Despite legal and policy advancements in South Africa, prejudice, discrimination and victimisation are still a reality for many lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the country. The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) has embarked on a process to develop lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) affirmative practice guidelines for psychology professionals, when working with these client populations. As a part of the larger objective, this research study highlights LGB people’s experiences of psychotherapy and counselling in South Africa as possible inputs for the mentioned practice guidelines. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with selected participants. The results indicate that some aspects of LGB people’s experiences are similar to those of anyone in psychotherapy or counselling, but also that there are distinct differences. Negative experiences were almost exclusively due to the counsellor being disaffirming of the client's sexual orientation. Self-acceptance and the development of alternative perspectives of sexuality were more prominent outcomes of counselling compared to studies among broader populations. The participants’ feedback on a list of affirmative statements provides a potential basis for future affirmative practice guidelines. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Sexual encounters among gay men produce distinct meanings when methamphetamine is involved. Few studies have inquired about the meanings gay men ascribe to their meth and sex encounters. We have yet to ask, what meanings do these experiences hold and how are they constructed? Using qualitative data gathered from one-on-one semi-structured interviews with eleven men, at least 18 years of age and who report using meth during sex with another man in the past 90 days, this study explored the meanings constructed from the participants’ meth-sex experiences. The analysis revealed several important themes helping to explain why these men use meth and have sex with other men including belonging; being in, searching for and falling out of love; having sex for 12 hours; dealing with HIV; and, confronting addiction. The findings impart a meaningful role for belonging, love, sex and disease as socially constructed through the intersection of the body, mind, social interaction and the environment in which lived experiences unfold. Previous research supports several of these themes while at least one theme, i.e. love, extends our understanding of meth and sex among gay men. I assert belonging binds the themes together. The desire to belong came across more powerful and determining in its meaningfulness than the risks associated with sexual encounters where meth is present.

The purpose of this study was to examine the hypotheses that the external factors of family environment, gender, and clinical status and the internal factors of self-esteem and impression management would have either a positive influence or a negative influence on individuals' congruence between their sexual attitudes and their sexual behavior. The hypotheses that the external and internal factors would be significant predictors of congruence between sexual attitudes and behavior were not supported by regression analyses. Clinical status and impression management were significant predictors of congruence but in the opposite direction than hypothesized. When age was factored out of the regression equation, clinical status was no longer a significant predictor of congruence. However, impression management remained a significant predictor of congruence.

Wong, Ching Wa Alana. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-128). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Objectives --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Who are fashionable Hong Kong young men? --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Significance and Setting --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Literature Review --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Changing masculinity in postindustrial society --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Beauty used to be associated with women --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Beauty has become part of masculinity --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Hong Kong's changing masculinity --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3 --- Methodology --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Media survey --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- In-depth interviews --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4 --- Structure of the thesis --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Changing Perception of Masculinity in Hong Kong: Dominant and Alternative --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2 --- Meanings of Chinese masculinity --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3 --- Dominant perception of masculinity in Hong Kong --- p.26 / Chapter 2.4 --- Beauty becomes part of masculinity in Hong Kong --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Male beauty contest on television --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Hong Kong men's opinions on men's beauty --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- Appearance is important for men --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Concern for appearance cannot be publicly admitted --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusion: Caring for beauty is becoming part of masculinity --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Men's beauty in magazines in Hong Kong --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2 --- Magazines in Hong Kong --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Youth and gossip magazines --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Japanese male fashion magazines --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Men's lifestyle magazines --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3 --- Men's images in these three types of magazines --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Over- emphasis of Japaneseness: Youth and gossip magazines --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Authentic Japanese style?: Japanese male fashion magazines --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- High class men: Men's lifestyle magazines --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4 --- Men's images in magazines in Hong Kong: wen or wu? --- p.59 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion: Beauty has become increasingly important for men in Hong Kong --- p.62 / Chapter Chapter Four: --- "Relationship between ""Japan"" and men's beauty in Hong Kong" --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2 --- "The meaning and common beliefs about ""Japan"" in Hong Kong" --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Japan as work: Hair stylists and fashion designers --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.1.1 --- Hair stylist assistants --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.1.2 --- Fashion designers --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- """Japan"" as leading fashion trends" --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- "To be ""cool"" means to learn from Japan" --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Japan is the best --- p.77 / Chapter 4.3 --- "The influence of ""Japan"" on men's beauty" --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Awareness of Japan --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Hong Kong men who deliberately choose Japanized beauty practices --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.1.1.1 --- Hong Kong men who have long term experiences in Japan --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.1.1.2 --- Band members --- p.82 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- """Japan"" offers an alternative" --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Taken-for-Granted Japanese Influences --- p.84 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- The daily beauty practices: Japanese influences are invisible --- p.84 / Chapter 4.3.2.1.1 --- "No ""Japanese"" hair style" --- p.85 / Chapter 4.3.2.1.2 --- "No ""Japanese"" clothing styles" --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- """Japan"" mixes with Hong Kong" --- p.88 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Special cases --- p.90 / Chapter 4.4 --- Abandonment of Japanized beauty practices --- p.92 / Chapter 4.5 --- "Conclusion: ""Japan"" represents a temporarily attractive life for men" --- p.93 / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Negotiation with Women: Fashionable Hong Kong Young Men's Beauty Ideals --- p.95 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2 --- "Women's ""gaze"" in the male beauty contest" --- p.96 / Chapter 5.3 --- The use of women in encouraging men's beauty in Hong Kong magazines --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4 --- Hong Kong men's masculinity: we listen and obey women's orders --- p.104 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion: Fashionable Hong Kong young men's beauty practices are influenced by women --- p.109 / Chapter Chapter Six: --- Conclusion --- p.111 / Chapter 6.1 --- Conclusion --- p.111 / Chapter 6.2 --- A Review: Men's beauty as an alternative masculinity in Hong Kong --- p.111 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Hong Kong men need to care about appearance --- p.112 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- "Japanized beauty practices can make men look ""cool"" and trendy" --- p.114 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Men listen and obey women's orders on beauty practices --- p.116 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- "After all, career achievement and earning ability are more important" --- p.118 / Chapter 6.3 --- Conclusion: Limitations and self reflections --- p.120 / References --- p.123

This thesis examines the ways that African Americans in the mid-twentieth century thought about and practiced masculinity. Important contemporary events such as the struggle for civil rights and the Vietnam War influenced the ways that black Americans sought not only to construct masculine identities, but to use these identities to achieve a higher social purpose. The thesis argues that while mainstream American society had specific prescriptions for how men should behave, black Americans were able to select which of these prescriptions they valued and wanted to pursue while simultaneously rejecting those that they found untenable. Masculinity in the mid-century was not based on one thing, but rather was an amalgamation of different ideals that black men (and women) sought to utilize to achieve communal goals of equality, opportunity, and family.