The Culture of Sexuality: Identification, Conceptualization, and Acculturation Processes Within Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Cultures
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Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 8-2018 The Culture of Sexuality: Identification, Conceptualization, and Acculturation Processes Within Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Cultures Joshua Glenn Parmenter Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Parmenter, Joshua Glenn, "The Culture of Sexuality: Identification, Conceptualization, and Acculturation Processes Within Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Cultures" (2018). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 7236. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7236 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE CULTURE OF SEXUALITY: IDENTIFICATION, CONCEPTUALIZATION, AND ACCULTURATION PROCESSES WITHIN SEXUAL MINORITY AND HETEROSEXUAL CULTURES by Joshua Glenn Parmenter A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTERS OF SCIENCE in Psychology Approved: Renee V. Galliher, Ph.D. Melanie M. Domenech Rodríguez, Ph.D. Major Professor Committee Member Melissa Tehee, Ph.D., J.D. Mark R. McLellan, Ph.D. Committee Member Vice President for Research and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2018 ii Copyright © 2018 Joshua Glenn Parmenter All rights reserved iii ABSTRACT The Culture of Sexuality: Conceptualization, Identification, and Acculturation Processes within Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Cultures by Joshua G. Parmenter, Master of Science Utah State University, 2018 Major Professor: Renee V. Galliher, Ph.D. Department: Psychology Social identity development theories emphasize self-categorization, in which individuals label themselves in order to form a social identity with a particular group. Strong social and cultural identities are tied to positive mental health outcomes. LGBTQ+ individuals that identify with the sexual minority cultural group are simultaneously navigating through the dominant heterosexual culture. Sexual minorities’ negotiation of majority culture and minority cultures may be conceptualized in terms of Berry’s model of acculturation. While research on acculturation has focused primarily on ethnic minority groups and their identity development, similar processes may apply for sexual minority populations as they interact with the heterosexual dominant culture. Additionally, while sexual identity has been extensively researched, very little has been studied on individual’s definitions, conceptualization, and identification with LGBTQ+ and heterosexual cultures. The aim of the current study was to explore sexual minorities’ iv experiences of navigating different sociocultural contexts while negotiating their sexual identity. Fourteen sexual minorities (20-25 years) with a diverse array of intersecting identities (i.e., gender, racial, ethnic, religious, cultural) participated in semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups. Participants reflected on their sexual identity development, their experiences and conceptualizations of LGBTQ+ culture, as well as their experiences managing their sexual identities while navigating within different contexts. Findings from the current study supported three broad themes: sexual identity and intersections, LGBTQ+ and heterosexual culture, and contextual navigation (i.e., the on-going adaptive process of negotiating visibility of one’s sexual identity within sociocultural contexts). Sexual minorities described stories of developing their sexual identity that were consistent with current models of sexual identity formation. Participants described the LGBTQ+ culture as a culture of survival, acceptance, and inclusiveness. Most participants found a sense of pride and importance in identifying with the broader LGBTQ+ culture and believed it was beneficial in their identity development. Sexual minorities also shared the internal processes and behavioral strategies used to manage visibility of their sexual identities in order to avoid stigma and navigate different sociocultural contexts. Implications for research, practice, and education are discussed. (189 pages) v PUBLIC ABSTRACT The Culture of Sexuality: Conceptualization, Identification, and Acculturation Processes within Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Cultures Joshua G. Parmenter This study aimed to provide insights into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) people within LGBTQ+ culture, and to explore how they disclose or conceal their sexual identities within different social environments. A qualitative study enabled me to become immersed within the stories of LGBTQ+ people, in order to better understand the construct and importance of LGBTQ+ culture. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups, 14 members of the LGBTQ+ community from around the nation volunteered to share their experiences with LGBTQ+ culture and their negotiation of identity within heterosexual culture. From participants’ stories, key themes were identified: sexual identity and the processes of integrating multiple aspects of identity (i.e., ethnic, religious, gender), characteristics and values within the LGBTQ+ and heterosexual cultures, and how LGBTQ+ people make decisions to conceal or “come out” about their sexual identity depending on the environment. Participants described three levels of identification as LGBTQ+: individual, proximal social group, and a broader LGBTQ+ culture. The narratives converged to reveal a process, contextual navigation, for how LGBTQ+ people conceal or disclose (“come out”) their sexual orientation depending on safety within a given environment. We suggest that people working with LGBTQ+ individuals should vi encourage engagement in the LGBTQ+ culture, as this may provide support for identity development and facilitate mental health outcomes. vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, thank you to Dr. Renee Galliher, who has served as my mentor, teacher, and one of my “academic mothers.” As a first-generation college student, I am eternally grateful to you for the opportunity to achieve a goal I never thought would be realized. Thank you for building my spirits, believing in me, being there for emotional support, and challenging me in my academic pursuits. Thank you for providing an affirming and humorous environment that your students thrive in. You have helped me develop my identity as a lifelong learner and passionately curious individual— I am looking forward to what the rest of this adventure has in store. It would be disrespectful to not acknowledge and thank my first academic mother who originally “brought me into this world of academia”—Dr. Katherine Crowell. While she is not at Utah State University (USU), she continues to be a mentor, LGBTQ+ role model, academic mother, and dear friend through my academic and personal journey. Her constant reminder to “never forget who you are or where you come from” continues to be a beacon of hope that has pushed me through the hardest of times. I recognize and am deeply honored by how privileged I have been with regard to such mentorship and academic family. Thank you also to my committee members, Drs. Melissa Tehee and Melanie Domenech Rodríguez. Their continued support with this project and in various other domains of my life has been deeply appreciated. I cannot express my gratitude enough to be able to have mentors such as you, to whom I often turn when in need of encouragement, emotional support, or guidance. Thank you to the USU Psychology Department for funding my thesis project. To my research assistant, Adam Maughan, viii your hard work and collaboration was greatly appreciated. I hope to work with you in the future as you continue your journey in becoming an agent of social change. I must acknowledge the wonderful women in my life whom I have come to claim as my “chosen family.” Thank you to Sydnie, Tammie, Jen, my fellow lab-mates, and my graduate school companions whom I have had the privilege of sharing this journey with—thank you for all the ways you have changed my life for the better. Your dedication to social justice, diversity, and multiculturalism contributed to a safe environment that enabled me to flourish—for this, I am grateful. Aside from my two academic mothers and other members of my chosen family, it is absolutely essential to recognize my family and their endless support for me. My journey through these first 2 years of graduate school has been beyond difficult but, when all else failed, my family was the beacon of hope that I needed in order to persist. Dina and Kerry Parmenter, it is a true honor and privilege to be your son. I may be miles away and extremely busy, but I am grateful every day for your endless support throughout my professional development and your affirmation of my sexual identity. Without your unconditional love and weekly (if not daily) doses of “humble pie,” I truly do not know where I would be. My family is the reason why I am standing where I am today. Finally, this project would not have been possible without the cooperation of 14 passionate and resilient individuals: Moana, Jenny, Amadi, Lexi, Oscar, Summer, Walter, Seattle, Squid, Alex, Oliver I, Pega, Oliver II, and Kendra—I am humbled that you were willing to share your stories with me. Thank you. Joshua