Coming Out Queer: A Narrative Reflection on Heterochristian Environmental Influences on Queer Identity Development and Disclosure
Abstract
Background: The current coming out literature discusses the relationship between society’s rejection of queer identities and how that plays into an individual’s understanding of themselves and when/if they disclose their identity. It is suggested that in communities and environments that are less welcoming and tolerant of queer identities and individuals, queer individuals feel more at risk and vulnerable in comparison to affirming areas with visible queer communities. Aim: This narrative study aimed to collect coming out stories and experiences of individuals from the heterochristian South to better understand how concentrations of rejection and hostility can impact a queer person’s understanding of their identity, as well as their disclosure process. Participants: Nine participants were recruited through snowball sampling, one male, one genderfluid individual, two non-binary individuals and five women who self-identified as a part of the queer community. Method: Participant stories were recorded via Zoom in one semi-structured interview, lasting up to 80 minutes. A narrative analysis was used to contextualize individual experiences and understand how these experiences interacted with Hecht’s Communication Theory of Identity (CTI). Analysis: The structural analysis shows that tolerance and affirming communities in the heterochristian United States South are intrinsically linked to early identify development and disclosure, whereas environments without tolerance individuals are less likely to realize their identity while in the community, thus delaying the disclosure process. Additionally, the stories construct an understanding of the multiplicities of coming out and the stages it can occur in. They spoke of their coming out story, before exploring the community narratives and their impact to identity development and disclosure. The use of CTI enhanced the understanding of the nuanced components of identity construction as they relate to individuals, groups, and relationships around them. Conclusion and Implications: Research literature demonstrates the direct impact that a community can have on an individual’s identity, as well as when they choose to disclose their authenticity to those around them. Socio-relational factors, such as heterochristian values being the only narrative, have to be considered a vital part of an individual’s identity and their ability to actualize it. This study isolated nine queer voices in order to amplify the understanding of how their environment impacted their relationship to their queerness.
Subject
communicationnarrative
sexual identity
LGBT
queer
coming out
heterochristian
United States South
identity development
identity disclosure
Citation
Hooks, Alyssa Jade (2022). Coming Out Queer: A Narrative Reflection on Heterochristian Environmental Influences on Queer Identity Development and Disclosure. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /198465.