réalité qui est toute nouvelle pour lui tandis que le second, sorti du placard et censément à l’aise avec son homosexualité, se voit obligé de réaffirmer son identité lorsqu’il arrive dans un nouvel environnement. Leurs parcours s’entremêlent, leur relation grandit et on assiste à leurs prises de conscience, diverses certes, mais aussi complémentaires. Le second volet du mémoire, intitulé Se dire, se comprendre : l’homosexualité dans les romans québécois pour la jeunesse, sert en quelque sorte de cadre contextuel à Double échappée. Adoptant un parcours en grande partie sociologique, cet essai examine le traitement des enjeux identitaires soulevés par l’homosexualité dans quelques romans québécois. Y est brièvement analysée la manière dont six ouvrages récents destinés à la jeunesse portent le sujet, particulièrement en ce qui a trait à la prise de conscience identitaire et son expression. Cette étude se penche sur la façon dont ces récits proposent la découverte de l’homosexualité par des adolescents en s’attardant à la présentation des personnages homosexuels et leur cheminement. Il s’agit de mettre en lumière la manière dont le texte montre et fait entendre la voie/voix des protagonistes gays et lesbiens. / A delicate matter, homosexuality as a theme is seldom exploited in the arts. In Quebec’s literature for young people, we can only find a few main homosexual characters constituting positive representations for teenagers. Double échappée, the first part of this master thesis in research-creation, contributes to this field by directing the spotlight towards two teenagers who live their homosexuality in parallel. One has to learn to cope with this reality, a reality that is still new to him. At the same time, the other one, out of the closet and seamlessly at ease with his homosexuality, is forced to reaffirm his identity when he arrives in a new environment. Their paths are intertwined, their relationship grows and the reader is shown their awakenings, different but also tightly connected one to another. The second part of this master thesis, entitled Se dire, se comprendre : l’homosexualité dans les romans québécois pour la jeunesse, is somewhat Double échappée’s contextual frame. With the sociological implications of the topic in mind, this essay studies the various treatments of identity issues brought up by homosexuality in a few novels published in Quebec. It analyzes the way six recent works destined for young adults hold the topic of homosexuality, especially in regard to identity awareness and its expression. This study concentrates on the way those books propose the uncovering of homosexuality by teenagers by focussing on the homosexual characters’ representations and their progression. It is important to see how the stories give a voice to the lesbian and gay protagonists.

Difficile à manier, le thème de l’homosexualité est peu exploité dans le domaine des arts. Dans la littérature jeunesse québécoise, on trouve peu de personnages principaux homosexuels constituant des représentations positives pour les adolescents. Double échappée, le premier volet de ce mémoire en recherche-création, résulte d’une volonté de contribuer à ce secteur en braquant le projecteur sur deux protagonistes adolescents qui vivent leur homosexualité en parallèle. L’un doit apprendre à vivre avec cette réalité qui est toute nouvelle pour lui tandis que le second, sorti du placard et censément à l’aise avec son homosexualité, se voit obligé de réaffirmer son identité lorsqu’il arrive dans un nouvel environnement. Leurs parcours s’entremêlent, leur relation grandit et on assiste à leurs prises de conscience, diverses certes, mais aussi complémentaires. Le second volet du mémoire, intitulé Se dire, se comprendre : l’homosexualité dans les romans québécois pour la jeunesse, sert en quelque sorte de cadre contextuel à Double échappée. Adoptant un parcours en grande partie sociologique, cet essai examine le traitement des enjeux identitaires soulevés par l’homosexualité dans quelques romans québécois. Y est brièvement analysée la manière dont six ouvrages récents destinés à la jeunesse portent le sujet, particulièrement en ce qui a trait à la prise de conscience identitaire et son expression. Cette étude se penche sur la façon dont ces récits proposent la découverte de l’homosexualité par des adolescents en s’attardant à la présentation des personnages homosexuels et leur cheminement. Il s’agit de mettre en lumière la manière dont le texte montre et fait entendre la voie/voix des protagonistes gays et lesbiens. / A delicate matter, homosexuality as a theme is seldom exploited in the arts. In Quebec’s literature for young people, we can only find a few main homosexual characters constituting positive representations for teenagers. Double échappée, the first part of this master thesis in research-creation, contributes to this field by directing the spotlight towards two teenagers who live their homosexuality in parallel. One has to learn to cope with this reality, a reality that is still new to him. At the same time, the other one, out of the closet and seamlessly at ease with his homosexuality, is forced to reaffirm his identity when he arrives in a new environment. Their paths are intertwined, their relationship grows and the reader is shown their awakenings, different but also tightly connected one to another. The second part of this master thesis, entitled Se dire, se comprendre : l’homosexualité dans les romans québécois pour la jeunesse, is somewhat Double échappée’s contextual frame. With the sociological implications of the topic in mind, this essay studies the various treatments of identity issues brought up by homosexuality in a few novels published in Quebec. It analyzes the way six recent works destined for young adults hold the topic of homosexuality, especially in regard to identity awareness and its expression. This study concentrates on the way those books propose the uncovering of homosexuality by teenagers by focussing on the homosexual characters’ representations and their progression. It is important to see how the stories give a voice to the lesbian and gay protagonists.

This diploma thesis deals with experiences and ideas of parenting trans*'s persons in the context of their identity. I primarily follow feminist theories and constructivist paradigm, where the research being realized through semi-structured interviews. In the theoretical part I define the basic terms and concepts on which my work is based. I focus on the conceptualization of trans* identities, on the concept of transsexuality in the Czech medical and socio-legal discourse, as well as on their limits in terms of gender perspective. Furthermore, I present the partnership and sexual relations of trans* persons, which then lead me to parenthood itself in the context of trans * identities. Finally, I deal with the coming-out process, especially with a focus on offspring. Within the analytical part I am interested in the attitude of trans* people to prevent reproductive function as the legal condition of gender transition, what reproductive ways and ways of parenting they choose, what obstacles they encounter in the context of parenthood and how they perform their parental role. Key words: gender, trans* identity, heteronormativity, coming out, homophobia, transphobia, limits of identity, parenting, parenting role, kids

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how LGB college students created meaning out of their coming out process to their parents. I recruited LGB college students who perceived support from their parents during their coming out process and asked the following research question: What are the lived experiences of LGB college students who have experienced support from their parents during the coming out process? Seven White (n = 4), African American (n = 2), and Hispanic (n = 1) college students, three men and four women aged 18-24 years, shared narratives that included time periods before, during, and after their coming out disclosures to their parents. Using an adapted phenomenological analysis, I identified nine major themes: awareness of feeling different, positive relationship with parents prior to coming out, college impacting the coming out process, feeling unsure of how parents would respond to disclosure, parents assuring continued loved and acceptance, parents affirming LGB identity, increased relational depth with parents, increased sense of authenticity, and an appreciation for family's response and support. The findings provide insight into how counselors might work most beneficially with LGB college students and their parents around the coming out process. Opportunities for future research and limitations of the study are discussed.

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To better understand the responses of siblings to the disclosure of a sister's lesbian identity, eight pairs of siblings, each consisting of one lesbian participant and one of her siblings, were interviewed. Both lesbian and sibling participants were asked to discuss family relationships before disclosure (coming out), the actual disclosure, sibling reactions, parental reactions, and family relationships since disclosure. Notable results include "closeness" in sibling relationships and high levels of "trust" as strong predictors of supportive sibling responses. Siblings were also found to take on the role of confidant and counselor for their parents as they negotiated their daughters' newly-disclosed sexual orientation.

Thesis advisor: James R. Mahalik / Most stage models of gay identity development posit that gay men follow a distinct hierarchical blueprint wherein internal identity processes (e.g. dismantling internalized homonegativity) co-occur with increasing disclosure of their sexual orientation to others (i.e. greater outness). However, some scholars contend that linear stage models lack flexibility and do not account for the diversity of gay men's experience (Fassinger & Miller, 1996). Specifically, gay men's internal and public identity processes may advance by way of distinct, unparallel pathways and for that reason should be evaluated in conjunction and independently of one another. Extending Meyer's (1995; 2003) minority stress model, this study examined the role of childhood gender behavior, adult masculinity, social support and socioeconomic status in explaining gay men's identity status and degree of outness. Five hundred eighteen gay men recruited from online sources (e.g. listservs, Usenet groups) completed measures assessing stigma, anti-gay attack, recalled childhood gender behavior, masculinity, social support, and socioeconomic status. Hierarchical and logistic regression analyses supported several hypotheses reflected in the findings that stigma, anti-gay attack, masculinity, and social support were significantly associated with gay men's identity status and outness. In addition, socioeconomic status moderated the relationship between masculinity and outness, as well as between minority stress (anti-gay attack) and identity status. Altogether, each of the factors examined in this study appear to play a unique role in explaining gay men's identity development and outness, underscoring the complexity of the social context that may intensify or alleviate the stress of these processes. The theoretical implications, future research, limitations, and recommendations for counselors are discussed. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology.

A decisão por revelar a orientação sexual, bem como em quais contextos fazê-lo, implica diretamente na trajetória de vida dos homossexuais. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a revelação da orientação sexual, segundo as características sociodemográficas, contextos e graus de revelação e episódios de discriminação e agressão entre 1217 homens de 18 a 77 anos, frequentadores de espaços de sociabilidade em dois distritos da capital paulista que aceitaram participar do estudo Sampacentro. Este estudo é um desdobramento de pesquisa maior cuja metodologia adotada foi à amostragem por tempo-espaço e os instrumentos de coleta foram: questionários de inclusão e estruturado com questões sociodemográficas, sociabilidade/práticas sexuais, atitudes e percepções sobre prevenção, estigma e discriminação. As variáveis foram descritas por frequências e proporções. Os testes de hipótese utilizados foram qui-quadrado de Pearson e Exato de Fischer para as diferenças entre as proporções e qui-quadrado de tendência para as variáveis ordinais. O nível de significância adotado foi 5 por cento . Predominou raça/cor de pele branca (59 por cento ), alta escolaridade, 43 por cento com graduação concluída; elevada proporção de atividade remunerada (90 por cento ); prevaleceu padrão socioeconômico B (57 por cento ); elevada proporção de não praticantes de religião (51 por cento ); 55 por cento solteiros e 82 por cento homossexuais. Foram estatisticamente significantes a revelação da orientação entre os jovens, os de raça/cor branca, os que estavam namorando e entre os homossexuais. 52 por cento dos participantes compartilharam a orientação sexual em todos os contextos sociais e em ordem crescente a distribuição da revelação entre os domínios da vida se deu nos contextos de amizade, dos serviços de saúde, familiar, trabalho e escolar. Em relação à experiência de discriminação observamos tendência crescente a maior exposição à medida que a orientação era compartilhada em número maior de contextos sociais. Para agressão também verificamos tendência crescente à medida que a orientação estava compartilhada em mais contextos sociais nos subitens: agressão física, verbal e ameaça de agressão, chantagem e constrangimento no trabalho. Concluímos que a revelação da orientação sexual é ainda um desafio na trajetória de homens homossexuais, acentuada por barreiras sociais, e que quanto mais contextos sociais compartilham a informação acerca da orientação sexual maior é a possibilidade da pessoa homossexual ser submetida a atos de discriminação e agressão. / The decision to reveal ones sexual orientation, and in what contexts to do it has a direct impact on the trajectory of homosexuals lives. The objective of this study was to describe the development of sexual orientation according to sociodemographic characteristics, contexts and degrees of development and episodes of discrimination and aggression among 1217 men aged 18 to 77 years frequenting social spaces in two areas of São Paulos State capital who agreed to participate in the Sampacentro study. This study is an outgrowth of a larger research whose methodology was the time-space sampling and whose data collection instruments were: questionnaires about inclusion structured around questions about sociodemographic data, sociability and sexual practices, attitudes and perceptions about prevention, stigma and discrimination. The variables were described as frequencies and proportions. The hypothesis tests used were chi-square test and Fisher\'s Exact test for differences between proportions and chi-square test for trends for ordinal variables. The level of significance was set at 5 per cent . Predominant among the sample were the white race/color (59 per cent ), high level of education, (43 per cent university graduates), high employment rate (90 per cent ), high socioeconomic standard (57 per cent in Class B), high proportion of not practicing any religion (51 per cent ); 55 per cent declared themselves as single and 82 per cent as gay. The revelation of their status as gay was statistically significant among young people, the white race/skin color, among those who were dating and among homosexuals. Fifty-two percent of participants shared information about their sexual orientation in all social scenarios; the distribution is given in ascending order in the scenarios of friendship, health services, family, school and work. Regarding the experience of all kinds of discrimination there was tendency to greater discrimination as the sexual orientation was shared in more scenarios. There was in increasing trend for suffering aggression as the orientation was shared in more scenarios, regarding physical aggression, verbal abuse and threats, beatings, the scam of lacing drinks with hypnotic drugs, blackmail and harassment at work. We conclude that the development of sexual orientation is still a challenge in the trajectory of homosexual men marked by social barriers, and that in the greater number of social scenarios the information about gay sexual orientation is shared, the bigger are the chances to suffer discrimination and aggression.