When Does Sexuality Matter? Cross-cultural Analysis of Gay Identity

2020 ◽  
pp. 073112142095084
Author(s):  
Hubert Izienicki
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Cultural Analysis ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Gay Identity ◽  
Status Characteristics ◽  
Cultural Climate ◽  
Timing Of Migration ◽  
Subjective Importance ◽  
Depth Interviews

Many scholars have studied migrant gay men, but few have examined the changing salience (i.e., a subjective importance a person attributes to a particular identity) of sexual identity across cultural contexts. Drawing on 45 in-depth interviews, this study investigates the experiences of two groups of Polish migrant gay men—one that migrated from various parts of Poland to Warsaw, and one that emigrated from Poland to Chicago—to examine the differences in their respective sexual identity salience. I find that the interaction of the cultural climate, structural factors, and respondents’ individual status characteristics can better account for between- and in-group differences among the Chicago and Warsaw men. Respondent’s occupation, educational attainment, work environment, race, same-sex experiences before migration, the timing of migration, and English langue fluency variably affected how and when sexual identity mattered to these men.

scholarly journals Identity Collision: Older Gay Men Using Technology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avi Marciano ◽  
Galit Nimrod
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Gay Identity ◽  
Cultural Constructs ◽  
Gay Male ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Older Gay Men ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract This study examines identity work among older gay men in relation to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It draws on the notion of IT identity—the extent to which individuals experience technology as integral to their sense of selves—to explore how their homosexuality and advanced age shape their relationships with technology. Applying thematic analysis to 17 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with gay male users aged 66–81, we show that while homosexuality and technology enable and reinforce one another, the relationship between technology and advanced age can be better defined by alienation and estrangement. Consequently, we argue that technology constitutes a crossroads at which the gay and elder identities intersect and collide. In this sense, technology is similar to other cultural constructs, like sexuality, that challenge the merger of advanced age and homosexuality, rendering the older gay identity almost impossible.

scholarly journals SELF-EFFICACY AND THE PROCESS OF GAY SEXUAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT AMONG GAY MEN IN MALAYSIA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmella E. Ading ◽  
◽  
Aminuddin Ibrahim Lastar ◽  
Getrude Cosmas Ahgang ◽  
Mohammad Hashim Othman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Gay Identity ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
The Government ◽  
Sex Orientation

"The development of gay identity sexual among Malaysian gay men were not discussed openly in this country. This is because the government do not approve same sex orientation lifestyle. However, gay men exist in many communities in this country and they are living freely as a citizen and work in the country like others. Malaysia is one of the countries that openly against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Queer (LGBTQ). Nevertheless, they continue to develop their sexual identity as a part of their lives which at the same time causes a great distress in them. Thus, their decision to identify themselves as gays takes huge courage and effort. These courage and effort were found not only just intricately, since it involves emotional and social support from their family, friends and communities. It is also believed that this social support might help gay men to develop their self-efficacy as well. Therefore, it is in the interest of the researchers to explore about self-efficacy by looking at emotional and social support they received and its relation to the development of sexual identity among the gay men who lives in Malaysia. In this qualitative research, semi structured questions were developed to explore sexual identity development among the gay men. Six (6) respondents who have identified themselves as gay, aged between 21- 44 years old, from different walk of life were interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Our study has found that emotional and social support, are the important factors that contribute to their self-efficacy and help them in developing their sexual identity."

Coming out ‘softly’

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Pak
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Gay Identity ◽  
Ethnographic Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Familial Obligations

Given the social stigmatisation and legal disadvantages faced by gay men in Singapore, there is a general hesitance to be open about one’s gay identity for fear of discrimination and possible prosecution. The logic of illiberal pragmatism is taken up by the Singaporean government as a mode of governance that simultaneously constrains and frees its citizens, which forces its gay citizens to straddle the expression of their sexual identity and a sense of duty to their families. This same tension is found in gay men’s reflections on the coming out process. In ethnographic interviews conducted with 15 Singaporean gay men, concerns arise about the perceived strength and directness of coming out alongside the need to satisfy familial obligations. In response to these concerns, gay Singaporeans have adopted a ‘soft’ approach to coming out that aligns with national illiberal pragmatism. Di Singapura, ada ramai yang rasa curiga untuk menyebarluaskan identiti gay mereka kerana takut dikejam dan didakwa. Ini diakibatkan penindasan dalam masyarakat dan kekurangan perlindungan dari segi hukum yang dihadapi oleh golongan gay. Pemerintah Singapura menggunakan logik pragmatisme yang tidak liberal (‘illiberal pragmatism’) sebagai alat pemerintahan yang saling mengekang dan membebas warganya. Penggunaan logik ini memaksa warga negara gaynya untuk memilih antara menyebarluaskan orientasi seksual mereka atau memenuhi kewajiban keluarga. Pilihan sukar ini sering dibentangkan oleh lelaki-lelaki gay dalam renungan mereka tentang proses melela (‘coming out’). Dalam wawancara etnografi dengan 15 lelaki gay Singapura, kebimbangan mengenai keberkesanan proses melela dan tekanan memenuhi tanggungjawab keluarga kerap timbul. Sebagai pembalasan terhadap kebingungan tersebut, warga negara gay Singapura melela menggunakan cetak biru yang ‘lembut’ dan selaras dengan logik pragmatisme Singapura.

scholarly journals Identity Threat and Coping Among British South Asian Gay Men During the COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rusi Jaspal
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Sexual Risk Taking ◽  
Gay Identity ◽  
Identity Threat ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Sexual Encounters ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis study focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on identity, relationships and psychological wellbeing among British South Asian gay men (BSAGM). Interview data from 15 BSAGM were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis and identity process theory. The analysis yielded the following three themes: (1) Fear of involuntary disclosure of gay identity; (2) Anxiety about relationships; and (3) Coping and casual sexual encounters. BSAGM who returned to the family home during the lockdown reported fear of involuntary disclosure of their sexual identity, exposure to stigma in relation to their sexuality, and anxiety about their relationships with significant others. In order to cope with the resultant threats to identity, some individuals concealed their sexual identity, which could undermine their sense of identity authenticity, and some reported engaging in casual sexual encounters as a means of coping with identity threat. BSAGM may be at high risk of identity threat during the COVID-19 outbreak with limited access to social and psychological support in relation to their sexuality. This in turn may lead to a reliance on ineffective coping strategies, such as sexual risk-taking.

scholarly journals Cypriot Gay Men’s Accounts of Negotiating Cultural and Sexual Identity: A Qualitative Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-83
Author(s):  
Constantinos N Phellas
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Gay Identity ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Cultural Concepts ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Personal Accounts ◽  
Turkish Cypriot

This paper examines some of the key cultural concepts and relevant historical factors that may shape the development of Anglo-Cypriot gay identity. Accounts of sexual identity experiences provided by second generation Greek and Turkish Cypriot gay men in London are examined in the light of this analysis to explore how these men negotiate Anglo-Cypriot and gay identity. Twenty-eight self-identified second generation Greek and Turkish gay men living in London were recruited by advertising in the gay press, by writing to community groups, and gay groups and organizations and by “snowballing.” In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with those men recruited through these channels. Data were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. The personal accounts of these men demonstrate that their sexual identity does not always become their primary identity and that different identities are constructed by individuals at different places and times. Most men indicated that the translation of their sexual desires and behaviors into the “political statement” of gay identity is not only difficult but is strongly resisted. Instead they chose to construct their identity in terms of their relationships with their families, their peers at work and other members of their community. The findings of this research may help develop an understanding of the complexities surrounding the “sexual and cultural” identities of Anglo-Cypriot gay men, thereby reinforcing the notion that identity is multiple, contested and contextual.

Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Identity Development of Korean Gay Men

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Seok Seo ◽  
Mina Cho ◽  
Juno Park ◽  
Min-Sun Kim ◽  
Dongil Kim
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Sexuality, Gender, and Religious Attendance

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Wilcox
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Religious Involvement ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
Religious Attendance ◽  
Transgendered People ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
The Life Course

Existing research on religious organizations serving lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered people has noted a dearth of women in such congregations but has offered little explanation for this phenomenon. Working from a study conducted with 29 lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered women in the greater Los Angeles area, this paper demonstrates that race and ethnicity, feminism, a concern for LGBT rights, and interaction between the life-course patterns of religion and sexual identity influenced participants’ decisions about religious involvement. These results, while not generalizable, indicate the need for a nuanced understanding of both religious practice and identity in larger studies of gender, sexuality, and religious attendance.

Out in Time

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perry N. Halkitis
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
Three Generations ◽  
American Society

The life experiences and sexual identity development of three generations of gay men, the Stonewall, AIDS, and Queer generations, are explored. While there are generational differences in the lived experiences of young gay men shaped by the sociopolitical contexts of the historical epoch in which they emerged into adulthood, and a crisis that has come to define each generation, there also are consistencies across generations and across time in the psychological process of coming out that defines identity formation of gay men, as these individuals transition from a period of sexual identity awareness to sexual identity integration. The life experiences are also shaped by conceptions of hypermasculinity, racism and discrimination, substance use, and adventurous sexuality. Despite the many challenges that have defined the lives of gay men across time and that are informed by the homophobia of American society, the vast majority of the population also has demonstrated resilience and fortitude in achieving both pride and dignity. These ideas are explored through the life narratives of fifteen diverse gay men, across the three generations.

Fun with Dick and Dick: Homosociality on r/MassiveCock

Sexualities ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136346072096130
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Bury ◽  
Lee Easton
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
Gay Identity ◽  
Cultural Shift ◽  
Content Sharing ◽  
And Function ◽  
Selection Of

Social media and content-sharing platforms provide new opportunities for the circulation of not only professional and amateur porn productions but also “pornographic self-representation”. This study examines the interactions that occur when male pornographic self-representation is shared in an inclusive space that welcomes both straight and gay men to post dick pics and gaze/comment on them. Focusing on the Reddit forum, Massive Cock, we conducted a discourse analysis of a selection of posts, comments and account profiles collected over a seven-month period. Based on our findings, we contend that Massive is a homosocial space where homoerotic dick gazing reaffirms and disrupts the heterosexual–homosexual binary. Our findings point to an uneven dynamic in which the majority of the posters perform a straight identity, whereas the majority of commenters perform a gay identity. Their comments serve to disrupt hegemonic masculinity and, in turn, create a space that welcomes mostly straight and bi-curious performances of masculinity. Such performances are possible due to recent cultural shift away from homo-hysteria and towards a more inclusive heteromasculinity. Collectively these performances produce an inclusive “fraternity of the cock”, but it is one which maintains a heterocentric focus and function.

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