From Mom and Dad to Beyond: Exploring the Spectrum of Gender Studies
Have you ever wondered what would happen if your heterosexual partner or a parent of yours unexpectedly disclosed that they are non-heterosexual? How do you think they would communicate their sexuality to you?
We only know the surface level of these stories from celebrities like Ogie Diaz and Caitlyn Jenner, the paternal figure of Kendall and Kylie Jenner. However, their experiences in disclosing their sexual orientation to their immediate families remain uncharted in scholarly literature.
Ladies and Gentlemen… Her, Him, Them: LGBTQ+ Unveiled
In traditional views, gender has long been associated with defining individuals as either male or female. Nevertheless, the understanding of gender has evolved to acknowledge a broader spectrum of identities. Gender is now recognized as a social construct that shapes people’s perceptions, behaviors, interactions, and the distribution of power and resources within society, influencing their roles, behaviors, and identities (Heideri et al., 2016).
As society continues to progress, so does the exploration of gender identities. The LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) community has emerged as a result of social and political activism.
This community represents a diverse coalition of groups based on their gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities, 2014).
Within this community, each identity is linked to a corresponding SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression), which encompasses their sexual and gender concepts of self. Contrary to popular belief, every human being possesses a SOGIE due to the overlapping spectrums of gender and sexual identities that exist together (Jacobson & Joel, 2018). Therefore, it is crucial to understand everyone’s sexuality to grasp their complete sense of self.
The Hows and Whys of Sexual Orientation Disclosure
The term “coming out” is criticized as heterocentric as it implies that LGBTQ+ individuals are stepping out of society’s norms for awareness. It is important to recognize that the process of disclosure is subjective and varies for each LGBTQ+ person, leading to different outcomes.
Disclosure of sexual orientation is intended for the LGBTQ+ community, and therefore, it should only occur voluntarily, free from pressure or fear. Those who choose to disclose their sexual orientation have their reasons for doing so. Rosati et al. (2020) argued that disclosure is crucial for integrating one’s identity and has a significant impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals.
There are two ways in which disclosure can occur: intrapersonal and interpersonal. Intrapersonal disclosure involves individuals developing a personal LGBTQ+ identity without disclosing it to their family or establishing social and intimate relationships, as outlined in the life span model of sexual identity development by D’Augelli (1994) and referenced by Bilodeau & Renn (2005) and Mills-Koonce et al. (2018). On the other hand, interpersonal disclosure takes place when individuals choose to disclose their sexual orientation and gender identity to others.
Although, compelling factors can drive LGBTQ+ individuals to reveal their sexual orientation to others. Internalized expectations regarding their sexual orientation can strongly influence how they choose to label themselves (Gordon & Silva, 2015).
In the context of a religious Filipino setting where conservative attitudes and resistance towards the expression and recognition of LGBTQ+ rights are prevalent (De Guzman, 2022), alongside the strong influence of familial bonds, the exploration of the processes involved in sexual orientation disclosure among Filipino LGBTQ+ parents becomes all the more compelling.
Turning the Table and Reversing the Narrative
While scholarly attention often fixates on the psychological effects and experiences of children with LGBTQ+ parents in the realm of disclosure, recent research in the Philippines has focused on the experiences of lesbian single parents during the pandemic (Ocampo et al., 2021; Biana & Domingo, 2021). This exclusive focus has left a significant gap in the communication lens and in understanding the broader spectrum encountered by LGBTQ+ parents in terms of disclosing their sexual orientation.
This research gap is significant because disclosure can act as a catalyst for family adaptation and reorganization. As Mills-Koonce et al. (2018) suggest, how parents respond to adolescent disclosure can determine their love and acceptance, the presence of conflicting parental attitudes, or even parental rejection. Therefore, delving into the firsthand accounts of LGBTQ+ parents in response to disclosure offers a captivating pathway for further investigation.
Moreover, the richness of the disclosure stories of LGBTQ+ people can also be unveiled through this gap. It is important to note that disclosure is not without its consequences, as it can result in heightened family tensions and even the heartbreaking reality of LGBTQ+ individuals being cast out from their homes due to familial disputes over sexual orientation (Castellanos, 2015; Choi et al., 2015). While this phenomenon is particularly concerning in Filipino families deeply rooted in strong family values, it is crucial to recognize the expansive spectrum of experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. Want to know some unique cases? Watch out for the following articles.
Finally, parenthood is already a demanding role, but for LGBTQ+ individuals, the journey can be even more challenging due to pervasive discrimination. Shifting the narrative to highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ parents uncovers a rich tapestry of stories within the community. As Rosati et al. (2018) and Kimmel (2015) showed, exploring how these parents navigate the disclosure of their sexual orientation can shed light on how stigma on LGBTQ+ individuals’ decision to reveal their true selves.
References:
Biana, H. T., & Domingo, R. (2021). Lesbian Single Parents: Reviewing Philippine COVID-19 Policies. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 22(12), 135–147. https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2695&context=jiws
Bilodeau, B. L., & Renn, K. A. (2005). Analysis of LGBT identity development models and implications for practice. New Directions for Student Services, 2005(111), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.1002/ss.171
Castellanos, H.D. (2015). The Role of Institutional Placement, Family Conflict, and Homosexuality in Homelessness Pathways Among Latino LGBT Youth in New York City. Journal of Homosexuality 63(5), 601–632. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2015.1111108
Choi, S. K., Wilson, B. D. M., Shelton, J., & Gates, G. J. (2015). Serving Our Youth 2015: The Needs and Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth Experiencing Homelessness. Los Angeles: The Williams Institute with True Colors Fund. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1pd9886n
D’Augelli, A.R. (1994). Identity development and sexual orientation: Toward a model of lesbian, gay, and bisexual development. Semantic Scholar. Retrieved July 3, 2023, from https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Identity-development-and-sexual-orientation%3A-Toward-D%E2%80%99augelli/a99ab6bb001938e43735a08b790b39acce575905
De Guzman, C. (2022, June 6). Being LGBT and Catholic in the Philippines is not easy. Time. Retrieved July 3, 2023, from https://time.com/6184345/lgbt-philippines-catholic-church-pride/
Gordon, L. E., & Silva, T. J. (2015). Inhabiting the sexual landscape: Toward an interpretive theory of the development of sexual orientation and identity. Journal of Homosexuality, 62(4), 495–530. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2014.986417
Heidari, S., Babor, T. F., De Castro, P., Tort, S., & Curno, M. (2016). Sex and Gender Equity in Research: rationale for the SAGER guidelines and recommended use. Research Integrity and Peer Review, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41073-016-0007-6
How many same-sex couples in the US are raising children? The Williams Institute. (2020, July 29). Retrieved July 3, 2023, from https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/same-sex-parents-us
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities. (2014). Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. National Academies Press. Retrieved July 3, 2023 from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64810/
Jacobson, R., & Joel, D. (2018). Self-Reported Gender Identity and Sexuality in an Online Sample of Cisgender, Transgender, and Gender-Diverse Individuals: An Exploratory Study. The Journal of Sex Research, 56(2), 249–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2018.1523998
Kimmel, D. C. (2015). Theories of aging applied to LGBT older adults and their families. The Lives of LGBT Older Adults: Understanding Challenges and Resilience., 73–90. https://doi.org/10.1037/14436-004
Mills-Koonce, W. R., Rehder, P. D., & McCurdy, A. L. (2018). The Significance of Parenting and Parent-Child Relationships for Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 28(3), 637–649. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12404
Ocampo, C., Tibudan, A. J., Marcelo, D. R., & Tus, J. (2021). The Lived Experiences and Challenges Faced of the Lesbian Parents: A Phenomenological Study in the Philippines During COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal Of Advance Research And Innovative Ideas In Education, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14029394.v1
Reflection on Gender and SOGIE. (2016, March 25). https://learningistrulybeautiful.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/reflection-on-gender-and-sogie/
Rosati F., Pistella J., Ioverno S., Baiocco R. (2018). Relational variables and psychological well-being in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders: a critical review. Giornale Italiano Psicol. 45 611–638. 10.1421/92816
Rosati, F., Pistella, J., Nappa, M. R., & Baiocco, R. (2020). The Coming-Out Process in Family, Social, and Religious Contexts Among Young, Middle, and Older Italian LGBQ+ Adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.617217
