'Coming Out' or 'Staying In': Exploring Ethnic-Minority Perspectives on Self-Disclosure

• In Event: Scholar to Scholar I
  In Paper Session: Confronting Heteronormative Discourse: Perspectives on GLTB identity struggles

Abstract

Homosexuality is a contemporary issue that continues to receive a great deal of attention from academic research and mainstream media. Despite widespread attention directed at sexuality issues in relationships and the increasing examination of sexual minorities, the research devoted to bisexuals and homosexuals from ethnic-minority groups remains scant. This paper addresses this lack, it examines bisexual and homosexual ethnic minorities and takes a more diverse perspective on the existing body of research on sexual minorities by studying Latino/a and African American individuals. Disapproval of bisexual and homosexual individuals within particular ethnic-minority cultures may be more intense than homophobic views found in the dominant White community. Thus, ethnic-minority individuals may feel compelled to hide their sexual orientation as a result of heterosexist oppression, in order to avoid discrimination and stigmatization they may choose to remain in the "closet" rather than openly express their sexual identity. Choosing to remain closeted or express one's sexual orientation is an issue of self-disclosure that forms the basis of this qualitative study. This project focuses on the process of disclosure, the factors that influence the decision to disclose one's sexuality, as well as the particular strategies these individuals employ in disclosing their sexual orientation within their ethnic-minority communities.

Author

• Tiara Naputi, University of Texas, Austin