Application Blog

Researching the LGBT community

                The group I took an interest in is the LGBT community. This group has had a very complex history and each member of the group has developed differently. I would like to focus on the concept of identity development which focuses on several aspects that explain who a person is. Identity has several dimensions including individualized, familial, spiritual, gender, sexual orientation, age, and racial identity.  The sense of self as being independent or self-reliant is the individualized identity. Opposite of this identity is familial identity were one senses how they are connected to family and others. The next dimension is spiritual identity which explains how one identifies with feelings of connectedness to others and higher meanings in life. Identifying with the cultural notions of masculinity and femininity and what it means to be a man or a woman relates to gender identity. Next is sexual identity which is one’s identification with various categories of sexuality. Age Identity explains the cultural conventions of how we should act, look, and behave according to our age. Lastly I would like to address racial identity which is how one identifies with a racial group (Martin & Nayayama 2013).

            By researching each dimension I expect to find some answers that may connect the fragments that make up what I know about the LGBT community. Individualized identity will explain the effect of how the push of culture to rely on oneself has impacted the individual. I also would like to see if there is a relationship between how independent a person is and their sexual orientation. I am also interested to see if the ties to family have any effect on an individual. I want to find out if weak family ties lead to being gay or transgender, which is something that many believe to be true. Another theory I would like to test is whether lack of spirituality leads to more people being gay. I would like to see the differences that religion has on people being openly gay or leaving the religion after coming out. Gender identity will be interesting to research. I would like to see what leads a man to identify as being a gay man or as a transgender woman and vice versa with women. I want to know the different dimensions that go into identifying with one sex or the other. Sexual orientation is at the heart of my research. The first step of starting research will be finding out whether an individual is attracted to men, women, or both. I also want to find out the basics that go into why an individual identifies this way. I believe that age will not have a major effect on explaining differences in the community but I could be wrong. The age one decided to come out, or felt that they were gay or bisexual may be important to how their identity develops. Racial identity can help explain demographics. Are more white people gay? Are more bisexual people Black? I would like to find out if there are any significant race differences.

            I have interviewed 4 individuals. Two individuals are gay/lesbian and are in long term relationships. In order to get more comfortable with the community have gone to the “Q” which is a gay/lesbian bar here in town. By doing this I have come in contact with more people and have found out about different events. So far I have only been told of different drag shows and the Gay Pride picnics and gatherings that will not be coming up for quite some time. I plan on attending 1 if not 2 more drag shows and writing down observations of how people act in the club compared to everyday life. I have done 4 interviews and have received very good information on each individual’s identity. Below are the questions that I asked each person.

Sexual orientation:

-          - When did you know?

-          - When did you come out?

-          - Were you supported?

Individual Identity

-          - Are you okay being alone or are you more comfortable around others?

-          - Do you support yourself or get help from others?

-          - Are you okay with who you are?

-          - When did you become comfortable being gay?

-          - Growing up, where you left to do things on your own or did you receive a lot of help?

-          - America’s culture pushes people to rely on themselves, do you think you are left to do things on your own     or do you feel like you are part of a group that helps you when you need it?

-          - Do you remember any significant time in childhood were you felt like you were different from other                 children?

-          - If no, when did you start becoming attracted to boys/girls?

Familial Identity

-          - Were there strong family ties when you grew up?

-          - Did you feel support from your family when you came out?

-          - Are you still connected with your family now?

-          - Do you have any other close family members that are gay?

-          - If yes, did they support you coming out?

Spiritual Identity

-          - Do you believe in God or a higher power?

-          - What religion?

-          - Did you go to church growing up?

-          - Did your family force religion on you or was it a choice?

-          - Do you feel like what people say about “being gay is a sin” affects the way you chooses to believe?

-          - Is your religion okay with you being openly gay?

-          - Did you leave your church when you found out you were gay?

-          - Did you wait to come out because your church wasn't accepting?

- Gender Identity

-          - Do you identify as male or female?

-          - Do you feel masculine or feminine?

-          - Are you interested in being a boy/girl?

-          - Have you ever dressed up in drag?

-          - Do you feel more comfortable dressing/acting like a man or woman?

-          - Do you like boys/girls who are more feminine or masculine?

-          - What factors lead you to identify as a (Masculine woman, feminine man, transgender, etc)?

Age

-          - When did you come out?

-          - When did you feel gay?

-          - When did you start openly dating the same sex?

-          - Did anything change when you came out?

Racial Identity

-          - What is your race?

            Each person elaborated in his or her own way and was allowed to interpret the question however they pleased. The interviews were very relaxed and each person felt comfortable talking with me. I look forward to going over my data to see if anything connects. 

References

Martin, J. N. (2013). Incultural communication in contexts (Sixth ed.). New York, New York:                           McGraw-Hill.