Gay Community Research Articles

Where Repronormativity is Questioned: A Case Study of Male Pregnancy in Berlin

Some trans men can get pregnant and through that decision they question repronormative ideals. This study aims to explore the experience of these men and to understand how Berlin, where they live, may influence their experience of pregnancy. To do so, a case study was conducted and, using semi-structured interviews, two participants talked about their experiences in the city, parenthood, masculinity, pregnancy and social experience. The results were analyzed following the thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke. Four main themes emerged: (1) unseen pregnancy, (2) (un)identity challenges, (3) interpersonal experiences of a pregnant man and (4) specificities of life in Berlin. All the themes seem to be involved with negotiations between their personal experiences and the social expectations about their pregnancy. The main results reveal that pregnancy was conceptualized by participants as a masculine experience, despite the lack of recognition by society. Some characteristics of Berlin - as the existence of a supportive Queer community, the economic and political system, and the existence of certain laws - seem to have an influence on the decision of these people to get pregnant. However, participants reported experiences of discrimination and invisibility. Therefore, despite the evidence of some protector factors, the city is not completely free of the violence inherent to a cisheterosexist system. The principal practical implications of this work are the creation of inclusive and safe spaces, free of discrimination, to allow the integration of visibility around masculine pregnancy, if people decide to, in order to improve recognition and respect.

One Country, Different Reactions- How did the Gay Community in Israel Respond to the New Mpox Threat?

Mpox affected mainly men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aimed to assess MSM's response to the threat, and compare MSM living in central Israel vs. its periphery. Data were collected by anonymous electronic surveys between September and October 2022 through a geospatial application ("Grindr"). Of the 665 MSM participants, 221 (33.2%) were vaccinated against mpox. In the multivariate analysis, living in central Israel, being in steady relationships, HIV infection, PrEP use, noticing suspicious skin lesions, and changing sexual behavior predicted vaccination. Of all participants, 317 (47.6%) changed their sexual behavior. In the multivariate analysis, living in central Israel, engaging in risky sexual behavior and being vaccinated against mpox predicted sexual behavior change. Of the 444 participants who were not vaccinated, 245 (55.1%) lived in peripheral regions of Israel. Those who lived in the periphery were less likely to get vaccinated or change their sexual behavior compared with MSM who lived in central Israel. Although the study was limited in size and the study population was relatively homogeneous, MSM perceived mpox as a potential threat on health, and almost 50% changed their sexual behavior and nearly one-third were vaccinated against mpox. The trend was mainly observed in MSM who were at high risk to acquire mpox and those who lived in central Israel.

Gender discontents? The emergence of trans and gender nonconforming experiences in Ireland’s Gay Community News (1988–1998)

ABSTRACT Research pertaining to the emergence and presence of trans and gender nonconforming identities in press materials has been lacking, particularly within the queer Irish context. This article fills this gap by presenting the findings of a study exploring the emergence of gender nonconformity through the alternative queer media outlet, Gay Community News (GCN). Using the first decade of the GCN’s reportage (1988 to 1998), this article explores 113 issues of GCN, including supplements, deploying textual analysis to uncover how GCN negotiated and represented trans and gender diverse identities. Through this analysis, three key themes relating to trans visibility emerge across this decade: 1. Negotiating the inclusion and exclusion of trans femme identities; 2. Transvestite identity and its normal attachments and 3. Information provision and consciousness-raising. In exploring these themes, this article argues that alternative media have been crucial for the emergence of trans and gender diverse visibility in the Irish queer press. Additionally, it contends that this community is very much minoritised regarding the kinds of inclusions offered to them. While highlighting the activist potential of alternative media like GCN, the article demonstrates that trans visibility was often complex, marred by exclusions and expectations around conformity.

Election Interference and Online Propaganda Campaigns: Dynamic Interdependencies on Facebook, Google Trends, and the New York Times

The relationship between propaganda campaigns, news outlets, and search patterns is of significant interest to political authorities and academic scholars from various disciplines. We explore these dynamic relationships using 3,500 Facebook propaganda advertisements, 167,000 New York Times stories, and hundreds of Google Trends searches for terms from the advertisements and articles in the two years preceding the 2016 US presidential election. The data indicate that propaganda campaigns utilize random content infrequently and instead follow specific Google search patterns. Depending on the subject matter, Facebook advertisements can anticipate the New York Times. In the contexts of immigration, racism, and the LGBT community, such patterns of content adaptation are more prominent. We use the results to provide policy and research recommendations.

Queering Masculinities in the Middle East (SWANA) and South Asia

One of the most important shifts in gender scholarship is the attention now being paid to discourses and practices of masculinity in the Global South. This issue of Men and Masculinities contributes to this growing field in three important ways. First, we foreground scholarship on masculinities in two interconnected, but understudied regions of the world, specifically the Middle East, which is also known as South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA), and its neighbor to the east, South Asia. In particular, we demonstrate the ways in which queer identities and communities are being formed across these two regions, connected as they are by historic trade routes, migration pathways, and transregional cultural flows. Second, we point to the vibrant masculinities scholarship that is emerging from these regions. But we focus specifically on non-normative masculinities—or the queer, trans, and other genderqueer masculinities—which have been historically present in these two regions, but which have been much less represented in masculinities literature. Third, we look to identity formation, or the ways in which young cis-gender, trans, and queer men come out in their communities and seek authentic lives of desire, pleasure, and participation. At the same time, we highlight the ever-present precarity within queer communities in the Middle East/SWANA and South Asia, especially given postcolonial nationalist and ethno-nationalist agendas, which promote normative heteropatriarchal masculinities and concomitant homophobia and transphobia.

Some Liked It and Some Did Not: (Re)Circulating Lesbian Culture Among Queer Generations

Naming oneself, and claiming an identity and a community, depends largely upon how people define and represent themselves, and whether that self-definition and representation is accepted by, or legible to, others who inhabit different social positions based on age, gender, sexuality, and often generation. My aim is neither to rehabilitate the lesbian past or lesbian words for identity, nor to reject the increasingly broad use of the term queer. Rather, as a Generation X lesbian, I contend that lesbian culture, identity, and community continue to have much to offer for other categories of queerness that are similarly “untidy”, contested, or less well-understood by the mainstream. Approaching lesbian history, culture, and identity as dynamic and complex broadens possibilities for who might find connection and belonging in a lesbian past and a queer future. I explore an eclectic lesbian archive with an intergenerational Canadian focus that centers lesbian identity, community, and representation. My analysis supports my assertion that lesbian and queer inheritance flow multi-directionally, across and among people of varied generations and different social locations. I further posit that far from being anachronistic, lesbian, as a term for identity and culture, and as a political project, has ongoing productive potential, vitality, and agility that exceeds generational or linear understandings due to its fundamental grounding in self-definition. (Re)circulating lesbian and queer culture, therefore, functions as intergenerational wealth, community building, and cultural memory, bridging past pleasures, knowledge, and affective attachments with present and future possibilities for living.

Slim and slender: homoerotic images of young men in the 1980s Thai gay magazines

ABSTRACT This article aims to explain how masculine images of Thai slim and slender young men are constructed as homoerotic and homosexual desires focusing on the first generation of commercial gay magazines in the 1980s. Questioning the role of media in the formation of Thai gay culture, the paper explores the connection between consumer culture and the emergence of the modern Thai gay community during the 1980s. Not only do the text/articles in Thai gay magazines tell us about Thai gay culture and history, but the images of men whose photographs appear in Thai magazines also tell us much about the culture of masculinity in Thailand. Thai urban gay people perceived this masculine image and used it to achieve and sustain their sexual imagination. The article demonstrates the representation of male slim and slender bodies in specific social and cultural contexts, which Thai gay men had gradually learned about homoeroticism. It has been found that the homosexual attraction to the slim body image of Thai young men is culturally different from the Western paradigm of big-body gay clones involved in Western gay culture magazines. It could be noted that the cultural and social context behind these homoerotic relations is the changing way of presenting the masculine body of the Thai gay community.

Mental health challenges within the LGBTQ community: A societal imperative.

The LGBTQ community faces specific stressors rooted in societal discrimination, bias, and marginalization, impacting mental health significantly. Persistent discrimination, exclusion, and heteronormative expectations are identified as social determinants that contribute to heightened stress levels, resulting in increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has also severely affected the physical and mental health of a large percentage of the population, particularly impacting the health of marginalized individuals such as LGBT individuals. Studies consistently reveal alarming mental health disparities between LGBTQ individuals and their heterosexual counterparts, with elevated rates of mood disorders, substance abuse, and self-harm. Transgender individuals, in particular, face unique challenges, including high rates of gender dysphoria and discrimination-induced mental distress. The concept of intersectionality within the LGBTQ community emphasizes the compounded burden faced by individuals with multiple marginalized identities, necessitating tailored mental health strategies. The societal context, including legal and policy frameworks, plays a pivotal role in shaping the mental health and scope for LGBTQ individuals. Supportive frameworks, such as anti-discrimination laws, marriage equality, and healthcare policies, contribute to societal acceptance and individual well-being. Additionally, efforts to destigmatize LGBTQ identities, comprehensive sex education, and public awareness campaigns challenging stereotypes are crucial for fostering a more inclusive societal mindset. Establishing robust support networks within the LGBTQ community, including initiatives providing mental health resources, counseling, community spaces, and allyship programs, is vital for community resilience. These efforts not only contribute to the well-being of individuals within the LGBTQ community but also work toward creating a more inclusive society. In conclusion, addressing mental health challenges within the LGBTQ community requires a multifaceted approach involving societal understanding, legal support, destigmatization efforts, and robust community resources. By acknowledging and comprehending the unique struggles faced by the LGBTQ community, society can collectively work toward building a more compassionate, supportive, and inclusive environment for all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

”Just Because I’m Not Super Masculine Doesn’t Mean I’m Not Bisexual”: Stories of Bisexual/Pansexual Fraternity Members’ Performances of Gender and Sexuality

Abstract: Fraternal organizations have often received criticism from individuals who argue that these groups perpetuate harmful gendered norms and oppress members who identify with queer communities. However, scholars and practitioners alike have paid little attention to members who identify as bisexual/pansexual (bi/pan) within these organizations. This narrative inquiry study examined the stories of eight pan/bi fraternity members, exploring how they described their performance of gender and sexual identities within these organizational contexts. Findings brought to light the following: how the heterosexist, monosexist settings influenced their varied performances; how members described the impact of their performances on experiences and relationships; and how participants viewed the complexities of performances and queered discourses of authenticity. Implications for research and practice are offered.

Mapping Trends: Researching News Portrayal of the LGBTQ Community

A bibliometric analysis of 949 documents from the Scopus database (1992–2023) reveals a growing interest in researching the news portrayal of the LGBTQ community. The United States emerges as the primary contributor, with the University of Toronto leading in research output. Dhoest A, Lovelock M, and Meyer MDE stand out as principal researchers. Keyword analysis highlights a prevalent focus on "queer," while "LGBTQ" usage is on the rise, reflecting a shift towards more inclusive representation. This study provides insights into current trends, addresses existing gaps, and offers guidance for future research directions. By shedding light on evolving patterns in the depiction of LGBTQ individuals in the media, it contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of this important societal issue.

Italy’s Populist Radical Right and Anti-Gender Discourses: Lega, FdI and the Case of the Zan Bill

ABSTRACT In 2021, Italian populist radical right (PRR) parties, Lega and Fratelli d’Italia (FdI), opposed the Zan bill, which sought to criminalise homo-bi-transphobia, misogyny and discrimination against disabilities. Unlike some European PRR parties that have declaredly adopted some pro-LGBTIQ stances, the Italian PRR's opposition to the Zan bill reveals a different approach. Its case suggests that, in addition and complementary to targeting external ‘Others’ like immigrants or Muslims, the Italian PRR also promotes cis- and heteronormative models, constructing the LGBTIQ community as an internal threat to ‘the people’. This analysis sheds light on the centrality of gender in the PRR discourses and underscores the unique national context of anti-LGBTIQ and anti-gender rhetoric in Italy.

Structuralist or Lesbian? Claude Lévi-Strauss and Monique Wittig on Rousseau's “Science”

In postwar France a proliferation of thinkers sought to move away from the dialectic of negation and synthesis. Two such writers turned to Jean-Jacques Rousseau as the source of a non-dualistic reflection. In 1962, Claude Lévi-Strauss laid claim to him as the “founder of the sciences of man,” and, inspired in part by his contact with Buddhism, he created a non-dualist version of the philosophe as a foil to Sartre. In 1989, Monique Wittig would also take up Rousseau, but in order to challenge Lévi-Strauss's notion of the exchange of women. In her hands, Rousseau also became a non-dualist through whom she could formalize the insights of gay and lesbian community life as a theory of sex abolition: “the science of the oppressed.” With archival materials, close readings, and historical contextualization, this article explores the genesis and interactions of both interpretations and situates them on the broader horizon of postwar thought.

Psychometric Validation of the Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale among Black Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV.

LGBTQ + community connectedness is generally a protective health factor for sexual and gender minorities. However, existing scales have not been validated among Black sexual minority men living with HIV (SMMLWH), who face unique marginalized experiences that disproportionately impact several health outcomes compared to the general LGBT + community. We validated the Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale among Black SMMLWH. We validated the 9-item Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale from Frost and Meyer using preliminary data from a cohort of Mid-Atlantic Black SMMLWH (n = 650). Factor analysis and intercorrelations were conducted to assess unidimensionality, and Cronbach's alpha was measured for reliability. Correlations and cumulative ordinal regression models were generated using internalized homophobia, hopelessness, depression, HIV stigma, social support, and resilience as criterion constructs. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. The Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale demonstrated high internal consistency (alpha = 0.948) and strong item intercorrelation with a single factor structure. The scale was associated with all criterion measures before and after adjustment, including lower internalized homophobia (aCOR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.15-0.25), lower hopelessness (aCOR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.41-0.68), lower HIV stigma (aCOR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.47-0.72), and lower depression (aCOR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.50-0.75). The scale was also associated with greater social support (aCOR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.91-2.97) and resilience (aCOR = 2.53, 95% CI 2.03-3.15). The Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale is a valid measure for use among Black SMMLWH. Future studies should explore relationships between community connectedness and HIV care outcomes and quality of life among Black SMMLWH.

China's LGBT Community: History, Current Situation and Future Prospects

China's LGBT Community: History, Current Situation and Future Prospects

Identifying Effective Components of a Social Marketing Campaign to Improve Engagement With Express Sexual Health Services Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Case Study.

Little is known about how best to reach people with social marketing messages promoting use of clinical HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) services. We evaluated a multiplatform, digital social marketing campaign intended to increase use of HIV/STI testing, treatment, and prevention services among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) at an LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning) community health center. We evaluated engagement with a social marketing campaign launched by Open Door Health, the only LGBTQ+ community health center in Rhode Island, during the first 8 months of implementation (April to November 2021). Three types of advertisements encouraging use of HIV/STI services were developed and implemented on Google Search, Google Display, Grindr, and Facebook. Platforms tracked the number of times that an advertisement was displayed to a user (impressions), that a user clicked through to a landing page that facilitated scheduling (clicks), and that a user requested a call to schedule an appointment from the landing page (conversions). We calculated the click-through rate (clicks per impression), conversion rate (conversions per click), and the dollar amount spent per 1000 impressions and per click and conversion. Overall, Google Search yielded the highest click-through rate (7.1%) and conversion rate (7.0%) compared to Google Display, Grindr, and Facebook (click-through rates=0.4%-3.3%; conversion rates=0%-0.03%). Although the spend per 1000 impressions and per click was higher for Google Search compared to other platforms, the spend per conversion-which measures the number of people intending to attend the clinic for services-was substantially lower for Google Search (US $48.19 vs US $3120.42-US $3436.03). Campaigns using the Google Search platform may yield the greatest return on investment for engaging MSM in HIV/STI services at community health clinics. Future studies are needed to measure clinical outcomes among those who present to the clinic for services after viewing campaign advertisements and to compare the return on investment with use of social marketing campaigns relative to other approaches.

What does it mean to be queer in Wikidata? Practices of gender representation within a transnational online community

Abstract The continuing digitization and datafication that our society is undergoing are having a significant impact on our daily lives, giving rise to new possibilities but also entailing significant risks for people who are discriminated against or marginalized. Queer communities are particularly affected by these processes; therefore, it is crucially relevant to research transnational digital projects that involve them. In the Wikidata Gender Diversity (WiGeDi) project, we are looking at practices of gender representation in the Wikidata knowledge base, a collaborative online project managed by a worldwide community. Working from the idea that gender is a complex social construct, we investigate how the Wikidata community has approached the complex issue of modeling and populating gender data, progressing from a very narrow interpretation of gender as a binary to a representation that is more inclusive of a multiplicity of gender identities.

Exploring the Health Impact of Intersectional Minority Identity Stressors on Arab Sexual Minority Women Migrants to the United States.

Using an intersectionality lens and the minority stress theory as our theoretical grounding, this qualitative study is the first to examine the mental health of Arab sexual minority women (SMW) migrants to the United States. The study aimed to (1) explore the perceptions and experiences of intersectional minority identity-related life stressors and (2) discern their impact on the mental health of first-generation Arab SMW migrants. From December 2022 to March 2023, we conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with Arab SMW migrants. Guided by principles of community engagement in research, four community advisors, including three Arab SMW migrants and a mental health service provider, assisted in mock interviews, recruitment, and data analysis. This enriched our thematic analysis providing a nuanced understanding of Arab SMW migrant experiences. Participants reflected diverse nationalities, socioeconomic statuses, and religions and identified as lesbian, bisexual, or queer. Our sample included asylum seekers, documented migrants, and non-binary individuals (assigned female at birth). Findings revealed three major themes: (1) Community- and Interpersonal-Level Stressors, (2) Strategies for Coping with Stressors, and (3) Impact of Intersectional Life Stressors on Mental Health. Community- and interpersonal-level stressors included challenges navigating migration-related stressors, rejection and discrimination from the Arab, queer, and dominant-group (i.e., non-Arab, non-White) communities, and experiences of invalidation of their intersectional identities. Coping mechanisms included avoidance, identity concealment, and seeking social support. Participants reported various mental health impacts, from anxiety, depression to suicidal thoughts, emphasizing the urgency for tailored interventions. Participants called for the development of support groups specifically for Arab SMW migrants.

Othering and Marginalizing the “Queer” in Rwanda: Findings from Public Perceptions and Lived Experiences of LGBT People

Abstract Introduction The multidimensionality of stigma that LGBT people experience globally necessitates research to explore the processes at work. The study aimed to quantify the level of othering and explore the process of LGBT othering in Rwanda. Methods We conducted a sequential cross-sectional mixed-methods study of LGBT lived experiences in Rwanda. We recruited 499 participants to complete the LGBT-specific survey and 1254 for the non-LGBT survey. We conducted 16 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with non-LGBT participants. For LGBT participants, we completed six focus groups with 59 participants, six in-depth interviews, and three digital storytelling interviews. For the quantitative surveys, we conducted multivariable linear regressions and reported beta coefficients and 95% confidence interval estimates examining LGBT discrimination (LGBT survey) and attitudes toward LGBT (non-LGBT survey). We used deductive and inductive thematic and narrative analysis to analyze the qualitative data. Results In adjusted analyses of the non-LGBT survey, as compared to those who knew zero LGBT persons, persons who knew more than five had lower negative attitude scores (β = − 1.3, 95% CI − 2.2, − 0.5), while the score was lower for those that knew one to five (− 0.2), it was not significant (95% CI − 0.8, 0.5). In the LGBT survey, adjusted analyses indicated that there was no significant difference found in discrimination between bisexual, gay, or lesbian participants. However, as compared to cisgender participants, transgender participants had discrimination scores that were 2.1 points higher (95% CI 1.1, 3.0), and gender non-confirming individuals had scores that were one point higher (95% CI 0.2, 1.9). The qualitative findings showcased how societal “othering” occurs in the everyday life of LGBT Rwandans, with large ramifications in creating feelings of isolation and hampering one’s capacity to live authentically and with dignity. Conclusion The findings from our study indicate a high level of othering of the LGBT community across multiple domains, including housing, employment, healthcare, education, religion, and family within Rwanda. Policy Implications The findings highlight the importance of social education campaigns about LGBT people, particularly among vital societal role-holders, including healthcare providers and educators. Integrating the rich historical and indigenous culture related to LGBT could be successful in combating anti-West rhetoric.

Shouldering the Double Burden of Homophobia and Racism Alone: Challenges to Seeking Social Support and Finding Community Among Sexual Minorities of Color

ABSTRACT Social support is important to well-being, and people with more supportive social networks tend to be healthier. Sexual minorities are generally at risk of worse health outcomes, and as “double minorities,” sexual minorities of color are vulnerable to experiences of both homophobia and racism. Yet, we know little about how they navigate their social relationships or how efficacious these relationships are. This study draws from 25 in-depth interviews of Black and Latino/a sexual minority adults, finding that respondents experience conditional social support from their networks. Familial ties are ill-equipped to provide support related to their sexual identity but more equipped to provide support related to racism. Inversely, ties to the LGBTQ community provide support related to sexual identity but impose challenges related to racial identity. Our analysis makes two novel contributions regarding social belonging among sexual minorities of color: First, strong ties and shared identity are not inherently predictive of the accessibility or quality of social support. Second, social integration and isolation are not mutually exclusive but can be experienced simultaneously. Given that social support and community ties can be health protective, this study provides insight into effective community building that meets the comprehensive needs of sexual minorities of color.

Born This Way? National Collective Narcissism, Implicit Homophobia, and Homosexual Essentialism in Populist Poland.

Prejudice toward the LGBT community has become prevalent in Poland under the ultraconservative populist government. The results of three studies conducted between 2018 and 2019 (N1 = 879, N2 = 324, and N3 = 374) indicate that Polish collective narcissism-the belief that the exaggerated greatness of the nation is not recognized by others-is associated with implicit homophobia assessed as the intuitive disapproval of gay men and automatic evaluative preference of heterosexuality over homosexuality. Those associations were to a large extent explained by the relationships between collective narcissism and (1) the belief that groups defined by sexual orientations are essentially distinct; (2) the belief that homosexuality is a personal choice, not genetically determined or culturally universal. The experimental results of Study 3 indicated that inducing the belief that non-normative sexuality is genetically determined and culturally universal reduced automatic preference for heterosexuality over homosexuality (but not intuitive disapproval of gay men) across levels of collective narcissism (contrary to predictions). The obtained results complete the picture of the association of narcissistic beliefs about the nation and homophobia emerging from previous studies. National narcissism is linked not only to explicit but also to latent, implicit homophobia likely to be triggered by increased presence of national narcissism in public discourse. Moreover, national narcissism is linked to implicit homophobia, especially via the agentic belief that sexual orientation is a matter of choice. Changing this belief reduces implicit homophobia also among national narcissists.