218,961 research outputs found
Migrant gay men: redefining community, restoring identity
No full textThis report presents the results of one of three studies examining the ways social and cultural factors shape gay male identity and influence gay male social life in London today (see also Keogh, Dodds, Henderson 2004; Keogh, Henderson, Dodds 2004). These studies aim to problematise monolithic and (we believe) unhelpful concepts such as ‘gay community’ or ‘gay scene’ and show how the population of gay men in London is riven with cultural, political and social differences.
It has often been said that ‘the gay community’ is an essentially White, middle-class concept which excludes men from different classes or ethnic backgrounds. This research shows that this is not the case. While the population of gay men in London is mainly White and British (as is the population of London), it is also as multi-ethnic and multi-cultural as the broader London population. Although we regularly celebrate the multi-culturalism of the capital, we rarely describe ‘the gay community’ in this way. As a result the many different ways of being gay that exist are not represented in health or social policy. It also implies that, so-called, excluded groups are never considered in such policy because they are somehow not ‘properly’ gay. As a consequence services for gay men remain woefully impoverished. Moreover, by speaking the language of inclusion and exclusion, we are condemned to always consider weakness as opposed to strength. There is an implicit assumption in nearly all research and policy work on gay men that to be within the charmed (White, middle-class) circle of the gay community is to be ‘included’ and therefore without need. It follows that, those outside are automatically ‘excluded’ and therefore, disadvantaged, weak or needy. These three reports will show that there is no paradigmatic gay experience or group. Rather, there are many ways of being gay, all of which are imbued with strengths as well as weaknesses.
The three reports which emerge from this collection of studies stand alone, but are best read in relation to each other. One examines the relationship between being less well-educated, working class and having a gay identity. Another investigates ethnic minority identity and gay identity (specifically examining the experience of British-born Black Carribean men and White Irish immigrants to London). This report examines the experiences of gay migrants to London.
Our aim in carrying out these studies is to change the way that health promoters and policy makers conceive of the gay male population. We want to challenge the dominant ‘centre versus periphery’ construction with a conception of the gay population of London as a composite of a range of different experiences; as fractured, antagonistic and constantly changing. Moreover, we want to show that the forces which account for these differences among gay men are larger social and structural factors: ethnicity, religion, education, class, income etc. To put it simply, no gay man is simply gay, he also has a class background, an ethnicity, an employment history, a family and probably a religious affiliation.
On a policy level, we hope to take gay men’s health and social concerns out of the policy ‘ghetto’ that is HIV and challenge community organisations to broaden their policy objectives. We feel they should be seeking to transform the education of all boys as well as increasing the capacity of all families to live with and enjoy their gay children; of all services to meet the needs of their gay users and of all communities to capitalise on the presence of their gay members. In seeking to do this, we have much to learn from the experiences of working class gay men, gay men from ethnic minorities and gay migrants
"Appearance potent"? A content analysis of UK gay and straight men's magazines.
No full textWith little actual appraisal, a more 'appearance potent' (i.e., a reverence for appearance ideals) subculture has been used to explain gay men's greater body dissatisfaction in comparison to straight men's. This study sought to assess the respective appearance potency of each subculture by a content analysis of 32 issues of the most read gay (Attitude, Gay Times) and straight men's magazines (Men's Health, FHM) in the UK. Images of men and women were coded for their physical characteristics, objectification and nudity, as were the number of appearance adverts and articles. The gay men's magazines featured more images of men that were appearance ideal, nude and sexualized than the straight men's magazines. The converse was true for the images of women and appearance adverts. Although more research is needed to understand the effect of this content on the viewer, the findings are consistent with a more appearance potent gay male subculture
“New gay lib battleground, U of M.” Gay Community News
No full text“New gay lib battleground, U of M.” Gay Community News, March 9, 1974 from LG MS0107 Karen Bye Papers, LGBTQ+ Collection, Jean byers Sampson Center for Diversity Maine, USM Special Collections.https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/wilde-stein-exhibit-documents/1016/thumbnail.jp
Defining the Gay Tourist Niche: Marketing and Ethical Considerations
No full textNiche tourism is associated with the differentiation, competitive advantage, and sustainability, of tourist destinations. However, limitations and moral implications of niche strategies have been raised. These apply particularly acutely to the gay tourist niche. Depth interviews reveal the ambivalence of gay individuals towards gay tourism. Sexuality appears an inadequate basis for distinguishing tourists. Gay tourism descriptions are perceived as stereotypes; unrepresentative and potentially insulting. The variety and multiplicity of tourism pursued by gay individuals is not recognised. Nor are concerns for the alienation, isolation, and stigmatisation, produced by gay tourist labels. The effectiveness and ethics of defining tourists based on sexuality, is therefore challenged
Gay men and suicidality : an exploration of the significant biographical experiences fore-grounded during childhood, adolescence and early adulthood of some gay men who have engaged in suicidality
No full textInternational epidemiological studies note that gay men are 4 times more likely to report a serious suicide attempt than their heterosexual counterparts. Data on completed suicides, usually derived from mortality statistics, misrepresent the rate of suicides amongst homosexual populations. However, an increasing number of studies comparing representative samples of gay, lesbian and bisexual youths with heterosexual controls, report increased rates of mental health problems and subsequent suicide among the homosexual population. Whilst current healthcare policy in England is concerned with suicides among young people, the importance of research findings relating to gay people and their mental health needs are often not acknowledged. Additionally, addressing the problem through a public health agenda, the juxtaposition of trying to reduce the rate of suicide among young gay men in a social climate of heterosexism often compounds the negative mental health consequences for this group of people. This thesis explores possible psychosocial experiences that might have contributed to the suicidality of four gay men. A qualitative approach, using single case studies, was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the individual's experience. This methodology was psychoanalytically informed, and used free association narrative interviewing as a means of data collection. Initial data analysis involved interpretation of the Gestalt of each of the case studies. Subsequent analysis explored the shared experiences that are to be found in each of the individual narratives. Thematically, these are described as 'knowing and not knowing', 'the centrality of the father-son relationship' 'the loneliness of 'outsiderness', 'leading a double life' and 'crime and punishment'. The exploration of the significance of the life, experiences these themes illustrated revealed why some gay men might not only experience long term mental health problems but also engage in suicidality. Individually and collectively the analyses provide important insights for health professionals becoming more attuned to specific aspects of a gay man's story and thus, as a consequence, providing sensitive mental health care, at a primary, secondary and tertiary level, to those who have a gay sexual orientation
Introduzione: Lo Zarathustra di Nietzsche : C. Jung e lo scandalo dell'inconscio
No full textIntruduzione ai contributi del volume che affrontano in una prospettiva interdisciplinare la lettura junghiana di "Così parlò Zarathustra" (Il complesso Nietzschiano di Jung, Dioniso e Wotan, Psicologia e Filosofia, I linguaggi dell'inconscio collettivo Nietzsche e Wagner)
Self-concept, resiliency, and identity factors among gay and lesbian individuals: a review and critique of the literature
No full textPlan BResearch on gay and lesbian youths is limited and developmental studies are rare. Currently, there is a limited amount of literature that focuses on the different paths of development which gay and lesbian individuals follow. To add to the complication of the developmental tasks as adolescents, gay and lesbian youth face even more confusion and difficulty because of a lack of social support from people in their community, peers, and family. Considering the fact that many gay and lesbian people experience some form of violence, discrimination, rejection, isolation, or harassment, it is important to know what factors contribute to the ability of gay and lesbian people to cope in times of stress. A review of literature shows that the development of gay and lesbian youths does not necessarily lead to self-destructive behavior when resilience factors are involved. It is also shown in the literature that having a positive attitude about the self as a gay person is critical for having a positive attitude toward self in general. The purpose of this study was to conduct an extensive research of the literature describing the factors that assist with gay and lesbian resiliency. Issues of self-concept and identity development were critiqued and conclusions from the research were drawn. Through the analysis of the literature, it was found that there are tremendous implications for mental health and school counselors. Counselors can be an excellent source of help for gay and lesbian individuals, but there are generally not enough sufficiently trained counselors to deal with adolescents and self-concept, identity, and resilient aspects of their lives. Comprehensive counseling training programs should incorporate grief, abandonment, shame, and loss issues. Future research is needed to examine the importance of self-esteem and how this research can assist in designing interventions to enhance self-esteem. Further investigation is also needed in relation to self-concept among gay and lesbian individuals. There is a need for studies of resilience to examine the ways in which combinations of factors may act to influence resilience. Finally, the role of siblings in the coming out process should be explored
Writing (gay and lesbian) wills
No full textThis article presents some of the findings of an empirical research project that explored writing wills for gay men and lesbians. The research aimed to examine the extent to which wills might contribute to sociological debates about alternative kinships and intimate citizenship. While the overarching aim of the project was an interest in the contents of the wills (which is to say the intentions of the testators), it also revealed the influence of the lawyers on the contents of the wills and the extent to which changes in legal practice in England have impacted on the place of will-drafting within the legal profession. Exploring this throws light on the extent to which wills express the authentic voice of a testator and raises questions about access to qualified will writers. Turning to the content of the wills, the place of ‘god children’ or children of friends’ is examined. While a very particular type of beneficiary, the focus provides a space for thinking more widely about the construction of the ‘inheritance families’ of gay men and lesbians
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