Chasm of Riddles: The Breadth & Depth of Sexual Orientation Disclosure
The previous article enlightened us that other than uncertainty and anxiety, there are situational, relational, family, and personal factors that drive Filipino LGBTQ+ parents to disclose their sexual orientation.
In the next installment of this research article series, we will learn the extent and profundity of topics LGBTQ+ parents incorporate in their disclosure message.
From a Theoretical Standpoint
The researchers were guided by Li’s (2018) Theory of Coming Out Message Production (COMP) in viewing the study problem from a communication stance.
Through COMP, the researchers assumed that sexual orientation disclosure is process-oriented, goal-driven, and “inherently dialectical” (Petronio, 2002, as cited by Li, 2018), as manifested in how LGBTQ+ parents immerse in intrapersonal and interpersonal interaction.
The intrapersonal phase is supposed to provide LGBTQ+ parents a juncture to assess their disclosure message through the message predictors. Once the LGBTQ+ parents have discerned the disclosure decision and extent of outness, they proceed to the interpersonal level, where they verbally and nonverbally communicate their sexual orientation.
The message parameters, namely message intimacy, disclosure topics, disclosure duration, and emotional expressions, catalog the actual disclosure message. Li (2018) noted no correlation among the four but argued that they correspond to one another as they set the baseline of interpersonal interaction during sexual orientation disclosure.
Herewith, this study’s third objective aimed to discover the processes involved in sexual orientation disclosure as guided by the message parameters.
The Dual Dance: Abyss & Horizons
In the study context, “disclosure topics” pertain to the “breadth” of subjects revealed by the LGBTQ+ parents during the actual disclosure proper. Concurrently, the researchers defined “message intimacy” as the “depth” of the disclosure conversation between LGBTQ+ parent and their immediate family members.
Results suggested that in communicating sexual orientation, LGBTQ+ parents incorporated diverse topics, such as sexual orientation, same-sex partners, the LGBTQ+ community, and risks associated with being a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Firstly, LGBTQ+ parents tackled their sexual orientation during disclosure. Manning (2014) deemed that having sexual orientation as a disclosure topic is beneficial to the discloser and receiver since it is a note element for validity, visibility, respect, support, and relationship maintenance.
On the other hand, in deepening the disclosure message intimacy, LGBTQ+ parents shared intimate details about their romantic relationship, which included former and current same-sex partner’s residence, current conditions, occupations, and relationship attitudes. The researchers analyzed that the depth of the conversation about romantic relationships during disclosure signified the desire to legitimize and kindle a healthy relationship (Kurdek, 2005, as cited by Farr et al., 2021).
However, details such as sexual longings, sexual behavior, and sexual history were untrailed during disclosure since immediate family members respect the LGBTQ+ parent’s boundaries and privacy. This contrasted Li’s (2018) outline of message intimacy, wherein it was postulated that matters such as sexual longings, sexual behaviors, and sexual history were also part of message intimacy.
Progressing the discussion on message intimacy, LGBTQ+ parents received relationship advice on balancing same-sex relationships and fulfilling parental responsibilities from immediate family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. It is foundational to provide advice to LGBTQ+ individuals during disclosure since it is a channel to receive familial support (Charmarman et al., 2020), stifle “psychological pain,” assist in weakening internalized homophobia, encourage informed decision-making, and promote self-acceptance (Gamboni, 2019).
The disclosure topic also included the LGBTQ+ community and risks associated with being part of the community. Accordingly, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were involved in the disclosure, and the conversation included reminders to stay safe when engaging in same-sex acts.
Coakley et al. (2017) argued that it is significant to touch family sexual communication during disclosure to guide LGBTQ+ individuals regarding sexual health outcomes, sexual abstinence, sexual initiation, and safe sex. Respectively, American Psychological Association (2008) propounded that family sexual communication is a compass to boost public health outcomes and debunk misconceptions about HIV/AIDS in the domestic setting.
Lastly, the results showed extensive conversation during disclosure regarding terms under the LGBTQ+ initialism and specifics of one’s SOGIE (i.e., clothing choices, romantic preferences, and potential medical surgeries to undergo). From a sociocultural lens, Filipino LGBTQ+ individuals engage in a comprehensive SOGIE discussion, mainly with heterosexuals, since there appears to be a “lack of social construction of gender and sexuality” in the Philippines (Tan, 1995a, 1995b, 1998; Ofreneo, 2001, 2003, as cited by Ceperiano et al., 2016).
Supplementarily, Ceperiano et al. (2016) presumed that the overlapping concepts and insufficient designation of lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and other terminologies in the public discourse system amplify why LGBTQ+ individuals are frequently misunderstood, especially in a religious country like the Philippines (Reyes, 2022 & Smith, 2018).
Considering the study results, the researchers concluded that the LGBTQ+ parent’s perceived relationship quality and satisfaction with the message receiver is related to the profoundness of the disclosure message. Moreover, sexual orientation disclosure deepens if the discloser initiates the disclosure.
Conversely, sexual orientation disclosure is also a platform to facilitate LGBTQ+ community awareness within the familial setting.
Now that we are aware of the breadth and depth of sexual orientation disclosure, does it ever drive you curious how long these disclosures take and what emotions disclosers show during the disclosure proper?
Stay tuned to the next article to know more!
References:
American Psychological Association. (2008). Understanding sexual orientation and homosexuality. American Psychological Association. Retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/orientation
Ceperiano, A. M., Santos, E., Jr., Alonzo, D. C. P., & Ofreneo, M. A. (2016). “Girl, Bi, Bakla, Tomboy”: The Intersectionality of Sexuality, Gender, and Class in Urban Poor Contexts. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 49(2). https://www.pap.ph/assets/files/journals/girl-bi-bakla-tomboy-the-intersectionality-of-sexuality-gender-and-class-in-urban-poor-conte.pdf
Charmaraman, L., Grossman, J. M., & Richer, A. M. (2020). Same-Sex Attraction Disclosure and Sexual Communication Topics within Families. Journal of GLBT family studies, 17(2), 118–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/1550428x.2020.1820414
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