NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED557552
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 289
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3039-9867-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Demonized No More: The Spiritual Journeys and Spaces of Black Gay Male College Students at Predominantly White Institutions
Means, Darris R.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, North Carolina State University
Spirituality plays a significant role in the lives of college students (Astin, Astin, & Lindholm, 2011; Bryant, Choi, & Yasuno, 2003; Chickering, 2006; Parks, 2000). However, Black gay males are uniquely positioned with regards to spirituality given how race, gender, and sexual orientation are generally perceived and experienced in the U.S. society. Unfortunately, current research has overall excluded the spiritual experiences of Black gay male college students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the spiritual journeys and spaces of Black gay male college students who attend predominantly White institutions. This study used Abes' (2009, 2012) "theoretical borderlands" concept as a framework for this study by employing two theoretical frameworks---constructivism and quare theory--to design the study, collect data, and analyze the data. Data collection involved interviews, field observations, and photovoice. Data were analyzed by first utilizing a constructivism lens, specifically self-authorship. Data were next analyzed by using a quare theory lens. The two theoretical frameworks were then applied to one case study to understand how the two frameworks worked together to inform the spiritual journey and spaces of one Black gay male college student. Major findings included: (a) the students perceived spirituality to be connected with their own religion but also connected to nature, science, and music; (b) the students experienced a spiritual trajectory along epistemological, intrapersonal, and interpersonal dimensions as they became authors of their own spirituality; (c) the students experience homophobia, racism, sexism, and classism during their spiritual journeys and in spiritual spaces; and (d) several students were able to resist the oppression during their spiritual journey by resisting homophobia and racism in dominant spaces and creating spiritual counterspaces. The significance of the findings have implications for practice, policy, theory, and future research. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A