Media: A Catalyst for Resilience in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth have the potential for considerable resilience. Positive media representations may mediate negative experiences and foster self-esteem, yet the relationship between resilience and both traditional offline and new online media remains underaddressed for this population. This grounded-theory exploration of media-based resilience-building activities by LGBTQ youth (n = 19) indicated four themes that media use enabled: coping through escapism; feeling stronger; fighting back; and finding and fostering community. Data are embedded to evidence thematic findings and incorporate participant voices. The importance of considering the media within contemporary LGBTQ youth's ecological framework to capture their resilience is considered.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• homophobia
• LGBT
• representation
• resilience
• sexuality
• technology
• television
• youth

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shelley L. Craig

Shelley L. Craig, PhD, LCSW, RSW, is an associate professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.

Lauren McInroy

Lauren McInroy, MSW, PhD student, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.

Lance T. McCready

Lance T. McCready, PhD, is an associate professor of Urban Education in the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education (LHAE), Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Ramona Alaggia

Ramona Alaggia, PhD, is an associate professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.