Title:
Black lesbian women and queer folks’ perspectives on friendships with straight women: exploring romantic relationships, gender expression, and membership in the queer community
Author:
Nadia M. Alsamadi
Thesis Advisor:
Marianna E. Carlucci
Committee Member:
Frank D. Golom
Committee Member:
Emalee J. Quickel
Committee Member:
Stephen E. Fowl
Committee Member:
Rachel L. Grover
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2022
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
born digital
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine cross-orientation friendships from the lens of Black lesbian women. This study specifically investigated how friendships with straight women may impact Black lesbian women’s (a) romantic relationships, (b) gender expression, and (c) membership in the queer community. Data collection utilized standardized, in-depth, and open-ended interview protocols with ten Black lesbian women and queer folks. Within the three mentioned areas of interest, four conceptual categories and a total of nine sub-themes emerged from the data through coding analysis based upon Grounded Theory methodology (Corbin and Strauss, 1990; Morrow and Smith, 2000). Conceptual categories included (a) Black lesbian women and queer folks’ friendships with straight women and romantic relationships coexist and can influence each other; (b) friendships with straight women can impact Black lesbian women and queer folks’ gender expression and behaviors; (c) straight friends’ acceptance/non-acceptance of the greater queer community can impact the overall well-being of Black lesbian women and queer folks; and (d) Black lesbian women and queer folks have varying experiences based on the intersectionality of their sexuality and other identities. Clinical implications and considerations include: support for clients to develop/maintain friendships with straight women who are openly accepting of the queer community; therapist attunement to ways that overt and covert homophobia and heterosexist values permeate friendships, impact well-being, and pervade the therapeutic relationship; and awareness of how relational dynamics that may be specific to Black lesbian women and queer folks impact friendships and the therapeutic relationship. Future studies should focus on expanding diversity of sample sociodemographic characteristics, using culturally affirming terms related to sexuality (e.g., same gender loving), and including Black lesbian and researchers and community leaders in the research process.
Subject:
Academic theses
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Subject:
Thèses et écrits académiques
Subject:
Thèses électroniques
Subject:
dissertations
Degree:
Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Level:
Doctoral
Discipline:
Psychology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online.
Use and Reproduction:
The authors of theses and dissertations are the copyright owners. Loyola Notre Dame Library has their permission to store and provide access to these works. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Permission is required to use materials for which Loyola Notre Dame Library, Loyola University Maryland, or Notre Dame of Maryland University hold copyright. In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift of purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Identifier:
AlsamadiNM-22
