Coming Out of Glass Closets

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-43
Author(s):  
Abigail C. Saguy
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Negative Stereotypes

This chapter discusses coming out as fat. It shows how fat lesbian feminists, who were already steeped in talk of coming out as lesbian, first extrapolated from that experience to talk of coming out as fat. It argues that coming out as fat is less about disclosing one’s size than refusing to downplay it in the hopes that others will not notice it. It means politicizing body size in order to challenge negative stereotypes and stand up against weight-based oppression. This chapter uses the case of coming out as fat to consider the broader question of the role visibility plays in coming out. It argues that coming out has never been only about revealing a hidden identity. It is about proudly reclaiming this identity. Thus community and pride—and not just disclosure—are an integral part of coming out.

scholarly journals Pride parades and prejudice: Visibility of Roma and LGBTI communities in post-socialist Europe

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidan McGarry
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Group Identity ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Public Life ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Marginalised Groups ◽  
Pride Parades ◽  
The One ◽  
Minority Interests

This article argues that public space is important for marginalised communities in order to ensure visibility and presence in public life. Often minority groups are excluded from democratic procedures which favour majority interests and preferences. This is not to say that minority interests are incompatible with those of the majority but some marginalised groups are not anchored in public space, can suffer discriminatory treatment and lack the ability to control dominant, usually negative, ascriptions of group identity. This article explores two cases of marginalised communities and access to public space in post-socialist Europe: Roma and the LGBTI communities. Both communities have attempted to ensure their presence in public space through ‘Pride’ parades across Central and Eastern European capitals. The purpose of pride parades is to demand rights as citizens, such as equality and respect, and to ensure visibility in public life. On the one hand, visibility is important for LGBTI communities who remain relatively hidden and fear ‘coming out’. On the other hand, for Roma, who are highly visible, pride offers an opportunity to harness this visibility to challenge prevailing negative stereotypes through an affirmation of group identity.

scholarly journals Relationships between parents’ perception of their own body and body size stereotyping in preschool children

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-254
Author(s):  
Narcisa Ursu ◽  
◽  
Violeta Enea
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Thin Body ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Restrictive Eating

Objectives. Body size attitudes and body image dissatisfaction develop in early childhood. The aim of the study was to examine to which extent parental body size attitudes, internalization of the gender-appropriate, socially-acceptable beauty standards, and body dissatisfaction shape the attitudes of their children towards overweight peers, and the image that they have of their own body. Sample and settings. The authors interviewed 73 preschool and school children and their parents in mother-daughter and father-son dyads evaluating corresponding constructs. Hypotheses. The authors hypothesized that preschool-age boys and girls would exhibit a positive attitude towards the thin silhouettes and a negative attitude towards overweight ones. Statistical analysis. The chi-square tests of homogeneity were used to verify the percentage, with which characteristics were attributed to the five silhouettes and also to verify the hypothesis regarding children's negative stereotypes. The multiple linear regression model that includes maternal attitude towards overweight people, body dissatisfaction, restrictive eating behavior, and internalization of the thin body ideal has been used to explore the link between body size attitudes in mothers and daughters. Results. Statistical analysis indicated that children as young as 4 years old hold prejudice against their overweight peers by attributing them a small percent of positive characteristics and a greater percentage of negative characteristics. Motherʼs body size attitude and restrictive eating behavior were associated with daughter prejudices. Paternal body size attitudes and body dissatisfaction predicted their sonʼs body size attitudes. Limitations. The procedure used to assess childrenʼs body dissatisfaction and the limited group of participants were the limitations of this study.

Introduction

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Abigail C. Saguy
Keyword(s):  
Coming Out ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Undocumented Immigrant ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Youth Movement ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Plural Marriage ◽  
Depth Interviews

This chapter argues that coming out has become what sociologists call a “master frame,” a way of understanding the world that is sufficiently elastic and inclusive that a wide range of social movements can use it in their own campaigns. It introduces five movements that are the focus of the book—(1) the American lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) rights movement; (2) the fat acceptance movement; (3) the undocumented immigrant youth movement; (4) the plural-marriage family movement among Mormon fundamentalist polygamists; and (5) the #MeToo movement. It reviews the data and methods that form the basis of the book—participant observation, textual analysis, and 146 in-depth interviews. It argues that disparate groups use coming out to challenge negative stereotypes and overcome oppression, and that the close association of coming out with gay people informs the meaning of the term in other contexts. It previews the subsequent chapters.

scholarly journals Relationships between parents’ perception of their own body and body size stereotyping in preschool children

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-254
Author(s):  
Narcisa Ursu ◽  
◽  
Violeta Enea
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Thin Body ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Restrictive Eating

Objectives. Body size attitudes and body image dissatisfaction develop in early childhood. The aim of the study was to examine to which extent parental body size attitudes, internalization of the gender-appropriate, socially-acceptable beauty standards, and body dissatisfaction shape the attitudes of their children towards overweight peers, and the image that they have of their own body. Sample and settings. The authors interviewed 73 preschool and school children and their parents in mother-daughter and father-son dyads evaluating corresponding constructs. Hypotheses. The authors hypothesized that preschool-age boys and girls would exhibit a positive attitude towards the thin silhouettes and a negative attitude towards overweight ones. Statistical analysis. The chi-square tests of homogeneity were used to verify the percentage, with which characteristics were attributed to the five silhouettes and also to verify the hypothesis regarding children's negative stereotypes. The multiple linear regression model that includes maternal attitude towards overweight people, body dissatisfaction, restrictive eating behavior, and internalization of the thin body ideal has been used to explore the link between body size attitudes in mothers and daughters. Results. Statistical analysis indicated that children as young as 4 years old hold prejudice against their overweight peers by attributing them a small percent of positive characteristics and a greater percentage of negative characteristics. Motherʼs body size attitude and restrictive eating behavior were associated with daughter prejudices. Paternal body size attitudes and body dissatisfaction predicted their sonʼs body size attitudes. Limitations. The procedure used to assess childrenʼs body dissatisfaction and the limited group of participants were the limitations of this study.

It Gets Better Videos for Suicide Prevention in LGBTIQ+ Adolescents

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Kirchner ◽  
Benedikt Till ◽  
Martin Plöderl ◽  
Thomas Niederkrotenthaler
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
German Language ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Characteristics Method ◽  
Sexual Orientations ◽  
It Gets Better Project

Abstract. Background: The It Gets Better project aims to help prevent suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) adolescents. It features personal video narratives portraying how life gets better when struggling with adversities. Research on the contents of messages is scarce. Aims: We aimed to explore the content of videos in the Austrian It Gets Better project regarding the representation of various LGBTIQ+ groups and selected content characteristics. Method: A content analysis of all German-language videos was conducted ( N = 192). Messages related to coming out, stressors experienced, suicidal ideation/behavior, and on how things get better were coded. Results: Representation was strong for gay men ( n = 45; 41.7%). Coming out to others was mainly positively framed ( n = 31; 46.3%) and seen as a tool to make things better ( n = 27; 37.5%). Social support ( n = 42; 62.7%) and self-acceptance ( n = 37; 55.2%) were prevalent topics. Common stressors included a conservative setting ( n = 18, 26.9%), and fear of outing ( n = 17; 25.4%). Suicidality ( n = 9; 4.7%) and options to get professional help ( n = 7; 8.2%) were rarely addressed. Limitations: Only aspects explicitly brought up in the videos were codeable. Conclusion: Videos do not fully represent gender identities and sexual orientations. Messaging on suicidality and professional help require strengthening to tailor them better for suicide prevention.

Coming Out Is a Family Affair

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-79
Author(s):  
Bertram J. Cohler ◽  
Mathew R. Bahnson
Keyword(s):  
Coming Out
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