Bridging Privacy, Face, and Heteronormativity: Stories of Coming Out

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the performativity and subversion of privacy and face in sexual minorities’ recollections of interpersonal interactions related to coming out. Drawing upon communication privacy management theory and performative face theory as conceptual foundations for this piece, the current analysis demonstrates how dominant discourses of heteronormativity undergird queer individuals’ privacy management and face negotiations as they (sometimes repeatedly) come out to others. Three overarching themes were identified from participant-generated narratives of coming out followed up with one-on-one interviews: (a) queer privacy management; (b) heteronormative face threats, including sub-themes of denials of queer disclosures, blatant face threats, and microaggressive face threats; and (c) downplaying as subversive facework. This study contributes to the emerging critical interpersonal and family communication conversation by demonstrating how heteronormativity undergirds negotiations of privacy and face, as well as the mutual influences between privacy and face. The essay ends by showcasing queer pride and growth, despite the pain associated with coming out.