Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Melbourne, 2002. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 30, 2005). Includes bibliographical references (p. 337-363).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2007. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 270-274).

Thesis (M.S.W.) -- Ohio State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-114). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (M.A.)--Dalhousie University, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-85).

This study is based on a content analysis of two primary sources: 1) literature published on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth in professional journals for school providers (school counselors, nurses, psychologists and social workers) over more than a 30-year period; and 2) materials developed for school providers on LGBT youth by states with laws, regulations and professional policies related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity in schools. Fifteen professional journals were identified that serve as primary and secondary journals for school providers. A total of 41 articles were published in these journals on LGBT youth between 1937 and 2005. Journal articles were coded by the investigator and a second coder, with an inter-rater reliability rate of .97. Most articles focused on identity development, and a majority provided information on developing a supportive school environment for LGB youth. Few focused on issues of salience for contemporary generations of LGBT adolescents, such as resiliency and strength or positive youth development. Only one article focused on youth of color, one on lesbian youth and none on transgender youth. Less than one-third included HIV/AIDS, only 7% mentioned HIV counseling and testing, and 2% mentioned lesbians' risk for STDs. Nearly three-fourths of articles (71%) focused on interventions with LGB youth (few included transgender youth), including the need to promote a safe school environment. Few empirical articles (19.5%), a handful of training articles (7.3%) no theoretical and very few review articles (2.2%) were published during this period. Although nearly one-third of the states had adopted laws, regulations or professional standards to prohibit discrimination of students on the basis of sexual orientation (and 4 included gender identity), no states other than Massachusetts had developed training materials for school providers on LGBT youth. However, Massachusetts' materials were never used since their program was defunded in 2002. Several states made training on LGBT adolescents available to school providers through professional and community organizations. Coupled with limited and outdated content in professional journals, school providers lack access to current multidisciplinary research, theoretical literature and information reviews needed to inform their work with LGBT students and their families.

Introdução - A população de jovens gays apresenta particular vulnerabilidade à infecção pelo HIV/aids. Segundo tendência observada em pesquisas, nos últimos dez anos observouse aumento estatisticamente significativo da taxa de detecção do vírus em homens gays com idades entre 18 e 29 anos. Para aqueles que recebem o diagnóstico de HIV/aids, a nova realidade se encontra envolvida por fatores como a auto aceitação da orientação sexual, estigmas anteriores ao diagnóstico, suporte familiar e social, crenças sobre o vírus e restabelecimento de vínculos e comportamentos. Contudo, são escassos estudos que foquem nas vivências das relações afetivas e sexuais de jovens gays após o diagnóstico. Objetivo - Estabeleceu-se como objetivo geral desta pesquisa compreender as implicações e significados do diagnóstico do HIV nas relações afetivo sexuais de jovens gays. Método - O estudo proposto baseia-se na pesquisa qualitativa, como forma de privilegiar os discursos dos sujeitos como fonte de informação. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi dirigidas com 10 jovens, com idades entre 18 e 24 anos, portadores do HIV e infectados por via sexual, acompanhados no ambulatório do Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas. Os dados foram transcritos, organizados e analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo. Resultados Para muitos jovens, no período anterior ao diagnóstico, o HIV não se mostrava como uma fonte de preocupação, devido à possibilidade de tratamento e diminuição das mortes. O uso de antirretrovirais é influenciado pelo receio de alterações corporais, sendo que a possibilidade da lipodistrofia se mostra como uma causa para o abandono do tratamento. Grupos e redes sociais online são fundamentais na busca de informações sobre o HIV e de pares na mesma situação. O conhecimento da sorologia não motiva o uso de preservativo, principalmente com parceiros sexuais esporádicos. De forma análoga, com estes parceiros, os participantes relatam não se sentirem responsabilizados por eventuais transmissões secundárias do vírus, avaliando como responsabilidade do outro o uso de preservativo. As relações afetivas são marcadas pelo receio da transmissão do vírus e da revelação diagnóstica aos parceiros, de forma que muitos preferem se relacionar com outros jovens vivendo com HIV/aids. Considerações finais - A partir dos resultados foi possível apreender que a vivência das relações afetivas e sexuais desses jovens é atravessada por questões ligadas ao preconceito e à insegurança frente à doença. No âmbito comportamental, nota-se que o conhecimento sobre as formas de prevenção não é eficaz para a mudança de atitudes e práticas sexuais, o que pode ser relacionado ao aumento de novos casos da infecção entre jovens gays nos últimos anos. É possível apontar que as campanhas preventivas pouco dialogam com as realidades dos jovens trazendo à tona a necessidade de repensar o cuidado e as políticas disponíveis para esta população. / Introduction - The population of young gay men is in particular vulnerability to HIV/AIDS infection. According to researches over the last decade, there was a statistically significant increase in HIV infection rates in gay men aged between 18 and 29 years. For those who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, the new reality is surrounded by factors such as self acceptance of sexual orientation, stigmas before the diagnosis, family and social support, beliefs about the virus and the need of re-establish relationships and behaviors. However, there are few studies that focus on the experiences of emotional and sexual experiences of young gay men after diagnosis. Objectives - It was determined as a general objective of this research to understand the implications and meanings of HIV diagnosis in sexual and affective relationships of gay youth. Method - The proposed study is based on the assumptions of qualitative research which means that the subjects discourse was the source of information. 10 young people living with HIV, aged 18 to 24, and in treatment at the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas were interviewed. Data were transcribed, organized and analyzed using content analysis. Results - For many young people, in the period before diagnosis, HIV wasn´t a source of concern because of the possibility of treatment and decreased of deaths. The use of antiretroviral drugs is influenced by fear of body changes, and the possibility of lipodystrophy is shown as a cause for non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy. Groups and online social networks are essential to find information about HIV and peer in the same situation. Knowledge of serology does not motivate the use of condoms, especially with casual sexual partners. Similarly, with these partners, participants reported not feeling responsible for any secondary transmissions of the virus, evaluating as the partner responsibility to condom use. Affective relationships are marked by the fear of virus transmission and diagnostic disclosure, making that many prefer to relate to other young people living with HIV / AIDS. Final Considerations - From the results it was possible to comprehend that the experience of emotional and sexual experiences of these young people is crossed by issues of prejudice and insecurity about the disease. In the behavioral level, we note that the knowledge of how to prevent it is not effective in changing attitudes and sexual practices, which may be related to the increase of new cases of infection among young gay men in recent years. It is possible to point out that the preventive campaigns do not dialogue with the realities of young people bringing up the need to rethink the care and policies available for this population.

Introdução - A população de jovens gays apresenta particular vulnerabilidade à infecção pelo HIV/aids. Segundo tendência observada em pesquisas, nos últimos dez anos observouse aumento estatisticamente significativo da taxa de detecção do vírus em homens gays com idades entre 18 e 29 anos. Para aqueles que recebem o diagnóstico de HIV/aids, a nova realidade se encontra envolvida por fatores como a auto aceitação da orientação sexual, estigmas anteriores ao diagnóstico, suporte familiar e social, crenças sobre o vírus e restabelecimento de vínculos e comportamentos. Contudo, são escassos estudos que foquem nas vivências das relações afetivas e sexuais de jovens gays após o diagnóstico. Objetivo - Estabeleceu-se como objetivo geral desta pesquisa compreender as implicações e significados do diagnóstico do HIV nas relações afetivo sexuais de jovens gays. Método - O estudo proposto baseia-se na pesquisa qualitativa, como forma de privilegiar os discursos dos sujeitos como fonte de informação. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi dirigidas com 10 jovens, com idades entre 18 e 24 anos, portadores do HIV e infectados por via sexual, acompanhados no ambulatório do Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas. Os dados foram transcritos, organizados e analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo. Resultados Para muitos jovens, no período anterior ao diagnóstico, o HIV não se mostrava como uma fonte de preocupação, devido à possibilidade de tratamento e diminuição das mortes. O uso de antirretrovirais é influenciado pelo receio de alterações corporais, sendo que a possibilidade da lipodistrofia se mostra como uma causa para o abandono do tratamento. Grupos e redes sociais online são fundamentais na busca de informações sobre o HIV e de pares na mesma situação. O conhecimento da sorologia não motiva o uso de preservativo, principalmente com parceiros sexuais esporádicos. De forma análoga, com estes parceiros, os participantes relatam não se sentirem responsabilizados por eventuais transmissões secundárias do vírus, avaliando como responsabilidade do outro o uso de preservativo. As relações afetivas são marcadas pelo receio da transmissão do vírus e da revelação diagnóstica aos parceiros, de forma que muitos preferem se relacionar com outros jovens vivendo com HIV/aids. Considerações finais - A partir dos resultados foi possível apreender que a vivência das relações afetivas e sexuais desses jovens é atravessada por questões ligadas ao preconceito e à insegurança frente à doença. No âmbito comportamental, nota-se que o conhecimento sobre as formas de prevenção não é eficaz para a mudança de atitudes e práticas sexuais, o que pode ser relacionado ao aumento de novos casos da infecção entre jovens gays nos últimos anos. É possível apontar que as campanhas preventivas pouco dialogam com as realidades dos jovens trazendo à tona a necessidade de repensar o cuidado e as políticas disponíveis para esta população. / Introduction - The population of young gay men is in particular vulnerability to HIV/AIDS infection. According to researches over the last decade, there was a statistically significant increase in HIV infection rates in gay men aged between 18 and 29 years. For those who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, the new reality is surrounded by factors such as self acceptance of sexual orientation, stigmas before the diagnosis, family and social support, beliefs about the virus and the need of re-establish relationships and behaviors. However, there are few studies that focus on the experiences of emotional and sexual experiences of young gay men after diagnosis. Objectives - It was determined as a general objective of this research to understand the implications and meanings of HIV diagnosis in sexual and affective relationships of gay youth. Method - The proposed study is based on the assumptions of qualitative research which means that the subjects discourse was the source of information. 10 young people living with HIV, aged 18 to 24, and in treatment at the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas were interviewed. Data were transcribed, organized and analyzed using content analysis. Results - For many young people, in the period before diagnosis, HIV wasn´t a source of concern because of the possibility of treatment and decreased of deaths. The use of antiretroviral drugs is influenced by fear of body changes, and the possibility of lipodystrophy is shown as a cause for non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy. Groups and online social networks are essential to find information about HIV and peer in the same situation. Knowledge of serology does not motivate the use of condoms, especially with casual sexual partners. Similarly, with these partners, participants reported not feeling responsible for any secondary transmissions of the virus, evaluating as the partner responsibility to condom use. Affective relationships are marked by the fear of virus transmission and diagnostic disclosure, making that many prefer to relate to other young people living with HIV / AIDS. Final Considerations - From the results it was possible to comprehend that the experience of emotional and sexual experiences of these young people is crossed by issues of prejudice and insecurity about the disease. In the behavioral level, we note that the knowledge of how to prevent it is not effective in changing attitudes and sexual practices, which may be related to the increase of new cases of infection among young gay men in recent years. It is possible to point out that the preventive campaigns do not dialogue with the realities of young people bringing up the need to rethink the care and policies available for this population.

Theatre for social change is a term used to describe a wide range of theatre-based techniques and methods. Through implementation of performance techniques, participants are encouraged to creatively explore and communicate various ideas with the specific intention of eliciting a societal or political shift within a given community. Through this thesis, I will explore the impact of applying theatre for social change in a youth-centered environment. I will discuss my journey as creator, facilitator, and project director of interACTionZ, a queer youth theatre program in Orlando, FL formed through a partnership between Theatre UCF at the University of Central Florida and the Zebra Coalition®. I will give specific focus throughout this project to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) youth and straight advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.

Thesis (MEd )--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During no other time in history have sexual minority individuals been the recipients of so much attention, scrutiny and unprecedented acceptance and inclusion into mainstream culture. However, despite advances and society's ever increasing tolerance toward sexual minorities, many individuals with alternative sexual orientations remain fearful of disclosing their sexuality. Consequently, adolescents often hide their alternative sexual orientation from others or disclose to only a select few. Adolescents with alternative sexual orientations face unique challenges, such as the coming out process, during which they must recognise, explore, define and disclose their orientation in a way that heterosexual individuals need not. Disclosure of an alternative sexual orientation is a struggle for most lesbian, gay and bisexual youth due to fears of discrimination, ostracism and violence from others. Despite a growing body of scientific literature on homosexuality in general, little is known about the disclosure process and its impact on an adolescent. This study seeks to help fill the gaps by giving voice to the adolescent by exploring the experience of disclosure. Furthermore, this study seeks to provide insight and knowledge to mental health professionals to aid adolescent clients throughout the disclosure process. This study's research methodology can be described as qualitative research which is embedded within an interpretive/constructivist paradigm. Purposive sampling was used to select five male and five female research participants. The methods of data collection that were employed comprised semi-structured individual interviews and reflective notes. Furthermore, content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of this study suggest that many unique issues besides the normative challenges that lesbian and gay adolescents share with heterosexual adolescents characterise their development. This research study suggests that there are several milestones that are characteristic of lesbian and gay identity development, the negotiation of which may hinder development in other areas. The male and female participants described a similar trajectory to coming out, consistently identifying a feeling of being different during early childhood which resolved into an awareness of same-sex attraction that concluded in their self-labelling as gay or lesbian. The findings of this study suggest that the process of disclosure is continuous and emergent. The reactions of parents ranged from extreme outrage and expulsion from the home to support and acceptance of the fact that their child had disclosed his/her homosexual orientation. From the findings of this study it would appear that the participants' parents were initially ill prepared and unable to support their child during his/her disclosure. The participants voiced various strategies to support an adolescent in the position of disclosing to family. There are several implications of this study's findings for mental health professionals working with lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents and youth. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die aandag, noukeurige betragting, aanvaarding en ongekende insluiting binne die hoofstroom van die kultuur wat tans deur seksuele minderheidsgroepe ervaar word, is ongekend in die geskiedenis. Ten spyte van vooruitgang en die toenemende verdraagsaamheid teenoor die seksuele minderheid in die samelewing, vrees diegene wat 'n alternatiewe seksuele oriëntasie toon steeds om hulself bloot te stel. Gevolglik hou adolessente dikwels hul alternatiewe seksuele oriëntasie geheim of onthul hulle dit slegs aan 'n uitgesoekte paar persone. Adolessente met 'n alternatiewe seksuele oriëntasie kom op 'n wyse wat nie vir heteroseksuele individue nodig is nie, voor unieke uitdagings soos die openbaarmaking van hul oriëntasie te staan wanneer hulle dit moet erken, verken, definieër en aan die moet lig bring. Die erkenning van 'n alternatiewe seksuele oriëntasie plaas die meeste lesbiese, gay en biseksuele jeugdiges voor 'n stryd vanweë die vrees vir diskriminasie, verstoting en geweld deur andere. Ten spyte van die algemene toenemende hoeveelheid wetenskaplike literatuur oor homoseksualiteit, is daar weinig kennis van die verklaringsproses en die impak daarvan op 'n adolessent. Hierdie studie poog om die ervaring van verklaring te ondersoek om die adolessent se stem te laat hoor en sodoende die kennisgaping te oorbrug. Verder poog die studie ook om insig en kennis aan professionele persone binne die gebied van die geestesgesondheid te bied, om hulle in staat te stel om adolessente kliënte met die verklaringsproses by te staan. Die navorsingsmetodologie wat vir die studie gebruik is, kan as kwalitatiewe navorsing binne 'n interpretiewe/konstruktiwistiese paradigma beskou word. Doelgerigte toetsing is ingespan om vyf manlike en vyf vroulike deelnemers vir die navorsingspoging te werf. Data is met behulp van semigestruktureerde onderhoude en reflektiewe notas ingesamel. Verder is inhoudsanalise gebruik om die data te ontleed. Die bevindings van die studie dui daarop dat die ontwikkeling van gay en lesbiese adolessente benewens die normatiewe uitdagings wat deur hulle sowel as heteroseksuele adolessente aangespreek moet word, ook deur unieke kwessies gekenmerk word. Hierdie navorsingstudie suggereer dat verskeie mylpale kenmerkend is van die ontwikkeling van lesbiese en gay identiteit en dat die bewerkstelliging daarvan ontwikkeling in ander areas kan stuit. Die manlike en vroulike deelnemers aan die studie het langs soortgelyke bane tot die verklaring van hul oriëntasie gekom en het die gewaarwording dat hulle tydens hul vroeë jeug reeds 'n gevoel dat hulle anders was konsekwent geïdentifiseer. Hierdie gevoel het tot 'n bewustheid van die aantrekking van dieselfde geslag ontwikkel en tot self-etikettering as gay of lesbies gelei. Die bevindings van die studie stel voor dat die verklaringsproses voortdurend en opdoemend van aard is. Die reaksies van ouers wissel vanaf uiterste verontwaardiging en verdrywing vanuit die tuiste tot ondersteuning en aanvaarding van die wete dat hul kind sy/haar homoseksuele oriëntasie verklaar het. Die bevindings laat blyk ook dat die ouers van die deelnemers aanvanklik gebrekkig voorbereid was en nie in staat was om hul kind tydens die verklaring te ondersteun nie. Die deelnemers het verskeie strategieë voorgestel vir die ondersteuning van 'n adolessent wat hom/haar op die punt van hierdie verklaring aan die gesin bevind. Die studie se bevindings het ook verskeie implikasies vir professionele persone wat binne die gebied van die geestesgesondheid met lesbiese, homoseksuele en biseksuele adolessente en jeugdiges te doen het.

Cette recherche tente de comprendre le rôle de la culture des nouveaux médias (Jenkins, 2006a) dans le processus d'affirmation qui mène au dévoilement de l'orientation sexuelle (aussi nommé « sortie du placard ») des jeunes gais, population souvent perçue en tant que vulnérable. Pour ce faire, une approche interprétative a été choisie ainsi qu'une méthode d'entrevues rétrospectives semi-structurées et axées sur la participation des jeunes gais en ligne, telle qu'abordée par Ito et al. (2010). Suite aux deux entrevues avec chacun des cinq participants, il semble que leur engagement en ligne soit influencé par leurs contextes hors ligne. Les résultats montrent le rôle des nouveaux médias dans la construction identitaire et la sortie du placard des participants, notamment via l'exploration des relations affectives, la création et la gestion de profils et leurs réflexions sur la culture néomédiatique et sur « être gai ». Toutefois, le cœur de la discussion est centré sur le processus de ce que j'appelle l'accueil de la différence. J'aborde et je discute alors des concepts tels que la différence (Hall, 1997)et la normativité sociale (Butler, 1990; Duggan, 2002). / This research attempts to understand how does new media participate in gay youth's - often perceived as a vulnerable population - self assertion and coming out processes (Jenkins , 2006a). An interpretive approach was chosen as well a method of semi-structured retrospective interviews which focused on their online participation, as discussed by Ito et al. (2010 ) . After two interviews with each one of the five participants, it seems that their online engagement cannot be separated from their offline contexts. The results give account of the role that new media plays in the participant's identity construction and coming out processes, including the exploration of emotional relationships, online profiles management and reflection upon new media culture and "being gay ." However, the heart of the discussion revolves around the process of what I call the welcome of the differences. It is essential to further discuss difference (Hall, 1997) and social normativity (Butler , 1990; Duggan, 2002).