Papers by Kirsten A Gonzalez
This study focuses on understanding disclosure of transgender identity within the context of frie... more This study focuses on understanding disclosure of transgender identity within the context of friendship. Participants were 536 individuals who self-identified as transgender or gender variant. Participants completed an online questionnaire regarding friendship experiences. Thematic analysis focused on understanding experiences of identity disclosure to friends. Participants reported positive and negative experiences associated with the identity disclosure process, with responses falling into five distinct categories: positive or affirming responses, negative responses, a variation of responses, an impact on the friendship status, and emotional responses from friends. Within these five theme categories, distinct subcategories were apparent including responses that reflected support, physical violence, gaining or losing friends, and friends being unsurprised or not caring about the disclosure. These findings point to the ways in which the friendship experiences for transgender individuals are complex and unique. Clinical implications for understanding the needs of clients regarding disclosure of transgender identity and status to friends are discussed.
The present research explores benefits and barriers of friendships for transgender individuals. P... more The present research explores benefits and barriers of friendships for transgender individuals. Participants included 536 individuals who self-identified as transgender or gender variant. Participants completed an online survey asking about friendship experiences with transgender, cisgender, sexual minority, and heterosexual friends. Using a feminist intersectional theoretical framework, content analysis attended to the benefits and barriers to friendship and highlighted patterns of responses by allowing for comparisons across friends' gender identity and sexual orientation. Unique friendship barriers and benefits were found across normative (cisgender/heterosexual) and non-normative (transgender/sexual minority) dimensions of identities. In addition, friendship experiences with transgender and sexual minority friends displayed unique similarities and differences. In our analyses we emphasize the usefulness of a feminist intersectional approach in investigating transgender friendship experience.
The present research used an intersectional analysis in examining whether women and men who have,... more The present research used an intersectional analysis in examining whether women and men who have, versus do not have, cross-category friendships differ in what they value as important in a close friendship. Parallel analyses were conducted to examine cross-orientation and cross-race friendships across gender and identity status (minority and majority), with age as a covariate for all analyses. Participants were 1415 adult women and men, ranging in age from 18-80, residing in the United States, who completed a friendship profile questionnaire by reporting basic demographic information about themselves and their close friends. Participants' importance ratings of six different friendship values were utilized to interrogate existing friendship patterns. Three general friendship values (trust and honesty, respect friend as person, there when needed) and three cross-identity salient friendship values (similar lives & experiences, similar values, nonjudgmental) were considered. Individuals with and without cross-category friend-ships did not significantly differ in their ratings for any of the three general friendship values. Individuals with cross-orientation and cross-race friendships placed less importance on similar lives & experiences than those with no such friendships. Other cross-identity salient friendship values were uniquely related to cross-orientation and cross-race friendship patterns. Although women rated all six friendship values as more important than did men, women and men displayed similar friendship value patterns across cross-category friendships and identity. These findings are discussed in the context of feminist intersectional theory.
Intergroup prejudice negatively affects all individuals in a society. Past research has primarily... more Intergroup prejudice negatively affects all individuals in a society. Past research has primarily focused on how to reduce intergroup prejudice, especially prejudice held by members of privileged groups against members of stigmatized groups. In this article, we briefly summarize the literature on several effective prejudice reduction techniques. We then present an argument for expanding current research by complementing reduction of negative feelings and attitudes with cultivating positive feelings and attitudes toward stigmatized outgroups. Functional distinctions between positive and negative feelings and attitudes point to the ally development literature as a source of inspiration for creating new interventions. We give examples of practical interventions suggested by this expanded conceptual framework, including increasing knowledge and understanding of stigmatized groups, focusing on values, increasing understanding of privilege and its role in oppression, and cultivating empathy. These interventions focus on cultivating positive views of stigmatized outgroups as a basis for prejudice reduction as well as behavioral support. Directions for future research are suggested to test these positive ally-based strategies for ending stigma and promoting positive intergroup relations and well-being in communities.
A brief intervention exercise focusing on positive experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transge... more A brief intervention exercise focusing on positive experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning young adults and their young adult allies (LGBTQA) was hypothesized to increase positive LGBTQA identity, collective self-esteem, and individual self-esteem. Participants (N = 52) completed pretest, listened to a presentation on positive LGBTQA identities, and wrote personal narratives related to their own positive identity experiences. They then completed posttest and one-month follow-up surveys. Findings indicated that scores on all three outcomes significantly increased between the pre-and posttest but returned to baseline levels when reassessed one month later. Future research should explore ways to enhance the long-term impact of exposure to positive identity interventions on LGBTQA well-being in the current heteronormative cultural environment.
Parenting an LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) identified child presents uniq... more Parenting an LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) identified child presents unique opportunities for growth and development. This study focused on self-reported perceptions of the positive aspects of being the parent of an LGBTQ child. Participants (N = 142) were mothers (83.8%) and fathers (16.2%) of LGBTQ identified individuals who responded to an open-ended online survey. Thematic analysis revealed five primary themes: Personal Growth (open mindedness, new perspectives, awareness of discrimination, and compassion), Positive Emotions (pride and unconditional love), Activ-ism, Social Connection, and Closer Relationships (closer to child and family closeness). The practice implications of these findings for supporting parents in envisioning positive relationship outcomes for themselves and their children are highlighted in the discussion. Fam Proc 52:325–337, 2013 " Being the parent of an [LGBTQ identified] child has made me a wiser person, and one who has come to realize the wealth of differences among people, differences that make us all richer and teach us all tolerance. Above all, we may appear different outwardly but all people want love and respect " (71-year-old mother of a gay male). P arenting is a role that shapes the development of many adults. While children learn from parents, they also present their parents with opportunities to learn and grow. Being a parent of an LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) identified child presents unique opportunities for personal growth and the development of life skills. While much of the literature focuses on the struggles of some parents during and after a child's coming out, for many and perhaps most parents the experience inspires positive transformation and growth. (It is important to note that we do not assume that all parents struggle with accepting and celebrating a child's LGBTQ identity). The research reported
This study focuses on the impact of the 2016 US presidential election on gay, lesbian, bisexual, ... more This study focuses on the impact of the 2016 US presidential election on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) peoples' relationships with their family-of-origin. Although family relationships play an important role for all people, GLBTQ individuals' relationships with their families are particularly important during times of sociopolitical change, and when GLBTQ rights are being threatened. Specifically, the election of Donald J. Trump mandates a direct need to more thoroughly explore how the 2016 US presidential election has impacted GLBTQ individuals' relationships with their families. Participants included 274 individuals who identified as a part of the GLBTQ community, and completed an online survey in which they discussed the impact that the 2016 US presidential election had on their family-of-origin. Thematic analysis revealed three relationship-salient themes: (a) family divisions, (b) family cohesions, and (c) no change. Discussion of the results focuses on the critical role played by GLBTQ peoples' families during times when GLBTQ prejudice is politicized.
This research investigated narratives of bi-erasure and bisexual marking by considering 53 video ... more This research investigated narratives of bi-erasure and bisexual marking by considering 53 video confessionals associated with the #StillBisexual campaign. #StillBisexual is a web-based campaign that targets myths about bisexuality and promotes bisexual identity visibility. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes regarding the ways that individuals mark and make known their bisexuality. Three major themes of bisexual demarcation emerged including the enduring nature of bisexuality, defining bisexuality, and defining the self as a bisexual being. Discussion focuses on describing bisexual marking approaches by #StillBisexual participants and by analyzing the way bisexual demarcation challenges assumptions of monosexism and cisgenderism inherent to cultural conceptualizations of sexuality.
On June 12, 2016, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida was the target of one of the country's ... more On June 12, 2016, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida was the target of one of the country's deadliest mass shootings. Pulse, a gay nightclub, was hosting a Latin Pride Night the evening of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of 49 victims and 53 casualties, over 90% of whom were lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Latinx people, specifically. The present research investigates the narrative responses from LGBT people of color (LGBT-POC) following the tragedy. Results included an analysis of 94 participant narrative responses. Results were collected online from a sample of LGBT-POC with varying sexual, gender, and racial identities. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes:
Since his inauguration, Donald J. Trump and his presidential administration have failed to show s... more Since his inauguration, Donald J. Trump and his presidential administration have failed to show support or publicly acknowledge the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) individuals. Historically, conservative anti-GLBTQ campaigns and policies have caused long-lasting negative effects on GLBTQ individuals' mental health, physical health, and sense of safety in their communities. The current presidential administration has done little to mitigate these effects and has taken steps since Trump's inauguration to continue a conservative pattern of anti-GLBTQ initiatives. This study assessed 172 GLBTQ individuals' perceptions of minority stress experiences before and after the 2016 US presidential election. Paired-sample t-tests indicated that participants experienced significantly higher levels of stress pertaining to sexual orientation rumination, daily experiences of harassment/ discrimination, more symptoms of depression and anxiety postelection, as well as a stronger connection to the GLBTQ community. An exploratory regression analysis confirmed that sexual-orientation-based rumination, sexual identity salience, and daily experiences of distal discrimination were adequate predictors of sexual minorities' levels of vigilance post-election. Discussion focuses on the impact of the Trump administration on minority stress experiences and the well-being of GLBTQ Americans. Implications of this study point to the need to continue to explore how to best support and bolster GLBTQ well-being during anti-GLBTQ political administrations.
Articles and Book Chapters by Kirsten A Gonzalez
The Counseling Psychologist, 2019
The mainstreaming of White nationalism in the United States and worldwide suggest an urgent need ... more The mainstreaming of White nationalism in the United States and worldwide suggest an urgent need for counseling psychologists to take stock of what tools they have (and do not have) to combat White supremacy. The authors review the rise of social justice issues in the field of counseling psychology and allied helping professions and point to the limits of existing paradigms to address the challenge of White supremacy. They introduce transnationalism as an important theoretical perspective with which to conceptualize global racisms, and they identify White racial affect, intersectionality, and allyship as three key domains of antiracist action-research. Finally, they suggest three steps for sharpening counseling psychologists’ approaches to social justice: rejecting racial progress narratives, doing social justice-oriented practice with White clients, and centering White supremacy as a key problem for the field of counseling psychology and allied helping professions.
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Papers by Kirsten A Gonzalez
Articles and Book Chapters by Kirsten A Gonzalez