Gay Community Research Articles

The future of Same-sex marriage in India – An analysis with other countries

A marriage is considered to be holy, whether sacrament or contract. Same-sex marriage is the practice of marriage among two men or two women. There has been both strong support and conflict on communal, political, and religious grounds for same-sex marriages. Some jurisdictions through laws either allow same-sex marriages or recognize same-sex civil unions whereas others prescribe punishments for homosexual relationships. Given the lack of globally uniform approaches, there are strong possibilities for conflict and legal contradictions. This study explores the legal status of weddings between people of the same gender in India with the primary aim of examining the judicial decisions and the contribution of the Supreme Court in landmark cases related to same-sex marriages.The Supriyo Chakraborty v. Union of India connected cases (2023) are a collection of significant cases that the Supreme Court of India heard. These cases were brought up to consider the extension of marriage and family rights to individuals belonging to sexual and gender minority groups in India, where same-sex weddings or civil unions are considered illegal. The Supreme Court's rejection to recognize same-sex marriages in this case severely affected the rights of the LGBTQ community in India.This study shall also dwell on the recent developments, particularly regarding the question of marital rights vis-a-vis the case before the judiciary and what could probably be the future course of action in India. In this study, the researcher chooses a hermeneutic research method focusing on the interpretation of statutes and analyzing same-sex marriage rights of different countries with that of India.

I know you are but who Am I? Presentation and labelling in young queer communities

Recent research shows a sharp increase in the number of queer-identified young people in the United States, along with an expansion of terms people use to describe their queer identities. Using semi-structured interview data collected from 30 queer-identified non-male 18-23-year-olds, we examine how young people today use terminology, identity, and appearance to communicate their sexual and/or gender identity. We find that the two most salient factors in how participants describe their sexual and gender identities are presentation and labelling. We then propose a distinction between one’s autonym and exonym, where an autonym is the identity label one uses to describe oneself and an exonym is the identity label others use to describe a person.

성소수자 HIV/AIDS 감염인의 일과 교회를 중심으로 한 심리 사회적 경험 내러티브 탐구

The purpose of this study was to conduct in-depth interviews to explore the psychosocial experiences of a sexual minority individual living with HIV/AIDS. For this purpose, the narrative inquiry method of Clandinin and Connelly was used and the data were analyzed with the three-dimensional narrative inquiry space. In-depth interviews with people living with HIV/AIDS and participant observation visits to churches where participants currently attend. The identities formed in society were ‘feared even in the gay communities’, ‘Multiple identities,’ ‘Sexual minorities lacking self-pride,’ and ‘Being who is not only weak’. Since the identity of infected people is continuously formed and expectations change depending on the period of infection, multidimensional support is required. Through this study, the social experiences of sexual minority HIV/AIDS infected people are revealed and an in-depth understanding is provided, which can be used as basic data for establishing support systems and policies for them.

Thailand as World LGBTQ Wedding Destination

Gradually, Thailand has emerged as a promising land of honeymoon destination for LGBTQ wedding tourism, offering a diverse range of picturesque venues favorable for same-sex couples. This research paper discusses the multifaceted appeal of Thailand by mentioning the beautiful landscapes, culturally inclusive environment, and the growing acceptance of LGBTQ rights. The paper discusses the legal environment of Thai marriage, considering the difficulties facing the LBGTQ couples and the limitations of the present times, including the non-recognition of same-sex marriages under Thai law. On the other hand, it also discusses how weddings from the LGBTQ community have gone up, reflecting changes in societal attitudes and creating Thailand as a haven for couples seeking out acceptance and celebration of their love. It also lists all popular LGBTQ wedding venues-from five-star hotels to dreamy beach resorts-and mentions what really sets them apart: catering services designed with same-sex couples in mind. Cultural elements discussed herein involve an examination of traditional Thai wedding ceremonies and the aspect of inclusivity to understand their contribution to the experiences of LGBTQ weddings. It concludes with a presentation of some effective marketing strategies and promotional activities that might include partnering with LGBTQ influencers down to well-churned advertising campaigns that might position Thailand among the top destinations globally for the performance of LGBTQ marriage ceremonies. Against this backdrop, the present study explores a sensitive area in which Thai operators are showing huge potential to attract LGBTQ grooms and brides, first in the development of wedding tourism and secondly to increase acceptance of sexual orientation diversity across the region.

The Cult of Gay Relics and Queer Medievalism in 1980s Sydney

Abstract This article explains how the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of radical queer nuns, created gay ‘religious relics’ in San Francisco and Sydney, Australia, in the 1980s. The Sisters’ relics are a neglected part of twentieth-century queer history and reflect the role of urban spaces and sexual cultures in the formation of contemporary queer identities. They also represent an early effort to preserve and commemorate queer histories. The Sisters drew on deliberately archaic medieval models to preserve pieces of destroyed sex-on-premises venues and cruising sites that were important to gay men. During the early 1980s, arson and hostile civic authorities destroyed these places and the HIV/AIDS epidemic began to threaten the gay community which patronized them. In Sydney, the Sisters also held reliquary exhibitions which commemorated and defended gay identity and dignity through the veneration of campy pieces of popular culture and the reclamation of seemingly homophobic religious discourses and concepts. The refashioning of the medieval cult of relics into a vehicle for queer identity and history speaks to the ongoing role of imagined pasts in the formation of present selves, and of the erasure of certain kinds of sexual experience from mainstream presentations of queer history.

Empowered Narratives: How BLK Magazine Used Advocacy Journalism to Represent Black LGBTQ People

ABSTRACT Despite the important role played by BLK magazine in the Black gay rights movement in the US, there is little scholarship focusing on the content of the magazine and how its pages gave voice and visibility to a marginalized population. Using archived issues of BLK, this paper conducted a qualitative content analysis of the articles published in the magazine from its inception in 1988 to its closure in 1994 to understand how the magazine used advocacy journalism to cover the Black LGBTQ community. Four themes emerged: Advocacy through representation, advocacy through critique and political intervention, advocacy through humanizing AIDS, and advocacy through analysis and interpretation. BLK acted as an advocate for the Black, gay community in various ways. Through its columns, briefs, cover stories, interviews, and news articles, BLK showed support for uplifting the community and addressing the problems it faced. More subtle support was visible in the choice of the stories that the magazine published and the voices it prioritized. The findings add to literature on the role of LGBTQ magazines in the gay rights movement in America and builds scholarship on the Black press’s coverage of gender and sexuality.

Minority Stress, Substance Use, and Resilience: Examining Long-Term Sobriety in the LGBTQ Community

ABSTRACT The cumulative stress of living with stigmatized social identities is thought to contribute to disparities in substance use outcomes. Thus, it is important to understand how LGBTQ individuals adapt to and elude poor health outcomes. The present study addressed the need for more insight into factors associated with recovery from SUDs among LGBTQ individuals. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data from in-depth interviews with 16 gender and sexual minorities in long-term recovery, with sobriety times ranging from 2 to 24 years (M = 5.68, SD = 5.27). Five major themes emerged from the participants’ narratives about factors that facilitated their paths to recovery: (a) addressing the interconnectedness of mental health, (b) seeking professional support, (c) seeking social support, (d) forming new habits and healthy coping skills, and (e) finding a sober, LGBTQ identity. The narratives convey the value of integrated and specialized mental health treatment as well as identity-affirming and recovery-facilitative spaces and relationships.

On the crossroads: Gender and career-transitioning experiences of a young transgender employee

Background: Research in gender and sexuality studies focuses on the experiences of LGBTQI communities and how they are discriminated against in societies. Research on career transitioning has focused on how employees navigate their world of work, with fewer studies focusing on career transitioning with transgender employees in the workplace.Objectives: This article aims to provide a unique perspective by delving into the career transition journey of a young transgender male-to-female employee. By exploring her experiences in the workplace, I hope to shed light on the challenges and triumphs of her journey.Method: This article presents a qualitative, phenomenological case study exploring the lived experiences of Angel (pseudonym), a young transgender employee at an educational space, as she navigates gender identity and career transition crossroads. The study employed a face-to-face semi-structured interview as a data collection method.Results: This article shows how Angel struggled to find and become herself in the workplace while navigating her gender and career transition. It demonstrates her lived experiences, the multiple faces of gender and career transitioning, and her journey of being at the workplace.Conclusion: The findings reveal significant challenges faced by transgender employees, including discrimination, microaggressions, and systemic barriers. Training about transgender people and workplace inclusivity should be a strategic priority for organisations.Contribution: This case study contributes to our understanding of the complex intersections between gender transition and career development, highlighting unique challenges faced by transgender employees through discrimination, identity navigation, and systemic barriers. These insights can inform inclusive workplace policies and practices.

"I find value in myself": Queer Asian American men's self-love and resistance in the face of White supremacy.

Queer (i.e., gay, bisexual, or another sexual minority identity) Asian American men experience unique challenges and strengths related to their social identities at the intersection of race and sexual orientation. While a sizable body of research has shown how this population faces racism within the broader queer community, there is little research that specifically examines the strengths of this population, including how they cultivate self-love in the face of White supremacy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine how queer Asian American men who endorse self-love regardless of what queer white men think of them cultivate that self-love, as well as to understand the benefits of this self-love. Using a qualitative, grounded theory approach with 20 queer Asian American men who endorsed self-love regardless of what queer White men think of them, results indicated the core category of facilitating forces of self-love. Within this overarching category, results highlighted four key categories: location (i.e., predominantly White area, racially diverse area, and transition from one area to another), social support (i.e., processing experiences and challenging the status quo), self-reflection (i.e., journaling, therapy, and increasing critical consciousness/viewing the self-in-context), and active resistance (i.e., externalizing racism, distancing from Whiteness, seeking representation, engaging in activism or advocacy, and cultivating self-worth). This study highlights the specific mechanisms by which queer Asian American men love themselves regardless of queer white men's views of them, posing larger implications for how marginalized groups can resist and thrive in the face of societal oppression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

From Sex Education to Sexualities Education: Navigating the Intersectionality of Queer Communities in Italy and the Netherlands

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore the experiences, needs, and interests of queer people who are also neurodivergent, or live with a chronic illness or disability (i.e. IMMI: individuals with multi-minority identities) in Italy and the Netherlands. Five focus groups were conducted in Italy with 22 queer IMMI to identify their most relevant topics regarding and experiences with sex education. Building on the discussion topics of the focus groups, a survey in Italian and English was distributed via snowball sampling. The survey was created to explore the experiences related to sex education in the two countries. The final sample of respondents included 138 (97 Italian, 41 Dutch) queer IMMI. Results indicated that sex education received in both formal (e.g. school) and informal (e.g. family) contexts failed to include information that was sensitive and supportive of queer community’s experiences. Participants reported the need to explore more topics addressing the specific needs of different identity intersections. Cross-cultural differences related to the experiences of Italian and Dutch participants were found. Overall, current sex education in Italy and the Netherlands is far from meeting the sexual health needs of queer people living with different intersections. Practical implications are discussed.

Intraminority Gay Community Stress and Coping Responses Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan

ABSTRACT A proportion of gay and bisexual men (GBM) experience worse mental health when they encounter stress from problems within the gay community. This qualitative study examined the dominant standards held in the gay community in Taiwan, the intraminority-community stress experienced by GBM, and the strategies that GBM adopt to cope with such stress. Data from open and in-depth interviews with 26 GBM were subject to reflexive thematic analysis. The results found that appearance, sexual satisfaction, wealth and social status, being a member of gay groups, and youth were valued in the gay community in Taiwan. These standards resulted in a variety of stress responses, including concerns about not fitting in, diminished self-confidence, feelings of frustration due to unattainable standards and challenges in interpersonal relationships. The strategies adopted to cope with such stress involved acceptance and adherence, passive acceptance, rational thinking and critique, mental resilience, mutual support, and efforts to question and challenge norms. Our findings can provide mental health professionals with key insights into the intraminority gay community stress and coping responses in GBM.

Media Representation of Male Protagonists in Thai Boy Love Commercials: A Visual Discourse Analysis

The media portrayal of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community may impact public understanding and attitudes towards this community, which has not been extensively studied. This article explores the media representation of gay men in commercials by presenting a visual discourse analysis of three Thai Boy Love commercials. Combining the visual representation framework of social actors and genre and functionality analysis, it examines (a) how the male protagonists are visually represented in relation to the audience from three symbolic dimensions and (b) how the salient patterns of presenting boy love commercials are integrated with the story’s narrative stages and genre functions. The findings suggest that the boys are primarily portrayed positively as inclusive, close, agentive and ordinary social members who feature soft masculinity. Nevertheless, such a generic and idealised representation romanticises gay relationships, diminishes the individuality of gay people and obscures the diversity within the gay community. The portrayal also prioritises the female gaze to cater to the core audience of heterosexual young women consumers. This article provides insights into the reciprocal relationship between public receptivity towards the LGBTQ community and their favourable visual representations in commercials.

Tracing the Integration Journey: A Qualitative Study of Conflict Between Gender/Sexuality Identity and Religiosity Among LGBTQ Individuals in Indonesia

The mainstream religious perspective that opposes homosexuality and cross-gender expression creates a dilemma for LGBTQ individuals, especially those who grew up with a specific religious affiliation. This can result in internal conflict between gender and religiosity. The present study aims to explore how individuals perceive and cope with the conflict between their religious status and gender and sexual identity over time. We used qualitative methods, specifically the grounded theory approach, which allowed for a focus on the process of theory formation and development. Six participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling criteria: 1) they identified as part of the LGBTQ community; 2) they had practiced or were currently practicing a particular religion, and; 3) they were at least 18 years old. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. We developed an “Integration Model of Conflict Between Gender/Sexuality Identity and Religiosity” derived from Cass’s Gender Identity Formation Model [6]. This model consists of the following stages: nonconform, questioning, conflict, exploration, self-identify, compromise, self-integration, and spiritual integration. Additionally, we observed how cognitive appraisal and attachment to religion as a community can play a role in preventing gender-religiosity conflict. This study provides insight into the experiences of LGBTQ individuals who also have a religious affiliation and may be struggling with conflicting identities. The model developed in this study can be used as a framework for understanding and supporting individuals going through this process. Keywords: LGBTQ+, gender, Indonesia

Minority stress and psychological well-being in queer populations

Queer individuals experience unique stressors related to their minority status, negatively impacting their mental health. One factor contributing to these disparities is exposure to minority stress, which involves social stressors related to minority status. Previous research has focused on the negative impacts of minority stress, with less attention to its impact on positive psychological functioning. This study explored the relationship between minority stress and psychological well-being among 270 queer individuals in German-speaking countries. Participants completed an online survey assessing minority stress and psychological well-being. Analyses of Covariance indicated that proximal factors of minority stress—such as self-stigma, concealment, and expectations of rejection—had a particularly negative impact on psychological well-being, but no effects could be found for gender and sexual orientation. Additionally, gender identity but not sexual orientation had a significant effect on minority stress, with non-binary and other gender identities reporting higher minority stress compared to females. Thematic analysis revealed concerns about survey inclusivity, gender identity challenges, and intersectionality of minority identities. Our findings emphasize the significant impact of minority stress on the psychological well-being of queer individuals, particularly non-binary people and those with diverse gender identities, while demonstrating the need for inclusive research methodologies, tailored interventions, and policies addressing the diverse experiences within the queer community.

Consciousness and commodity: towards a critical theory of genre in American popular music

ABSTRACT This paper uses a critical theory approach to analyse the process of genre in American popular music. Synthesizing views from Herbert Marcuse and Theodor Adorno with more optimistic perspectives from Angela Davis and Tia DeNora, the paper proposes a cyclical theory of genre transformation from communal resistance to commodified product. Three case studies are used to show this process. In the 1920s, Appalachian music transformed from indigenous, multi-racial folk to commercialized ‘hillbilly music'. During the 1970s disco originated in queer communities to provide liberation on the dancefloor, became the dominant music of the decade, resulting in its homophobic extinction while inspiring new dance genres like house. Finally, the 1980s saw the rise of rap as a mode of defiance to racial and economic violence, but subsequent generations of artists worked to self-commodify to appeal to suburban white audiences, becoming the world's most popular genre. The paper examines how each genre originated as a form of resistance, gained widespread popularity, and ultimately became commodified. It concludes by exploring how AI-driven algorithms have disrupted traditional consumption patterns based on genre. In its place, machine learning and artificial intelligence is fabricating an ‘algorithmic self’ that individuates while disconnecting from specific communal expressions.

How Experiences of Stigma and Discrimination at Various Points in the Queer Life Course Interrelate with Alcohol Use: Views from Sexually and Gender Diverse Youth.

The life courses of sexually and gender diverse individuals are shaped by a series of events that include acceptance of one's own sexual orientation or gender identity, the coming out process and socialization in the LGBTQ+ (for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and other sexual orientations and gender identities represented by the plus sign) environment. Generally experienced in a cis-heteronormative context, this process is marked by stigma and discrimination and the social harms they can cause, including a higher-than-average prevalence of alcohol use. To profile the alcohol use of sexually and gender diverse (SGD) youth from a life course perspective and to explore individual perceptions regarding the personal, social and cultural factors (including stigmatization and its consequences) modulating their consumption. This qualitative descriptive study is grounded in symbolic interactionism. Semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 90 min were conducted with LGBTQ+ youth aged 18 to 30 using alcohol at least once a week. A thematic analysis was performed. A total of 31 individuals aged 18-29 (average age: 25) were interviewed. The average score regarding alcohol use was 14.25 (Standard Deviation -SD-: 4-31), which corresponds to a moderate risk and indicates the need for a brief intervention. Our study documents how the higher alcohol use among LGBTQ+ youth is shaped by individual, community and cultural factors at different points in the queer life course. Among the factors influencing drinking are the emotions experienced when questioning sexual orientation and/or gender identity as well as the feelings resulting from stigma and discrimination. Our findings also indicate the influence of socializing in the queer community and meeting peers and partners, as well as that of LGBTQ+ cultural practices. Our study indicates the need for grassroots-level interventions that work to mitigate social pressures in queer socialization contexts. Accordingly, any intervention, whether preventive or therapeutic, must consider the interplay of personal, social, community and cultural factors. Interventions regarding alcohol use must build on the strengths of community and the sense of belonging.

Exploring the experiences of stigma among South African gay men who practice consensual nonmonogamy

Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) refers to an intimate relationship arrangement in which all the parties involved consent to having multiple romantic or sexual partners simultaneously, with the full knowledge and agreement of everyone involved. Although CNM is becoming increasingly more visible in mainstream media and social discourse, it remains a largely non-normative relationship configuration that can elicit stigma directed at those who practice it. The culture of mononormativity, whereby monogamous relationships are held as the ideal or default way for people to structure their intimate connections, may imply that even in the gay community, where a history of openness towards, and experimentation with, alternative relationship configurations exists, affirmative attitudes towards CNM cannot be guaranteed. This qualitative study explored the experiences of stigma among South African gay men who practice CNM, with a particular focus on stigma reported by CNM practitioners from within the gay community. Seven self-identified gay men who practice CNM were recruited to participate. Each participant took part in an unstructured individual interview which was then transcribed and subject to a thematic analysis. Analysis of the data revealed three main themes: creating CNM as homonormative; interpersonal (in)significance of CNM, and stigmatising narratives of CNM. Together, the findings highlight that while gay men who practice CNM may experience stigma from within the gay community, they adopt different approaches at managing this stigma, such as, by constructing CNM as a cultural norm for gay men and by interpreting their participation in CNM as a personally meaningful and fulfilling alternative to monogamy.

Group-swinging as a strategic approach to curating multiple minority identities online: A study of lesbian gamers

Building upon platform-swinging, this study introduces the concept of identity-driven “group-swinging” within a single platform, focusing on how users with multiple minority identities strategically curate corresponding identities through this process. Collecting all created and engaged posts ( n = 31,084) from 102 lesbian gamers in both lesbian gamer and female gamer groups, this research utilizes structural topic modeling to delineate their productive and consumptive curation across different groups. The results indicate that lesbian gamers often prioritize discussions on women and queer issues within the female gamer community while presenting a more gamer-centric identity in the lesbian gamer community. Group-swinging emerges as an optimal strategy for exploring a balance between belongingness and distinctiveness, enabling lesbian gamers to navigate their multiple minority identities effectively. This study enriches the understanding of identity curation and optimal distinctiveness theory, offering plausible strategies for the online resilience of marginalized groups within the polymedia context.

It’s a Match: The Impact of Influencer-Message Congruence and Recipients Identity on Perceptions of Rainbowwashing

Companies seek to demonstrate their commitment to social issues, such as supporting the LGBTQ community, through their advertising. When a company engages in advertising that suggests a corporate commitment to the LGBTQ community but does not actually implement it, this is known as rainbowwashing. In two studies, we investigate when individuals perceive this type of woke washing in a social media influencer (SMI) context and the role played by influencer-message congruence and the identity of the recipients. Study 1, an online experiment (N = 113), shows that influencer-message congruence influences the perception of rainbowwashing, which leads to further consequences for the SMIs themselves. In Study 2, a second online experiment (N = 178), we were able to replicate these results and found that members of the LGBTQ community are generally more critical in evaluating advertising that relates to their community, while nonmembers perceive strong rainbowwashing especially when there is a mismatch between influencer and message. Based on our sample, our study provides important insights into the group of people affected by rainbowwashing. Public trust in advertising promises is low due to recent corporate scandals, especially among those directly affected. Companies should provide concrete evidence of their social commitment to restore this trust.

Daily associations between resilience factors, substance use, and affect among sexual minority youth.

Past research has highlighted that sexual minority youth (SMY) are at particular risk for heightened substance use compared to their heterosexual peers; however, few studies have investigated the associations between resilience factors and substance use among SMY. In the present preregistered study, we examined the associations among three different forms of resilience factors (i.e., general social support, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ)-identity affirmation, LGBTQ community involvement) and alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use, as well as on positive and negative affect. SMY (n = 82, ages 15-19, 56.1% cisgender women, 84.4% White) completed a baseline assessment then a 30-day ecological momentary assessment study. Multilevel regression models evaluated within-day and between-person associations between resilience factors and odds of substance use (alcohol, nicotine, cannabis), substance use quantity on use days (alcohol, cannabis), positive affect, and negative affect. On the day level, general social support was associated with greater positive affect, lesser negative affect, and greater drinks on drinking days. LGBTQ-identity affirmation was associated with greater positive affect, lesser negative affect, and greater odds of nicotine use. LGBTQ community involvement was associated with greater positive affect. These results highlight the nuanced ways that resilience may engender more positive affect and reduce negative affect while simultaneously promoting substance use. Future research disentangling the mechanisms connecting resilience and substance use among SMY is necessary. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).