User:OsaRosa/5. LGBTQ Interpersonal Communication

Areas of LGBTQ+ Communication Studies
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LGBTQ+ Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication is process of communicating between two people, this can be by verbal channels. In looking at interpersonal communication this includes personal relationships, or professional relationship. With the lens of LGBTQ+ these dynamics can include dating, marriage, friendship, peers, and supervisor/subordinate relationships. LGBTQ+ communication also focus on disabled queer and trans people to have a voice and a place in the community. LGBTQ+ individuals engage in communication practices that challenge heteronormativity within their interpersonal relationships. By navigating and researching these interpersonal relationships we can explore the intimacy, commitment, and family structures.

LGBTQ+ Dating and Communication
Interpersonal communication involves navigating various challenges related to identity, disclosure, and making connection. Researchers have found that for individuals in the community, dating apps have become the primary way for gaining connections. Using platforms like Grindr is not only used to find romantic partners but also with helping in seeking support. A study found that the use of dating apps "helped strengthen the feeling of having a gay neighborhood". Digital media platforms are important for gay communities in various parts of the world, such as in China. With platforms like Grindr have been described as spaces where queer individuals experience a sense of connection. Interpersonal communication is significantly influenced by stressors within only the LGBTQ+ communities, including societal discrimination, stigmas, and internalized negative beliefs. Communication studies research shows that offline and online discrimination, affect the LGBTQ+ community, and with the use of LGBTQ+ Facebook groups may serve as a factor.

LGBTQ+ Marriage and Communication
Interpersonal communication scholars examine how same-sex couples manage privacy from not only from society but also from their families. In result of this, it affects the overall relationships of these couples including issues with intimacy and trust and support within their own relationship and family relationship. LGBTQ+ individuals will often withhold information especially surrounding their marriage out of fear of lack of understanding or supportive from family members. With these challenges, LGBTQ+ people to learn how to navigate communicating with their families while still trying to foster intimacy and connection in their marriage. Within LGBTQ+ marriages, spouses have to navigate communicating with their larger family individually and also together as a couple. In their marriages, LGBTQ+ people often create their own families as well, and within these families, they encounter unique obstacles like discrimination, legal issues, barriers to accessing to benefits, and overall societal critiques of their marriage.

LGBTQ+ Friendship and Communication
Friendships are made through communication, and creating friendships is important for members of the LGBTQ community. Interpersonal communication researchers look at how social media platforms provide excellent ways for queer communities to establish friendships and connections. Types of connections range from dating opportunities, casual hookups, mental/physical support, and safety. Research shows that LGBTQ+ people use social media apps for establishing safe connections with others, including sites such as Gaydar and Gay.com. The study also recommended LGBTQ+ people remain cautious when using social media apps, especially when some can be victims of catfishing or harassment.

Language is also another way that LGBTQ+ people build friendships through communication. With language, those who are part of the community can form their own way of communicating with one another that others may not understand. Researchers have found that there are many terms that have their own definitions; terms such as SNAP or Playful Putdowns can be used as a safety measure to defend LGBTQ+ people from mental and physical assault. This study showed that LGBTQ+ people feel safe when gender and sexuality terms are spoken by others who speak the language.

Communicating friendship can be distinct in different LGBTQ+ groups. Research on gay male friendship circles found that communicating vibrant personalities and through putting on drag performances, gay men can gain the attention of a potential friend. Studies also show that lesbians tend to have more same sex friends unlike gay men who may have mixed gender queer friends. The research also found that friendship and inclusion was created by not only LGBTQ+ people but also heterosexuals and cisgender people who respected someone’s pronouns and creating more gender inclusive spaces. For example, youth summer camps can create safe spaces including converting bathrooms, sorting by age, and providing name tags with pronouns to help LGBTQ+ youth connect.

LGBTQ+ Peer Bullying
Interpersonal communication scholars have researched LGBTQ+ bullying by peers in schools and universities, which has been a reoccurring issue throughout the United States and the globe. The data gathered from the GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) and HRC (Human Rights Campaign) surveys show how hard things are for LGBTQ+ youth, including being bullied and having to deal with rules and regulations that are biased against them. These things not only hurt students' grades, but they also harm the way they feel and their lives. Studies have shown LGBTQ+ bullying in schools and universities lacks a structure for change to create safer and more supportive environments for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Communication researchers have proposed a solution for LGBTQ+ peer bullying: to promote innovative communication approaches, such as educator training. Researchers have also emphasized how crucial it is to establish inclusive settings and question cultural norms that support bullying behaviors. Researchers stress how important it is for GSAs (Gay Straight Alliances) to support and speak up for LGBTG+ students; they emphasize that GSAs can help stop bullying, get more people to help, and make schools less intimidating for LGBTQ+ students.

LGBTQ+ Supervisor and Subordinate Communication
Research demonstrates that communication between LGBTQ+ employees and their supervisors and subordinates has an impact on their interpersonal relationships, which are crucial to employee satisfaction in organizations. When studying LGBTQ+ relationships at work, research has shown that through verbal indicators like recognizing LGBTQ+ support in discussions, bringing up LGBTQ+ events or social engagements, and using preferred pronouns, supervisors can convey their intentions of support as allies. Researchers call to action to reduce health inequalities in the work area by putting health needs faced by LGBTQ+ workers first in research and interventions, such as providing them with access to healthcare, mental health support, and tools for transitioning. The study considers the complex process by which LGBTQ+ employees choose if a coworker is an ally, handles the difficulties of making sense, and builds models. A systematic literature review on LGBTQ+ workers in communication research highlighted the importance for managers and coworkers to support LGBTQ+ inclusive policies in practice for LGBTQ+ workers’ safety and support and to retain queer and trans employees.