| dc.description.abstract | This study assesses: (1) cultural stigmatization processes and their influence on self-concept clarity for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in the United States military, (2) the identity management strategies employed by GLB persons before and after the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and (3) the individual communication practices that reinforce and/or decenter heteronormativity in talk. In-depth interviews were conducted with GLB (n = 15) and heterosexual (n = 13) current and former military service members. Findings revealed that GLB identity repudiation incites feelings of identity incongruity for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in the U.S. military. Further, because homosexuality was viewed as seemingly incompatible with military identity, many participants struggled to integrate their two social identities effectively. Second, findings revealed that all participants made thoughtful and deliberate decisions about whether or not, and to whom, they would reveal their sexual identities. Strategies of closedness were found to incite feelings of shame, isolation, and stress. Identity management strategies remained relatively consistent even after DADT was repealed. Three new strategies emerged (strategies of openness) after the repeal of DADT, which incited reduced stress, feelings of inclusion, and increased self-liking. Third, findings revealed that GLB military persons were discursively constructed as both a threat to military effectiveness and also as valuable assets to the military organization. Findings also demonstrated a potential for social change in that dialogic communication practices worked to decenter heteronormativity in talk.
Keywords: identity, dialectics, heteronormativity, sexuality, military | en_US |
