<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>

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

<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>

<p> Schools present unique opportunities to foster and improve belonging for all students. Meaningful inclusion requires visible and equal representation as well as safe environments (Cerezo and Bergfield, 2013; Sadowski, 2016). Students who may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) deserve equal attention in educational models which seek to be inclusive and acknowledge diverse student populations in schools. Key studies from the United States indicate there is much to be done, suggesting LBGTQ students often do not feel safe or visible in schools (Kosciw, Greytak, Giga, Villenas &amp; Danischewski, 2016). School-based resources, however, such as student-led clubs known as Gay-Straight Alliances, are helping to address the needs of LGBTQ students. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of a group of LGBTQ students who attend an international school in Asia and who are all regular members of a Gay-Straight Alliance. It aimed to gain a better understanding of their school experience in terms of support systems and structures through the unique lens of an international school. A qualitative research design was implemented through the use of semi-structured interviews with four participants, who voluntarily took part in the study. Seven themes emerged from the study, (1) formal support systems are perceived to be secondary to peer support, (2) less formal support services such as friends and peers carry a higher level of trust, (3) the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is the primary, most visible, safe space, (4) outreach beyond the GSA is limited, (5) existing barriers prohibit inclusive practices for LGBTQ students, (6) LGBTQ educational programs would help raise awareness, and (7) There is a need to create and implement school policies, which are more inclusive and will better protect LGBTQ students at the school. Implications of this study entail specialized training for counselors, outreach beyond the confines of the GSA, inclusive policies and targeted LGBTQ educational programs.</p><p>

abstract: Here I explore three varieties of theatrical responses to the cultural amnesia brought about by what scholars have termed “post-AIDS” rhetoric. Specifically, I examine how AIDS history plays, AIDS comedies, and solo plays provide opportunities for theatregoers to participate in, or reflect on the absence of, what I call “AIDS mourning publics.” I understand these publics to be both the groupings of people that gather around a text, film screening, play performance, or event that was created in response to loss due to AIDS, and the text, screenplay, or play text itself when circulated. In these publics participants work through their grief, make political interventions, and negotiate the meanings of AIDS history for gay men whose sexual awakening occurred before and after the development of protease inhibitors. I join theories of grieving, affect in performance, and the public sphere to study these communal events. I use films, plays, and critical reviews to identify how mourning through performance can be therapeutic for cultural and social actors despite activists' and scholars' sole attention to the counterpublicity of these events. Still, counterpublicity remains an important concern because many in the dominant US public sphere consider AIDS to be a benign “manageable condition” in affluent countries like the US. As such, I also present a dramaturgy of mourning and counterpublicity in twenty-first century US AIDS drama and solo performance with attention focused upon how dramatists and solo performers are inviting spectators to engage with, and find new meaning within, this epidemic. For example, I investigate how pairing mourning with genres like comedy produces political interventions within the space between laughing and astonishment. My dramaturgy of mourning also examines recurring themes such as ghosts, the past, intergenerationalism, and AIDS amnesia to interpret how performers have framed individual and collective loss to challenge spectators' understanding of AIDS history. To support my claims I use sources from the New York Public Library Manuscripts and Archives Division, gay and lesbian community newspapers, personal interviews, and my own experiences as a spectator viewing productions of The Normal Heart, thirtynothing, and The VOID. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Theatre 2015