Abstract

The study engages with several lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual and queer (LGBTPQ) identifying youth in South Africa to explore their perceptions and realities regarding coming out to their parents and parental reactions. In-depth interviews were utilized to engage with the 17 participants, aged 19 to 32 years old, all of whom were students at the same university in South Africa. The study found that participants who have not come out tended to view coming out as a problematic act that reproduces the heteronormative discourse of sexuality in which heterosexuality is normalized, while same-sex sexuality is seen as odd and as deviant. The study also found that many participants perceived coming out as an individual choice. However, the choice of whether or not to come out, when to come out, and which parent to come out to, is dependent on 1. the nature of the relationship the participants have with their parents, and 2. perceived parental reactions. Analysis reveals how religion, gender norms based on heteronormativity, and parent-child relationship dynamics intersect to shape participants’ perceptions regarding parental reactions. This intersectionality also shaped the realities of coming out. Such realities involved a variety of reactions from parents, including acceptance, rejection, forms of violence, and silence. Parents reacting with silence was a common, yet complex experience among the participants. The participants’ experiences suggest ways through which they could be empowered to cope better with their parents’ silence and other non-supportive reactions.

摘要

该研究与几个同性恋，双性恋，双性恋，变性者，变性者和同性恋者（LGBTPQ）进行了合作，以识别南非的年轻人，以探索他们对出父母和父母反应的看法和现实。通过深入访谈与年龄在19至32岁之间的17名参与者进行了互动，他们都是南非同一所大学的学生。研究发现，没有出来的参与者倾向于将出来看作是有问题的行为，再现了异性规范性性话语，其中异性恋被规范化了，而同性性行为被认为是奇怪的和异常的。该研究还发现，许多参与者认为走出来是个人选择。但是，选择是否要出来，什么时候要出来以及要出来的父母是谁，取决于1.参与者与父母之间关系的性质，以及2.父母的感知反应。分析揭示了宗教，基于异规范的性别规范以及亲子关系动力学如何相交以塑造参与者对父母反应的看法。这种交叉性也塑造了出来的现实。这种现实涉及父母的各种反应，包括接受，拒绝，暴力形式和沉默。家长们保持沉默的反应是参与者之间普遍而又复杂的经历。参与者的经验提出了使他们有能力更好地应对父母的沉默和其他非支持性反应的方法。感知到的父母反应。分析揭示了宗教，基于异规范的性别规范以及亲子关系动力学如何相交以塑造参与者对父母反应的看法。这种交叉性也塑造了出来的现实。这种现实涉及父母的各种反应，包括接受，拒绝，暴力形式和沉默。家长们保持沉默的反应是参与者之间普遍而又复杂的经历。参与者的经验提出了一些方法，可以使他们有能力更好地应对父母的沉默和其他非支持性反应。感知到的父母反应。分析揭示了宗教，基于异规范的性别规范以及亲子关系动力学如何相交以塑造参与者对父母反应的看法。这种交叉性也塑造了出来的现实。这种现实涉及父母的各种反应，包括接受，拒绝，暴力形式和沉默。家长们保持沉默的反应是参与者之间普遍而又复杂的经历。参与者的经验提出了一些方法，可以使他们有能力更好地应对父母的沉默和其他非支持性反应。这种交叉性也塑造了出来的现实。这种现实涉及父母的各种反应，包括接受，拒绝，暴力形式和沉默。家长们保持沉默的反应是参与者之间普遍而又复杂的经历。参与者的经验提出了使他们有能力更好地应对父母的沉默和其他非支持性反应的方法。这种交叉性也塑造了出来的现实。这种现实涉及父母的各种反应，包括接受，拒绝，暴力形式和沉默。家长们保持沉默的反应是参与者之间普遍而又复杂的经历。参与者的经验提出了一些方法，可以使他们有能力更好地应对父母的沉默和其他非支持性反应。