Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2005, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2014, Educational Leadership

The lives of college students who are HIV positive in the United States have received little attention. This study addressed this lack by inquiring into the self-cultivation and institutional experiences of gay college men living with HIV. Informed by AIDS activism and queer theory, I used narrative and arts-based methods to explore participants' self-cultivation I placed particular focus on participants' discourse given that American sociopolitical discourse associates HIV/AIDS with gay men. I conducted over sixty hours of in-depth interviews with nine gay college men of various ages, races, geographic locations, and institutional settings. Six of the nine participants created artwork to express their relationship to HIV/AIDS. Using poststructural narrative analysis, the major findings of this study include: higher educational silence about HIV/AIDS; an affective structure to participants' discourse; and an askesis of shame. Most participants encountered a silence or lack of discourse around HIV/AIDS in their institutions. Institutional silence complicated participants' ability to discern whether to seek support or to disclose their HIV status on campus. Although participants called upon distinct discourses, they shared a common affective structure. Having an affective structure means that these men represented and discussed HIV/AIDS as driving the way they live, although differently at different times and with various intensities determined by different events, objects and people. Like affect, their relationship with HIV varied, often unpredictably, except for its constant presence. While these men felt differently about having HIV, I describe their common affective structure as an askesis of shame. Askesis, or self-cultivation, is a response to social contempt for gay men with HIV/AIDS and homonormative discourses of compulsory happiness. Shame is an affect involving investment in the self and others along with covering discredited aspect (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Elisa Abes (Committee Chair); Peter Magolda (Committee Member); Lisa Weems (Committee Member); Madelyn Detloff (Committee Member) Subjects: Glbt Studies; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2009, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology

Much has been written on gay identity development and ethnic identity, but research conducted that examines the cross-section of both identities is very limited. Several theories have been proposed which detail gay and lesbian identity development, which involve a conversion of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behavior from a dominant heterosexual culture to those of the minority gay and lesbian culture. Likewise, ethnic identity models propose similar stage sequential processes and conversion from a dominant Anglo culture to those of a minority ethnic culture. Both the ethnic and gay identity development models function and are based on two dichotomous variables (e.g., Latino and Anglo, gay and nongay) and have been considered constructs on a continuum with two mutual endpoints. As a result, gay and lesbian people of color may end up rejecting one side and accepting the other. Morales (1990) suggested that Latino gay men live their lives in the gay community, the Latino community, and in the predominantly heterosexual white mainstream community, and that all of these communities have different expectations. The differences and stress often force Latino men into conflict as they attempt to meet the pressures, expectations and challenges. For many Latino gay men, managing these differences may determine how they choose to self-identify and how they identify with each of their other respective identities. This qualitative study examined and analyzed transcripts of interviews with Latino gay men, as they told their unique and heartfelt stories and experiences of being Latino and gay. It also examined the psychological stressors, and how they were instrumental in the manner in which they managed and maintained their identities in the Latino community, the gay community, and in the heterosexual community. The electronic version of this dissertation is available in the open-access OhioLink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd

Committee: Michele Harway PhD (Committee Chair); Ryan Sharma PsyD (Committee Member); Joseph Becher MA (Committee Member); Jose Toro-Alfonso PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Families and Family Life; Gender; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Psychology; Social Psychology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2007, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1986, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2024, Communication

The portrayal of gay characters on television has expanded, yet often oversimplifies their experiences. Gay individuals face unique challenges accessing sexual health information due to cultural barriers, exacerbating health disparities. This study investigates how narratives featuring gay protagonists discussing sexual health with a medical provider influence gay viewers' intentions. Drawing on social cognitive theory and the entertainment overcoming resistance model, it explores narrative impacts on sexual health promotion among gay audiences. Findings suggest exposure to such narratives did not significantly affect intentions to discuss sexual health with a medical provider, but increased self-efficacy emerged as a predictor. This underscores the importance of considering factors like self-efficacy in interventions. The study provides insights for designing tailored interventions and advancing sexual health outcomes among gay men.

Committee: Shelly Hovick (Committee Member); Emily Moyer-Gusé (Advisor) Subjects: Communication

MFA, Kent State University, 2024, College of the Arts / School of Art

As an artist and writer, I create work to explore my own complicated identification and disidentification with queer aesthetics, experiences, and environments through conceptual and physical processes. My thesis, entitled Someone's Sun, is a meditation on gay loneliness in the current age of gay-male sociality made material in a series of handwoven tapestries. I aim to embody a sense of self-inflicted ennui, a self-defeating act of seeking for connection while simultaneously hiding oneself behind banal / insipid landscapes. Through the remediation of photographs of sunrises and sunsets posted by gay men as placeholders for their own portraits on social media apps, I abstract and amplify saturation and composition in photoshop to create a digital painting of an otherworldly environment akin to those of Science Fiction films and television. I use my digital paintings as references, glancing up at them as I dye-paint warps with a variety of color using painterly brushstrokes, once again filtering each image through a further filter of abstraction. Through these digital and analog painting processes I explore color and scale, culminating in a final remediation by weaving with single toning color of wool and a metallic lurex weft yarn on traditional floor looms to create shimmering watercolor tapestries. I weave queer tapestries, that whisper seductively hushed desires while screaming “look at how I shine.”

Committee: Gianna Commito (Committee Member); Gianna Commito (Committee Member); Eli Kessler (Committee Member); John Paul Morabito (Advisor) Subjects: Art Criticism; Art History; Behavioral Psychology; Communication; Developmental Psychology; Fine Arts; Gender; Gender Studies; Personal Relationships; Psychology

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2023, Arts and Sciences: Psychology

Introduction: African American, gay, cisgender men (AAGM) experience unique forms of minority stress which are associated with psychosocial pressure to engage in behaviors which they believe may reduce their exposure to negative evaluations, discrimination, and violence. However, behavioral management of stigma-related stressors has not been operationalized or measured in an intersectional manner. Cultural Consensus Modeling (CCM) is a rigorous, mixed-methodological, multiphase approach to develop a bottom-up, culturally-informed understanding of a set of behaviors shared by a cultural group. Thus, this study sought to elucidate intersectional identity management behaviors among AAGM using Phase 1 free listing data. Method: Participants were 50 AAGM (Mage = 27.9) who completed Phase 1 of a CCM study. Participants identified intersectional identity management behaviors common among similar peers using a free listing format, and responses were submitted to thematic content analyses. Results: There were 137 total valid response items, and the majority of responses (51.82%) were framed in an intersectional manner. Three major themes related to the interpersonal interaction target emerged and there were 15 sub-themes which varied in content, range, and valence. Conclusions: Responses highlighted within group heterogeneity among AAGM's behavioral management strategies and provided preliminary evidence in support of the CCM methodology to inform the development of theory and a novel measurement tool to examine intersectional identity management in this population.

Committee: Jennifer Brown Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Sarah Whitton Ph.D. (Committee Member); Farrah Jacquez Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2023, Antioch New England: Marriage and Family Therapy

This qualitative study aims to explore the unique experiences and challenges faced by Latino Caribbean cisgender gay men within their cultural and social contexts. Using focus group and thematic analysis, the researcher examines the narratives and perspectives of a diverse sample of Latino Caribbean cisgender gay men (n = 6) to gain insights into their sexual identity process, cultural influences, family dynamics, and support systems utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the methodological framework. The researcher's findings highlight the themes of Awareness of Sexual Identity, Visibility Management, Spanish Caribbean Families' Influences, Being True to Oneself, and Positive Experiences & Role Models as key factors influencing the participants' experiences. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the intersections between sexual and cultural identities for Latino Caribbean cisgender gay men. The participants navigate the complex process of self-acceptance and disclosure while balancing cultural expectations and societal norms. The role of family and community support emerges as both a source of strength and potential challenge in their journeys of self-exploration and acceptance. The findings shed light on the need to research the sexual identity process for Caribbean LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and families within a social justice framework. These findings highlight the importance of creating inclusive spaces, promoting visibility, and providing culturally sensitive support services to address the unique needs of this population. And contribute to the existing literature on sexual identity development, cultural diversity, and family dynamics, and provide insights that can inform interventions, policies, and practices aimed at promoting the well-being and empowerment of Latino Caribbean LGBTQ+ individuals.

Committee: Kevin Lyness PhD, LMFT (Committee Chair); Markie Twist PhD, LMFT, LMHC, CSE (Committee Member); Alex Iantaffi PhD, MS, SEP, CST, LMFT (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Black Studies; Caribbean Studies; Counseling Psychology; Families and Family Life; Gender; Gender Studies; Glbt Studies; Hispanic American Studies; Hispanic Americans; Latin American History; Latin American Studies; Mental Health; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Personal Relationships; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Social Research; Social Work; Therapy

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2023, Mental Health and School Counseling

As social media use increases, so does the incidence of homophobic rhetoric on online platforms that were once meant to be safe spaces for gay men (Auxier & Anderson, 2021; Alichie, 2022). The increasing prevalence of homophobic social media has led to an increase in psychological distress among gay men; however, many mental health professions have developed ethical codes to help ensure the safe treatment of this population. Likewise, counselors advocate for systemic change to increase societal acceptance and legal protection for sexual minority people. As the fight for equality continues, so does the search for treatment interventions specifically targeted to promote cultural healing within the gay community.

Committee: Jared S. Rose Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Jeremy P. Oehrtman Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Mental Health

PHD, Kent State University, 2022, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences

This qualitative research sought to answer two questions: (a) how do gay men experience objectification; and (b) what are the effects of this objectification on the lives of these men? These questions were answered through the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Seven men who identified as gay participated in the interviews. The focus of these interviews was to gain a better understanding of how objectification is experienced by gay men as well as exploring the impact that perceived or experienced objectification has on their lives. Using the steps of data analysis in IPA (J. A. Smith et al., 2009), two main themes and four subthemes emerged. The first theme to emerge was that gay men view objectification as part of being in gay culture. Two subthemes supporting this theme are that groups or categories arise based on objectification and objectification is rarely, if ever, challenged within the gay community. The second theme was that there are social and emotional repercussions that come out of the objectification. The subthemes that emerged here were that the men interviewed had specific concerns for themselves and also had concerns for the community as a whole.

Committee: Jason McGlothlin (Committee Co-Chair); Maureen Blankemeyer (Committee Member); Lynne Guillot-Miller (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Counseling Education; Mental Health

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2020, Counseling Psychology

Sexuality research in psychology has historically taken a pathologizing view of sex. Recently, a growing body of sex-positive literature has provided a counter-narrative that positions sex as something that is fundamentally good and healthy. However, the perspectives and experiences of sexual minority men have been critically absent from this discourse. Grounded in empowerment theory and using a critical queer lens, this qualitative study aimed to extend sex-positive research to the topic of sexual minority men's sexual empowerment. The present study used interviews with sex workers, activists, educators, therapists, and sexual assault survivors with a range of intersecting identities to shed light on the ways in which these sexual minority men understand and experience sexual empowerment. Results of these interviews indicated that participants understood sexual empowerment to include elements of sexual self-humanization, sexual liberation, sexual sovereignty, and belonging to a sexually empowering community. These results are presented along with specific recommendations and implications that are written specifically for sexual minority male psychologists conducting research, training, practice, and advocacy for sexual minority men's sexual empowerment.

Committee: Suzette Speight (Committee Chair); Dawn Johnson (Committee Member); Toni Bisconti (Committee Member); Varunee Sangganjanavanich (Committee Member); Kevin Kaut (Committee Member) Subjects: Counseling Psychology; Gender; Gender Studies; Glbt Studies; Psychology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2020, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

This theoretical dissertation uses self psychology, Lacanian theory, and neuropsychoanalysis to explore shame in gay men and formulate an integrative understanding for how this master affect effects self and psyche for same-sex attracted men. Brief introductions to the theories used are provided with links to existing scholarship that informs theoretical leanings. A scholarly case is made for the significance of understanding the origin and lifecycle of shame, as well the importance of differentiating between early relational trauma shame (understood as an “inside out” experience), and a later, socially informed “outside in” experience. An argument is made for how shame “attaches” to emerging sexuality, and a review of relevant literature is woven throughout the project. Conversations with two shame theorists and reflection on my subjective life experience support the thought process and formulation of the model that emerged.

Committee: Theodore Ellenhorn PhD, ABPP (Committee Chair); Barbara Belcher-Timme PsyD (Committee Member); John Tyler Murray PsyD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2018, East Asian Languages and Literatures

The thesis draws upon both quantitative and qualitative approaches to linguistic variation. Specifically, for the quantitative study, the thesis conducts a sociophonetic case study of an LGBT talk show in Taiwan, with a focus on one gay speaker's variation in pitch range. In this quantitative approach, statistically significant differences are found across the subject's various speaking situations. The subject, HY, exhibits a considerable cross-situational variation: When HY participates in the talk show both as a guest and as a host his average maximum f0 is higher than as an applicant. More crucially, when HY is attending the talk show as a guest, his f0 pitch range is significantly wider than as an applicant and a host. To explain the phonetic variation, the thesis proposes that the sociophonetic variation in pitch range is motivated by interactional personas that are subject to specific speaking situations. However, the sociophonetic variation observed in the talk show is just part of the story of HY's stylistic performance. In order to tell the entire story, the study also includes a qualitative study via the analysis of discourse to examine two conversational excerpts where HY participates in the talk show as a guest. HY uses some linguistic and gestural features that have been ideologically associated with Chinese women, such as the female term of reference laoniang 'old woman' or a typical feminine gesture, such as tucking hair behind the ears. In this thesis, I seek an explanation for the relationship between these semiotic features observed in the talk show and HY's gay identity. Adopting the social constructionist paradigm, the study demonstrates that the form-meaning relationship is not a one-to-one mapping, but is mediated through stance-taking. According to the notion of indexicality, the linguistic and gestural features take on their semiotic value through HY's stance in the LGBT talk show and these interactional stances are ideologically re-a (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Chan Marjorie K.M. (Advisor); Xie Zhiguo (Committee Member) Subjects: Asian Studies; Language; Linguistics; Sociolinguistics

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Ohio University, 2017, Studio Art

Phase Shift is the thesis of Asher Pollock, submitted for graduation from the Honors Tutorial College of Ohio University. It contains writing and paintings that collectively question concepts, genres, and methods of story-telling known well to many audiences.

Committee: Laura Larson (Committee Chair); Jennie Klein (Advisor) Subjects: Aesthetics; Art Criticism; Art Education; Art History; Arts Management; Performing Arts; Personal Relationships; Personality; Personality Psychology; Philosophy; Religious History; Rhetoric; Social Research; Spirituality; World History

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2007, Psychology

The subject of numerous research studies, the sexual double standard formally states that men are rewarded for engaging in casual sexual activity, while women are derogated for the same behavior. Although research has indicated a strong belief in contemporary society that the sexual double standard still exists, the research literature has yielded mixed results about its existence and application. Despite the abundance of studies focusing on the sexual double standard, all of these studies contained a heterosexual bias, as they only examined the presence or absence of the sexual double standard in the heterosexual population. To determine whether a sexual double standard exists with regard to the homosexual population, 174 heterosexual, undergraduate participants evaluated homosexual experimental targets described in scripts that manipulated the targets' sex and number of lifetime sexual partners. Results showed that although the participants' attitudes toward gay men were significantly more negative than their attitudes toward lesbians, the participants did not utilize the sexual double standard in their evaluations, as they rated both gay men and lesbian experimental targets in a similar negative manner as their number of reported sexual partners increased. These results suggest that although the amount of sexual activity influences evaluations of homosexuals, gay men and lesbians are not held to different sexual standards by the heterosexual population. Reasons for and implications of this noted disconnect between the participants' attitudes and evaluations are discussed.

Committee: Cynthia L. Crown Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Christine M. Dacey Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member); Kandi Stinson Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Glbt Studies; Social Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2013, Counseling Psychology

Gay men experience, internalize, and expect more stigma than do their lesbian and bisexual men/women peers (Herek, 2009; Balsam & Mohr, 2007). Subsequently, it is important to investigate gay men's beliefs about themselves, such as the stereotypical assumption of gay men's inability to have or maintain romantic relationships (Meyer & Dean, 1998; Peplau, 1991). Using a combination of the minority stress model (specifically, experienced discrimination, stigma consciousness, internalized heterosexism and self-concealment) and self-efficacy theory, two path models were constructed to explore this association with the novel relationship constructs of relationship self-efficacy and optimism. The investigation improved past research by the measurement of the minority stress variables, the use of a sample of only gay men, and the use of social media data collection. To test these models, 522 participants were collected. Although both models were outright rejected, three surprising findings emerged. First, the self-efficacy mediation model was supported after a slight alteration to include a direct path from internalized heterosexism to relationship optimism. Secondly, a positive path emerged from experiences of discrimination to relationship self-efficacy. Thirdly, support was found for using an exploratory feminist model which included experiences of discrimination as antecedents to proximal stress processes of minority stress. The findings are discussed in terms of contributions to and future directions for the minority stress model and the inclusion of feminist theory in the exploration of gay men's concerns regarding relationships. Limitations, future directions, and contributions to the field of Counseling Psychology are discussed.

Committee: Linda Subich Dr. (Advisor); Suzette Speight Dr. (Committee Member); Dawn Johnson Dr. (Committee Member); Kuldhir Bhati Dr. (Committee Member); Robert Schwartz Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Counseling Psychology; Gender; Glbt Studies; Personal Relationships

DMA, University of Cincinnati, 2006, College-Conservatory of Music : Conducting, Choral Emphasis

Gay and lesbian choruses in the United States have actively commissioned new works since they first came into existence. From miniatures to major works, the resultant compositions have come from emerging composers, as well those who are world-renowned. This document was written for the purpose of illuminating three significant works commissioned by American Gay Men's Choruses: Of Rage and Remembrance by John Corigliano, Night Passage by Robert Moran, and Eos by David Conte. Chapter One contains a brief history of the gay choral movement, including the choruses in the United States that banded together to form the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, and a preface to the following chapters. Chapters Two through Four examine the three works. Each of these chapters serves as a guide to the specific composition from the conductor's perspective, with the intent of providing a resource to conductors considering performing the works. The intent of this document is to assist conductors in their discovery of the salient points of the music: information about the commissioning, performance forces, textual sources, overall structure, compositional techniques and performance issues. Also included is an appendix that includes libretti and transcript of the author's interview with Robert Moran.

Committee: Dr. John Leman (Advisor) Subjects: Music

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2009, Social Work

Older gay men and lesbians, out of fear of discrimination, are five times less likely to access health care and social services. There are a few studies that have explored usage rates and factors that influenced non use of these services. This investigator examined the physical and mental health care service use for gay men 45 years of age and older. A cross-sectional study design employed the use of a web based survey. A sample of 260 participants from across the United States was collected within a 3-month collection timeframe. Participants for this study were obtained using gay choruses and an older gay men's social group called the Prime Timers. A conceptual framework developed for this study drew upon the combined contribution from the Andersen-Newman's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use (1973), and the Minority Stress Conceptual Framework proposed by Meyer (Meyer, 1995). The goals of this study was to understand whether enablers defined by Anderson and Newman (1974) and psychosocial stress and individual health coping factors identified by Meyer (1995) were influential on the use of physical and mental health service use. Regression analysis was used to analyze the relationships based on correlational interactions between enabling, psychosocial stressors, and individual health coping variables on service use. Additionally, researchers have found that 51% to 82% of lesbians and gay men do not disclose their sexual orientation to health and social service providers. Independent sample t-test was used to identify the significance of sexual identity disclosure on use of both physical and mental health service use. The results of this study found that for mental health service use, community support and resiliency were significant predictors of service use. Physical health visits were found to be significantly influenced by support from friends, internalized homophobia and mental health distress. Discrimination was a significant factor in use of physical healt (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Virginia Richardson Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Holly Dabelko-Schoeny Ph.D. (Committee Member); Eugene Folden Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology; Health; Health Care; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Public Health; Social Research; Social Work