Information-Seeking Practices during the Sexual Development of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals: The Influence and Effects of Coming Out in a Mediated Environment

Abstract

Constructing a sexual identity is one of the major developmental tasks of adolescence. Applying the Media Practice Model, this study retrospectively examines how self-identifying lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals used media during the commencement of the coming-out process and the effects of media use during this pivotal time of development. Results indicate that the Internet plays a critical role in the development of LGB sexual identities. Heavy users of media during the coming-out process are significantly less likely to communicate openly with their families later in life. However, individuals' reports of loneliness and self-esteem are not affected. Conclusions suggest that mediated forms of communication can be beneficial for sexual exploration among LGB individuals.Keywords Sexual orientation Á Adolescent development Á Media effects Á Family communication Understanding and appreciating one's own sexuality can be an arduous process creating grief and complications for many adolescents. The case is especially true for individuals who realize their sexuality may not fit societal norms. Although adolescents spend a significant amount of time talking about sex and exploring sex in the media (Savin-Williams and Diamond 2004), using the media during sexual exploration could have consequences on the family structure. Research has systematically explored the ways in which family communication is related to media use (Wilson 2004), and how lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) adolescents utilize family communication when dealing with their sexuality (Feldman and Rosenthal 2002). Previous research has not, however, analyzed how each of these

Dead Lesbian Syndrome: LGBTQ fandom’s self-regulation mechanisms in fan-producer controversies around “The 100”

“…En este contexto, el Dead Lesbian Syndrome puede producir efectos perjudiciales sobre la audiencia lesbiana. Esto además contribuye a que, pese a ser una fuente importante de modelos para las personas LGBTI, los medios masivos tradicionales no siempre sirvan como fuente de información primaria para las personas LGBTI, principalmente debido a la falta de autoidentificación y a la escasez de contextos de validación (Bond et al, 2009). De este modo, internet se convierte para muchas personas no-heterosexuales en un espacio de significación donde negociar sus identidades y relaciones sociosexuales (Downing, 2013).…”

Seksuele communicatie en aan seksualiteit gerelateerd internetgebruik onder homo- en biseksuele jongeren

“…Amerikaans onderzoek laat zien dat het internet voor homo-en biseksuele jongeren een uitkomst biedt in het zoeken van informatie of sociale steun (Bond, Hefner, & Drogos, 2009;Hillier, & Harrison, 2007;Mitchell, Ybarra, Korchmaros, & Kosciw, 2014;Ybarra, Mitchell, Palmer, & Reisner, 2015). Omdat relatie-en sekspartners van het eigen geslacht minder in hun directe omgeving te vinden zijn, is de kans aanwezig dat homo-en biseksuele jongeren deze meer dan heterojongeren via het internet vinden (De Haan, Kuper, Magee, Bigelow, & Mustanski, 2013;Pingel, Bauermeister, Johns, Eisenberg, & Leslie-Santana, 2013).…”

“…Op internet kunnen zij gelijkgestemden vinden, zowel om advies en ervaringen te delen (Bond et al, 2009;Mitchell et al, 2014;Ybarra et al, 2015) als om relatie-en sekspartners te zoeken (De Haan et al, 2013;Pingel et al, 2013;McKie et al, 2015). Homo-en biseksuele jongeren waarderen digitale technologieën ook omdat internet hun een zekere mate van anonimiteit geeft (Doorduin & Van Lee, 2013).…”

Beforeplay: Family stories, teen and adult parents and sexual health communication.

“…Mufioz-Laboy et al (2009) adds that nonhetero youth report feeling they are under the "constant surveillance" (p. 331) of parents if they attempt to form nonhetero friendships or access information about nonhetero sexual identities. Youth negotiating nonhetero sexual identities are effected by this perceived rejection, showing depression (Bond, Hefner, & Drogos, 2009;Ryan, 2009), perceptions of personal failure (Shidlo & Schroeder, 2002) and higher likelihood of sexual risk behaviours (Haldeman, 2002;Ryan, 2009). Ryan (2009) adds, however, that "caregivers thought what they were doing would help their children have a better life, fit in, and be accepted by others" (p. 8) and that these actions come from a place of love for the youth.…”

“…Chee Mamuk (2010) Media can have a positive effect on developing a sexual self-concept and how that is communicated. Media sends a sex-positive message that people may find easy to relate to (Bond et al, 2009;Sutton et al, 2002;Soon, 2009), and also includes messages increasing positive expectations about sex (Fisher et al, 2009). However, media also delivers messages about sexual identity that may be detrimental to self-concept.…”