Family leisure and the coming out process for LGB young people and their parents

Abstract

This article examines how the coming out process for young people who identify as lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) shaped the meanings and experiences of their family leisure engagement. The data draws on a purposive sample of 20 participants (7 young people and their parents). The findings emphasize that shared family activities (media in the family home, family outings and vacations, visiting extended family members) could be altered in relation to the coming out process and cultural norms related to heterosexism and homophobia. It highlights the significant role of mothers as well as extended family members who identified as LGB (i.e. aunts, uncles) in mediating familial relationships. Issues of identity formation (i.e. LGB young person, the parent of a LGB child) and the ongoing process of acceptance are emphasized.

Keywords:

• coming out
• heterosexism
• homophobia
• family
• gay
• grandmother
• leisure
• lesbian
• parent

Notes on contributors

Dawn E. Trussell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock University in Ontario, Canada. Her research programme seeks to understand leisure meanings and experiences in relation to diverse social contexts and issues of power and social inclusion, particularly related to the constructs of family, children and youth, gender and sexuality. She has written in the areas of family leisure; organized youth sport; the transition to motherhood; homelessness; methodological and ethical issues in the research process. Dawn has served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Leisure Research since 2011 and is currently serving as the Vice-President/Treasurer for the Canadian Association for Leisure Studies.

Trisha M.K. Xing is a doctoral candidate in the Applied Health Sciences programme (Social and Cultural Health Studies) at Brock University in Ontario, Canada. Her research is rooted in a desire to better understand the leisure needs and issues of diverse profiles of youth, particularly those who are vulnerable or marginalized. She is interested in critically exploring the nature of leisure experiences, focusing on factors that shape leisure engagement, and examining the issues and implications of power in leisure settings.

Austin G. Oswald has a Master of Arts in Applied Health Sciences (Leisure Studies) from Brock University in Ontario, Canada. Upon graduation he was employed as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He currently works in geriatric psychiatry and has specialized training in psychiatric care. He has a keen interest in research ethics and methodology. His research agenda explores constructs of mental health, gender and sexuality, childhood and adolescence, ageing, and families.

Notes

1. PFLAG is one of the largest family and ally organizations found in the United States and Canada. It has a vast grassroots network with local chapters and a national governing body. It was founded by parents who wanted to help themselves and others understand and accept children with diverse sexual and gender identities. Its aim is to advance equality and a more accepting society for LGBTQ people.