“I’m Out Here Living My Best Life. Hallelujah on Being Queer!”: A Qualitative Exploration of the Coming Out Process Among Formerly Incarcerated LGBTQ+ People

• In Event: Partners in Crime: Qualitative Methods in Life Course Criminological Research

Abstract

There are a variety of experiences that LGBTQ+ people encounter during their coming out process. However, little is known about the impact of coming out on offending and desistance trajectories. To better understand this, the current study explores the coming out process of 25 formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ people, using data from life history interviews. This qualitative work considers (1) the recognition and understanding of LGBTQ+ identity, (2) the factors that shape it, (3) the links between coming out, offending, and desistance, and (4) coming out experiences within criminal legal contexts. Findings demonstrate diverse experiences with coming out across the life-course, which were shaped by generational and religious forces. Findings indicated that coming out functioned as a developmental turning point in three main ways, including increases and decreases in offending. Further, coming out within criminal legal contexts was met with discrimination. This study demonstrates the impact queer turning points have on the offending and desistance trajectories of LGBTQ+ people and presents opportunities for future research to obtain a deeper understanding of the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the criminal legal system. This article further illuminates the need for better policies, especially in carceral environments, that protect and create space for LGBTQ+ people to develop and thrive in their identities.

Author

• Skyler Morgan, California State University, Long Beach