Through a series of in-depth qualitative interviews and a discourse analysis of academic publications this study explores the definition of indie video games, relationships between queer players and indie video games that they play, and ways in which queer players relate to games in general. The comparison of definitions between academic publications and player interviews shows that “indie” is a vague term that is too broad to define, either relying upon modes of production or becoming impossibly narrow in attempts to describe indie game trends. Instead, a more productive point of discussion seems to be located around affect typical for genres and categories of games, with modes of production being an important but not defining part of the conversation. / Media Studies & Production

This study explores how knowledge and reality is constructed within an online fandom’s communication, with a focus on LGBTQ+ discourse within Taylor Swift’s fans on Reddit. This is done through a qualitative digital ethnographic method and uses LGBTQ+ symbols and parasocial relationships as tools to analyse 75 posts and 850 comments total. The theoretical framework mainly consists of Berger and Luckmann’s (1966) theory on the social construction of reality and Couldry and Hepp’s (2017) reinterpretation of their work that considers the effects of digitalization and how our construction of reality has changed with it. The analysis showed that the group uses symbols to build a shared collection of facts and continuously follows an us-versus-them narrative to construct their community. Their foundational belief that Swift herself is secretly queer is not to be too closely questioned within the group and they often use the version of Swift that outsiders have built up to discuss hypothetical what-ifs. To participate in the community and be seen as “logical” it appears to require that you to some extent correctly consume the media in a way that aligns with pre- existing facts that the group shares. Meaning that the group has unspoken rules that dictate the knowledge hierarchies within it.

The purpose of this study was to examine the intersection of preservice teachers' personal identities as queer individuals with their emerging professional identities as educators. Political and social environments contribute to a separation of these identities, which can further the marginalization of these individuals to the detriment of both their identities as people as well as their professional practice. Guided by a theoretical framework of figured worlds, interviews with students in teacher education programs that identify as queer explore the ways in which unique confluences of contextualizing factors play a role in the lived experiences of these individuals. The study additionally examined the nature of teacher education programs as experienced by these participants in order to discuss the ways in which these programs serve to challenge or reinforce the heteronormativity pervasive in educational spaces.

This dissertation examines the contributions of Quakers, specifically from the liberal tradition of the Religious Society of Friends, to the advancement of lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights in the United States between 1946-1973. In this period, Quakers established the first social service organization for gay people in the United States, wrote the first public and positive evaluation of homosexuality from a religious perspective, and composed the first public statement in support of bisexuality from a religious assembly. A critical study of Quaker pamphlets, periodicals, lectures, business minutes, and personal papers from this era reveals that Quaker support of gay liberation was exercised through experiments in criminal justice reform, challenges to Christian moral codes, and advocacy for change within the Religious Society of Friends. The findings presented in this project seek to broaden our understanding of gay rights history by showing that Quakers played a pivotal role in the emergence and development of the gay rights movement in the United States. / Religion

Intimate partner violence (IPV) involves aggressive or abusive behaviour that harms or intimidates a current or former romantic partner. Although sexual and gender diverse (2S/LGBTQIA+) people may disproportionately experience IPV, their experiences are not well documented in the Canadian context. This multi-methods qualitative study documents 2S/LGBTQIA+ survivors’ experiences with IPV and access to related services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic via in-depth interviews with survivors and service providers. Survivors experienced multiple, concurrent forms of abuse that contributed to poor mental health outcomes, both of which were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Survivors had difficulty recognizing themselves as victims and were unaware of services. Services are insufficiently funded and unable to meet the needs of their communities. Gender-based violence organizations want to serve transgender women and transfeminine people but second-wave feminist frameworks in policy and funding mechanisms are a barrier to expanding services. Service providers need predictable, annualized funding, must improve outreach, and shift to an intersectional feminist framework that includes 2S/LGBTQIA+ people. Comprehensive sexual health education and regular IPV screenings by mental health professionals are crucial for IPV prevention.

When Taiwan’s Civil Code of Marriage banned same-sex marriage, it contradicted the nation’s constitutional freedom and equality clauses. In order to implement the Right to Marry and Freedom of Marriage amendments, Taiwanese LGBTQ activists took legal action to change this inequality within the marital status. This thesis analyses how Taiwan came to legalise same-sex marriage through litigation and legal reform. By examining the legal grounds, motivation and strategies that went into implementing the same-sex marriage law in Taiwan, the analysis follows the stages of legal reform and evaluates the legal consequences based on the legal theory. Also, the theories of Nussbaum and Pierson allow for viewing the issue from both legal and philosophical theoretical aspects. Finally, after examining the Act for Implementation of J.Y Interpretation No. 748, this thesis aims to show the full picture of the establishment of the same-sex marriage law in Taiwan and how the result of implementing same-sex marriage laws benefits both the LGBTQ community and Taiwanese society. The conclusion addresses some challenges and future hopes for Taiwan, as it is the first nation to have legalised same-sex marriage in Asia.

Background: Scientific studies often point towards poor treatment directed at people who include themselves as LGBTQ+ in their contact with healthcare. Patients are treated based on heteronormative views that reproduces gender as binary and stereotypical, where understanding of alternative gender affiliations and sexuality is limited. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate healthcare counsellors experiences of a welcoming, respectful and professional treatment in the contact with healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals. Method: Empirical material has been collected through six semi-structured interviews with healthcare counsellors. Results: The results indicate challenges for healthcare professionals regarding the perceived heteronormative views that characterizes the healthcare system. Healthcare counsellors describe a great importance in their efforts to create an inclusive approach in the meeting with the patients, but that there are general shortcomings in healthcare that could derive from the lack of knowledge about LGBTQ+ needs and lack of norm-critical openness.

Attitudes and beliefs influence how counselors practice. This study explored four psychosocial factors and their correlation to the attitudes of graduate counseling students' (N = 28) toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. The four main psychosocial factors that were identified in previous research include knowledge level, religiosity, political affiliation, and previous experience with LGBTQ individuals. The hypothesis of this study was there are relationships between attitudes toward LGBTQ individuals and the aforementioned psychosocial factors. Students were invited to participate through emails sent by the Director of the Counseling Education program. The survey used to collect data included a demographics questionnaire and three scales. The findings did not show any significant correlations between knowledge level, religiosity, and political affiliation and attitudes. Personal relationships and attitudes could not be tested due to limitations of the study. These findings were not congruent with previous research.

The intent of this thesis is to investigate the influence of 1980's and 1990's lesbian playwrights on modern queer representation in theatre. By analyzing the successful works of troupes and artists born out of the Women's One World (WOW) Café, it became apparent that the greatest changes in lesbian portrayal on stage came from queer and feminist authorship. Additionally, WOW Café became the common denominator in the success of many lesbian playwrights due to the freedom it gave its writers and performers. As an independent theatre, WOW allowed its members to experiment with few rules, and offered a stage to pieces too experimental, feminist, or queer to see commercial Broadway success. Thesis discussion includes analysis of historically homophobic theatre, the techniques and topics conveyed in the work of The Five Lesbian Brothers and Split Britches, and the importance of WOW as a stepping stone for the success of plays like Lisa Kron's Well. Lesbian-centric work is often left out of theatre history in classrooms even today, and by diving deeper into the important history of queer women in drama, the intent of this thesis is to add to the academia in a way that helps future lesbian artists, performers, and students recognize themselves in the narrative.

The intent of this thesis is to explore the role religion has played in the Puerto Rican society. Growing up in this culture entails a deep and implicit connection with the religious world. Religious values, beliefs, and attitudes are firmly entrenched and amplified through the family, culture, and schools. Because it is so deeply entrenched, it is difficult to find a place to leverage a critique of its impact. Thus, in order to understand the societal matters and challenges the island faces, an in-depth study that explores the beliefs, attitudes, and behavior of Puerto Ricans is necessary.