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Notes
- Abstract:
- There has been limited research gay male athletes’ experiences of coming out within sport. The current study involved phenomenological interviewing of six gay male athletes to determine the meaning of the experience of coming out within sport. This approach focused on the descriptions and meanings that participants provided in relation to their experience (Nesti, 2004). As such, it allowed for the gay male athletes to portray their experience of coming out in great detail. All participants were asked the same initial open-ended question, which was designed to illicit different descriptive responses (Thomas & Pollio, 2002). A total of six in-depth phenomenological interviews with gay male athletes representing a variety of sports (i.e., cross country, football, hockey, lacrosse, swimming, and track) were conducted. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 24 (M = 21.33, SD = 2.25). All interview transcripts were transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the transcripts revealed a total of 220 meaning units that were further grouped into subthemes and major themes. This led to the development of a final thematic structure revealing five major elements that characterized these athletes’ experience of coming out in sport: The Role of Masculinity, Fear of Rejection, The Mask, The Conversation, and The Aftermath. It is intended that the findings will expand current research regarding the coming out experience for gay male athletes. Furthermore, the findings can be used to help closeted athletes in sport understand the coming out process and help those who want to come out understand the considerations of doing so from first-hand accounts of previous athletes who already came out in the sport context.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (M.S.)--Barry University, 2014.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-114).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Derek Fenwick. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- GV708.8.F46 2014_FenwickDerek ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- GV708.8.F46 2014 ( lcc )
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