Date of Award:

5-2012

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Michael P. Twohig

Committee

Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez

Abstract

Understanding the experiences and identity development of ethnic minority LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning) individuals presents a challenge because the theories of identity development that exist to date may not take into account their unique perspectives. Theories of identity development that are not specific to ethnic minority or LGBTQ identities may not represent their experiences well. At the same time, theories of ethnic identity development may not fit for individuals who are LGBTQ; and theories of LGBTQ identity development may not fit for ethnic minorities. No theory of identity development to date takes into account all of the aspects of LGBTQ ethnic minority individuals’ identities. Intersectional models have been proposed to consider the ways in which all of the identities interact in the real world, but more research is needed to determine whether these models are better for understanding the experiences of LGBTQ ethnic minorities. This study was conducted with the intention of understanding these individuals experiences from an intersectional perspective: considering all of their identities at the same time, and considering the ways in which their LGBTQ and ethnic minority identities might interact with each other. Four different groups of LGBTQ ethnic minority groups were identified based on similarities and differences in their values, attitudes, behaviors, sense of belonging, and identity development.

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This work made publicly available electronically on May 11, 2012.

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