Browsing by Subject "gay"
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Item Borderland Masculinities in Higher Education(2018-12) Rodriguez, FernandoThe Latino male experience in higher education often assumes a heteronormative masculinity framework without critically considering the experiences of gay Latino men as they negotiate heteronormative and heterosexist spaces within the institutional environment. Internalized masculinity constructs that begin within the familial space, and are shaped by cultural tradition and gender norms, are not complicated in the extant literature to consider the ways masculinity is internalized uniquely in the lives of gay Latino men. This dissertation examines the internalized masculinity constructs of six first-generation Mexican American gay undergraduate men to understand the ways that their internalized masculinity expectations shaped their college experiences. Over the course of two calendar years, participants engaged in a series of in-depth reflective interviews and were asked to consider their upbringings, family lives, social influences, and campus environments to understand the ways they have come to understand and embody masculinity within the campus environment. Utilizing Gloria Anzaldúa’s mestiza consciousness and border theory as the method of theoretical consideration and analysis, the study interrogates the six participant experiences to uncover how they navigated masculinity expectations within the campus setting and how they reconciled their gay identity within heteronormative campus spaces.Item A Phenomenological Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Gay Male Baby Boomers in Couples and Relationship Education(2019-07) Behr, AshleyFor couples, the intimate relationship between partners is one of the most influential in adult life. Couples and relationship education (CRE) intends to provide contextual knowledge and to facilitate the growth of relationship skill sets. However, current CRE programming is largely heteronormative, relying primarily on male/female relationship dyads. Little CRE research focuses on the experiences of gay men in later stages of their lives, despite sweeping social and legal changes such as marriage equality nationwide in the United States. This phenomenological investigation sought a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of gay male baby boomers who have participated in adult education programs which focus on the health and maintenance of long-term, romantic partnerships. Participants revealed the need for CRE with gay male baby boomers to be more sensitive to a variety of unique compatibility issues, including the extent to which each partner is out and individual sexual identity development. Participants also experienced most existing CRE material as appropriate for use with same-sex couples. However, their lived experiences emphasized specialized considerations related to historical trauma such as the AIDS crisis, previous heterosexual marriages while closeted, chronic social stigma, and the significance of being a trailblazer for LGBTQ civil rights. Recommendations for research and practice in CRE and adult education are provided.Item A Qualitative Exploration of Housing Expectations of Gay and Lesbian Individuals as they Age(2016-09) Urness, MichaelThe housing concerns of senior gay and lesbian persons have not been well researched or explored and nearly all published articles that do exist acknowledged that gaps exist in current understandings. Many researchers of housing for seniors were self-critical of these deficiencies. This paper sought to answer the questions: What are the housing expectations and aspirations of gay and lesbian people as they age? What resources do they identify that make their aspirations achievable? What constraints may hinder their realization of their housing aspirations? How does their current housing situation shape their approach to these questions? Qualitative analysis of 15 interviews revealed six themes that were common among participants. Participants placed high value on their sexual orientation being respected and valued in their community. This recognition was especially crucial if they were to receive in home care or enter a retirement facility. The value of privacy and independence was a priority for participants, sometimes sacrificing financially to ensure their desires were fulfilled. The importance of community connections was regarded highly for its social merit as well as its contribution to networks of assistance that could aid in the demands of aging. The physical accessibility of the home was a topic that was confronted by all participants. The impact of wealth and privilege revealed that the LGBT community is not a monolith; different segments have different challenges. Finally, in consideration of future challenges, many participants had not considered and/or denied their impending aging and associated life changes.