Queering Ideas: Using Qualitative Findings on Gay and Lesbian Families to Modify Existing Theory

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Queering Ideas Using Qualitative Findings on Gay
and Lesbian Families to Modify Existing Theory

• Michael C. LaSala, Ph.D., LCSW
• Rutgers University
• mlasala_at_rci.rutgers.edu

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Goals of Qualitative Research

• Thick Descriptions of Complex Processes
• Theoretical/Conceptual Development
• Hypotheses
• Modification of Etic Theories using Emic
  Perspectives.

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Purposes for LGBT Research

• Can be used to modify existing ideas/theories to
  reflect LGBT lives and experiences.
• Findings on LGBT lives may have import for other
  groups.

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Methods

• A systematic, replicable analysis of the data.
• Inclusion of rich, descriptive detail.
• Minimization of investigator bias and social
  desirability.
• Findings must be tentatively presented.

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Family Influences on Gay Youths High Risk
Behavior

• (Bowen and others) As youths mature
• Balance of autonomy and connection
• Supported by family to do so
• Separation of thoughts and feelings
• Behavior is guided by rational thinking.

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Gay Male Youth

• High incidences of HIV infection.
• High incidences of unprotected anal sex.
• Little or no information on the family as a
  factor in HIV prevention.
• Myths that gay youth are not out or are
  estranged from their families.

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Findings

• In-depth interviews of 30 gay male youth
• Gay youth from functional families reported a
  sense of obligation to their parents to avoid
  HIV.
• Youth from families with histories of parental
  mental illness, substance abuse, divorce, and/or
  rejection denied parental influence.
• Except for those with very close parental
  monitoring.

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Implications

• Researchers need to consider family
  factors/influences on gay youths safer sex
  behaviors.
• Practitioners should (carefully) consider
  including parents in HIV prevention for this
  population.

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Family Development

• Marriage Ritual
• Realignment of boundaries and priorities
• Pitfall of Developmental Phase
• Distancing
• Hiding-Sublimating
• Projection
• Emotional Triangles

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Intergenerational Boundaries of Gay and Lesbian
Couples (Findings)

• In-depth interviews of 40 gay and lesbian
  couples.
• Importance of prioritizing relationships with
  parents over those with partners.
• Gay men were more distant from parents.
• Lesbians sought more intergenerational
  closenesseven if it meant avoiding discussion of
  lesbianism with parents or parental disapproval
  with partner.

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Implications

• Family practitioners need to consider that, due
  to parental disapproval/negativity, healthy
  intergenerational boundaries might be different
  for gay and lesbian couples.

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Gay Male Couples and Outside Sex

• Many gay male couples are nonmonogamous.
• Violates accepted norms re intimacy, commitment,
  and sex.

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Findings

• In-depth interviews with 65 Coupled Gay Men
• Monogamous
• Sex and Commitment are intertwined
• Fear of HIV
• Avoidance of Jealousy and Competition

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Findings (cont.)

• Nonmonogamous Couples
• Separate Sex and Commitment
• Need for Adventure and Independence
• Rules
• Safe Sex
• Tell/Dont Tell
• Time, Place, Location, Frequency
• Three-ways Only

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Implications

• Sex and commitment might not always be
  connectedfor gay men and perhaps for others.

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Possible Transferability Findings

• Feelings of obligation to parents to stay healthy
  and safe might be a manifestation of
  differentiation/healthy autonomy and perhaps
  should be encouraged by family practitioners.
• Healthy intergenerational boundaries for
  couples may vary depending on gender, parental
  disapproval, and intergenerational strain.
• There might be options (other than sexual
  monogamy) for not only gay male but other types
  of relationships.