Family Dynamics Following Disclosure as LGB: A Narratology

Abstract

This article describes a qualitative project, utilizing a narratology approach, to explore the experiences of five participants identified as belonging to two distinct families whose son and daughter identified as gay and bisexual (GB). Respondents in this study included the GB-identified son and daughter and their parents, to explore the impact of the disclosure process within families in the Southwestern United States. Both families expressed different types of experiences following the disclosure, which provide case studies toward family interventions. Implications for counseling practice and future research will be explored.

Counseling Twins: A Family Counseling Issue

“…In addition to the unique concerns twins encounter, this case example explored a special concern of family dynamics following a family member disclosing that they are a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This case depicted the concerns of family members and demonstrated that “perhaps the self-identification as a family of an LGB person is not the result of a single specific occurrence, but instead is an ongoing process that families undergo” (Goodrich, Trahan, & Brammer, 2019, p. 128). Because of the family counselor’s understanding of these unique concerns about twins’ experiences, they can more fully create a treatment plan that appropriately addresses twins’ needs.…”

An overview of coming out research: Introducing a three‐lens typology

“…LGBTQ+ youth's 30 experiences of coming out to their parents-both, from the perspective of the child (e.g., Cramer & Roach, 1988;Enck et al, 1984;Potoczniak et al, 2009;Rossi, 2010;Savin-Williams, 1989;Švab, 2016) and parent (e.g., Alpaslan et al, 2014;Butauski & Horstman, 2020;Mirkovic & Jerkovic, 2021)-and explored parents' reactions and acceptance development of their child's coming out (e.g., Cassar & Sultana, 2021;Chrisler, 2017;Drumm et al, 2021;Goodrich & Ginicola, 2017;Jaspal, 2020;Mayeza, 2021;Pullen Sansfaçon et al, 2020;van Bergen et al, 2020). Acceptance development and similar terms such as 'family adjustment' or 'acceptance journey' refer to findings that suggest that despite common parental reactions of shock, surprise, confusion, and stress (Ghosh, 2020) that can lead to negative consequences for the disclosing individual, 31 initial negative parental reactions can develop into acceptance and support.…”

“…9 For overviews of these and later homosexuality development models see Bilodeau and Renn (2005), Eliason and Schope (2007), and Goodrich and Ginicola (2017). 10 In the tradition of Foucault, the 19 th century of the West is considered the birth time and place of 'the homosexual'.…”

“…31 31 These consequences range from changed family dynamics (Goodrich et al., 2019; Jenkins, 2008; Trahan & Goodrich, 2015), to being forced back into a now transparent closet (Béres‐Deák, 2011; Kuhar, 2011; Švab, 2016; Švab & Kuhar, 2005, 2014) ‘where a child's homosexual orientation is acknowledged within the family but is not further discussed’ (Švab & Kuhar, 2014, p. 19), to homophobic abuse (Alan & Robinson, 2010; Khan & Lowe, 2020) and homelessness (Castellanos, 2016; Tierney & Ward, 2017). …”

Family religiosity, support, and psychological well-being for sexual minority atheist individuals.

“…For families who are religious, such beliefs can hold great importance in determining the levels of support extended to LGBQ family members who deviate from the dominant faith; for example, in a recent qualitative study of family acceptance, one participant from a Latter-Day Saint (LDS) family stated that he had more conflicts arise from his decision to eschew LDS faith and explore Wicca than to come out as gay (Goodrich et al, 2019). That said, religious contexts may also be rife with stigma and rejection of sexual minority people (Gibbs & Goldbach, 2015; Yarhouse et al, 2009).…”