<p> This study explored the lexical semantics of common same-sex sexuality labels (i.e., homosexual, gay, gay man, lesbian, and no label) by presenting 395 participants with a short story about a fictitious person. The goal was to determine what effects these labels (as well as their social status) would have on participants&rsquo; willingness to interact socially with and participants&rsquo; support for their civil rights. Age, gender, religious affiliation, and contact with sexual minorities were assessed for each participant, and participants were also asked to rate the likely gender of the fictitious person. Results revealed that neither social status nor sexuality label had an influence on participants&rsquo; support for civil rights; however, participants were more willing to interact with the fictitious person when they were of higher status. Additionally, willingness to interact was also influenced by label: male participants were more willing to interact with the fictitious person who identified as a gay man or as a lesbian than the fictitious person who identified as homosexual or as gay, but labels did not have a significant influence on female participants&rsquo; willingness to interact. Contact with sexual minorities and not affiliating with a particular religion were associated with more willingness to interact with the fictitious person and higher support for their civil rights. Discussion suggests that same-sex sexuality labels may have various meaning components associated with them that influence individuals&rsquo; opinions of LGB individuals. The gendered terms gay man and lesbian had more positive valence associated with them (when compared to homosexual and gay) as demonstrated by male participants&rsquo; reactions. The term homosexual was found to be the most gender neutral option and gay appeared to be more associated with the male gender.</p>

<p> Building off of previous research, the study undertook to design a taxonomic classification: defining, codifying, and validating microaggressions experienced by sexual minorities. The resultant classification is intended to serve as a conceptual framework if utilized to effectuate an assessment tool assessing microaggressions against sexual minorities. Initial points of interest included an overview of complex historical shifts increasingly traversing the present zeitgeist, and additionally, theoretical justifications for the chosen methodological approach and subsequent suppositions. This served two purposes; the first availed the reader with a contextual narrative to help facilitate a conceptual overview of the target group(s), and additionally, orient readers to the theoretical underpinnings of this study, preserving the integrity and trustworthiness of the present research. Second, variegated extant research was reviewed and elucidated to explore and explain the covert and insidious phenomenon. Concurrently, research related to racial microaggressions was included due to the abundant and judicious literature, furthering one&rsquo;s conceptualization of microaggressions as well as fortifying external validation among relevant sexual minority categories. </p><p> Heterogeneous literature and the deconstruction of sexual minority microaggressions were examined, interpreted, and presented. Attention to operational definitions&mdash;consistent or otherwise, implicit forms of communication, and sociocultural relationships and interactions, including any purported causal and risk factors were investigated. This study identified categorical constructs related to sexual minority microaggressions, tools for design of an assessment measure, and a methodological approach, served to validate and substantiate a future proposed measurement using additional studies were discussed and recommended.</p>

Thesis advisor: Lisa A. Goodman / Intimate partner violence (IPV) and its substantial consequences remain widespread for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) individuals (Balsam, Rothblum, & Beauchaine, 2005; Walters, Chen, & Breidig, 2013). LGBTQ IPV survivors are particularly vulnerable to identity abuse: tactics leveraging heterosexism and cissexism (FORGE, 2014; NCDSV, 2014). Past research has documented the existence of LGBTQ-specific identity abuse as a unique dimension of victimization (Balsam & Szymanski, 2005; FORGE, 2014; NCDSV, 2014), with limited attention to those at greatest risk despite the diversity of the LGBTQ community. Participants who identified as LGBTQ (n = 734; 53% cisgender women; 39% queer or pansexual; 84% White; Mage = 33.48) completed surveys that assessed their exposure to identity abuse (7-items; α = .79), physical and sexual abuse (20-items; α= .89) and psychological abuse (14-items; α = .87), and other demographics. The data were analyzed to determine 1) whether there were demographic differences in exposure to identity abuse, 2) whether identity abuse contributed to variance in PTSD or depression scores; and, 3) whether the relationships between identity abuse and PTSD and depression scores were moderated by affirmative LGBTQ identity. Findings indicated that there were significant differences in identity abuse exposure by gender and sexual orientation. With regard to gender, ANOVA analyses revealed transgender or nonbinary-identified individuals reported higher rates of past year identity abuse exposure than cisgender males and cisgender females. Also, cisgender females were most likely to report adult exposure to identity abuse compared to transgender or nonbinary-identified individuals and cisgender males. Queer-identified individuals were most likely to report adult exposure to identity abuse compared to lesbian, bisexual, and gay-identified individuals. Identity abuse contributed to the variance in symptoms of PTSD and depression. This relationship remained significant even after accounting for exposure to other forms of violence (e.g., psychological abuse and physical abuse). Further, an affirmative LGBTQ identity indeed weakened the relationship between exposure to past year and adult identity abuse, respectively, and depressive symptoms. However, there was no moderating effect found for symptoms of PTSD. These results add to existing IPV literature by identifying particular subgroups within the LGBTQ community who are at greater risk of identity abuse exposure within intimate partner relationships, suggesting that exposure to identity abuse contributes to poorer mental health outcomes, and indicating that affirmative LGBTQ identity is a protective factor that could be utilized in intervention and prevention efforts. As a whole, these results highlight the need for increased awareness of identity abuse within the LGBTQ community, as well as routine and comprehensive assessment for identity abuse exposure by service providers. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology.

abstract: The college years are crucial to formation and integration of lifelong psychosocial, personal and cognitive identities, and the identity development needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+ or gender and/or sexual minority) students are unique, particularly in the context of student development and support. How universities meet these needs can critically impact success and retention of these students. However, studies indicate when the academic and co-curricular environment does not foster development of healthy LGBTQ+ identities, these students experience myriad challenges compounded by identity discord and minority stress. Cumulatively, these factors contribute to non-persistence of over 30% of LGBTQ+ university students. This research study examines the ways positive LGBTQ+ identity development, cultural capital accrual and community engagement through a structured mentoring program fosters resilience and buffers the experience of minority stress and associated negative outcomes for these students. In doing so, the study addresses the following research questions: what does the process of LGBTQ+ identity construction look like for gender- and sexual-minority students, including students from non-dominant cultural backgrounds for whom LGBTQ+ identity is one of multiple competing identities, and how does mentorship affect the perceived identities of these students? How does participation in an LGBTQ+ mentoring program affect participants’ perceptions of development of resilience-building capacity? / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 2019

After an extensive literature review, results indicated research has been conducted examining the links between traditional bullying and suicide, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning (LGBTQ) identification and cyberbullying, as well as LGBTQ identification and suicide. However, it appears as though there is a dearth of studies examining the link between young adults identifying as LGBTQ who have experienced cyberbullying and the subsequent suicidal behaviors. The following research study attempts to answer the question of whether cyberbullying mediates the relationship between cyberbullying and suicidal behaviors. / School of Education / School Psychology / PhD / Dissertation

<p> The categorization and stereotyping of <i>fatherhood</i> and <i> motherhood</i> have created a rigid binary social consciousness of gender-based expectations on parenting. These expectations, stemming from hetero/cisnormativity, leave little room for deviation. This dissertation challenges these expectations by examining the experiences of transgender parents as a means to expand the discourse around motherhood, fatherhood, and family.</p><p> The principal research question for this inquiry was, What do the narratives of transgender parents tell us about our understanding of motherhood, fatherhood, and family? To answer this question, this author recruited transgender individuals who also identify as a parent. The selection criteria included self-identification as either transgender or genderqueer and active involvement in parenting one or more children. Purposive sampling was utilized to identify the 5 participants for this study. Using narrative methodology, their stories were gathered and retold, gaining insight into their lived experiences as transgender parents. </p><p> Findings indicate that transgender parents challenge hetero/cisnormativity by redefining motherhood and fatherhood, creating a more fluid and inclusive definition of parent that is grounded in unconditional love and support and devoid of gender roles and stereotypes. Further findings demonstrate that transgender parents redefine family, including in their family circles individuals that offer support, unconditional love, and trust regardless of blood relation. </p>

<p> Using an ecological perspective, this dissertation examined experiences of homonegativity in different settings and its influence on internalized homonegativity. It also examined whether there were significant paths between internalized homonegativity and experiences of homonegativity and self-efficacy to practice safe sex. In addition, it examined paths between self-efficacy to practice safe sex and internalized homonegativity and unprotected anal intercourse at 3 month and last sexual encounters. Men who have sex with men (N = 136) completed an on-line survey designed to address these questions. A measure of experiences of homonegativity was adapted to include four specific settings: church, family, neighborhood, and friends. Participants reported experiences of homonegativity highest from church and the lowest from friends. Experiences of homonegativity from family, friends, and neighborhood were all significantly positively associated with internalized homonegativity. Results indicated significant paths between internalized homonegativity and experiences of homonegativity in different settings (i.e., friends, family, and neighborhood) and self-efficacy to practice safe sex. Significant paths between self-efficacy to practice safe sex and internalized homonegativity and unprotected anal intercourse at last sexual encounter and within the last three months were also found. Implications for future research and clinicians working with individuals who experience homonegativity are discussed. </p>

<p> This thesis examines the seven song and/or choral settings of Sappho&rsquo;s poetry by contemporary women composers Carol Barnett, Sheila Silver, Elizabeth Vercoe, Liza Lim, Augusta Read Thomas, Mary Ellen Childs, and Patricia Van Ness. Each composer has set Sappho&rsquo;s poems in her own creative and artistic interpretation through diverse modern musical styles, giving the Greek poetess a modern, gendered female voice. This paper presents connections between the poetry chosen, its themes and interpretations, as well as the expressive musical devices employed. The various methodological approaches include historical and textual criticism, sociomusicology, and gender and sexual studies. The setting of Sappho&rsquo;s poetry and the commonalities of the poetic themes set to music help us understand how modern women view Sappho&rsquo;s image, hear, and give voice to the poetess of the ancient world. </p>

<p> This study explored how bisexual individuals used media and other frames of reference to understand their own sexuality. It also sought to understand how bisexual individuals felt about the representation in the media and if they had a preferred image in mind. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six individuals recruited from universities and LGBT-oriented groups and their answers were analyzed through social cognitive theory and sexual identity development models. The study found that, for the participants interviewed, media examples of bisexuality and bisexual individuals were not completely accepted and other representations were preferred. For this sample, an educational setting played an important role in acquiring the language used to describe their sexuality. Also, the participants mostly agreed that the media did not often portray bisexuality in ways that resonated with them.</p>

<p> <i>The Ugly Duckling</i>, a musical fable produced, directed and designed by Jennifer Richardson, layered a contemporary journey of emerging realization of sexual identity over a traditional fairy tale journey of self-discovery, utilizing the unique story-telling of the theatre art form without changing the underlying narrative of the fable. The staging created a visual story that was easily trackable. The director achieved this by focusing on relationships, by highlighting the ugly duckling&rsquo;s difference through behavior and design elements, and by clarifying obstacles through action. If one can gauge effectiveness by audience response, the medium of the fairy tale seemed to be an effective one for reaching a spectrum of audience members - young to old, and from different socio-economic backgrounds. And finally, the process provided a transformative experience for the cast by encouraging meaningful and personal discussions about a range of &ldquo;ugly duckling&rdquo; issues, and by exploring the sense of personal strength that comes with being in one&rsquo;s truth while playing action as a character on stage.</p><p>