"Second generation" voices: queer youth with lesbian/bisexual mothers.
Research on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth with LGBTQ parents is absent in the social science literature. The present qualitative, exploratory study utilized a social constructionist and queer theoretical lens through which to explore the sexual/gender identity formation and disclosure experiences of 18 LGBTQ young adults with lesbian/bisexual mothers. Findings suggest that LGBTQ parents may have a uniquely positive influence on their LGBTQ children in regard to their sexual and gender identity development. However, some participants reported perceiving societal scrutiny related to their mothers' lesbian/bisexual identities and, thus, felt pressure to be heterosexual and gender-conforming. Furthermore, some participants did not necessarily utilize or view their lesbian/bisexual mothers as sources of support in relation to their own sexual/gender identity formation. While much more research is needed that examines the experiences of LGBTQ children with LGBTQ parents, this study represents a first step in addressing the existing literature gap.
Kuvalanka
Katherine A
KA
Department of Family Studies and Social Work, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA. kuvalanka@muohio.edu
Goldberg
Abbie E
AE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012933:Social Identification; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult