Suchergebnisse

We surveyed 527 nonmetropolitan gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people (GLBT) and inductively analyzed their responses to open‐ended questions regarding the "best" and "worst" aspects of being GLBT in that area, and how to improve their lives as rural GLBT people. Field observations supplemented the qualitative data. "Best things" included close relationships, high quality of life, involvement with GLBT social networks or organizations, and self‐acceptance. "Worst things" included weak and fragmented GLBT resources, living within a homophobic social climate, and lacking equal rights. Suggested improvements included pursuing civil rights, fostering a supportive climate, and strengthening personal relationships. Ways that family professionals can develop commitment to GLBT people, enhance existing services, and advocate for political change are discussed.

ObjectiveTo understand which aspects of residential communities are most salient for determining whether sexual minority parents classify their residential community climates as tolerant versus supportive.BackgroundMetropolitan hubs for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) parents are well established, but less is known about nonmetropolitan community climates for LGB parents. Residential community climate toward nonmetropolitan LGB persons may be particularly important to LGB parents because of the potential influences on child and family well‐being.MethodOpen‐ and closed‐ended survey data from a sample of 55 LGB parents were collected along with publically available data regarding their residential communities. Self‐reported residential community climate (tolerant vs. supportive) and community involvement, as well as objective county and municipal climate were analyzed.ResultsCompared with LGB parents who perceived their communities to be tolerant (n = 38), parents who considered their residential communities to be supportive (n = 17) were more likely to live in counties characterized by legal support and broad social acceptance, were personally more likely to participate in LGB‐focused social and political activities, had children with more exposure to other LGB families, and attended church less frequently.ConclusionHaving basic features of equity such as city ordinances and LGB organizations provides a foundation for tolerance in a community; however, individuals in a community must access personal and social supports and activities beyond work and church to feel truly supported.ImplicationsLGB parents' perceptions of climate reveal specific community features that need to be strengthened to promote family well‐being.