Gay men with physical disabilities: A qualitative study

This study examined the experiences of gay men with physical disabilities in society. An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was used to explore unique life narratives of gay men with multiple minority identities (Smith & Osborn, 2008). The sample consisted of eight men to include four men of Caucasian descent and four men of color, one African American, one Bi-Racial African American and White, and two Mexican American participants. The data revealed 16 superordinate themes pertaining to men's experiences with a disability identity, gay identity, and interactions of both identities. In terms of experiences with a disability themes endorsed were: Positive support From Family, Family Unsupportive, Disability Identity, Facing Oppression/Discrimination, Employment Issues, and Positive Experiences. In relation to experiences being gay themes that emerged were: Coming Out Experiences, Ways Family was Unsupportive, Ways Family was Supportive, Gay Identity Development, Facing Oppression/Discrimination, and Positive Experiences. With the Interaction of Both Identities themes emerged around: Negative Experiences, Positive Experiences, Social Relationships, and Relationship in Professional Settings. Major findings included families that were supportive of their son's disability but not their sexual orientation, due to the religious beliefs of the family, and a father who was emotionally unavailable. Families were unable or unwilling to discuss emotional aspects of having a disability or being gay, and many participants felt like an outsider. The Internet was reported as a great medium to meet friends, engage in hook ups, dating, and researching the LGBT movement. The majority of participants appeared more interested in understanding their gay identity, as this was the identity that they felt the closest to, as most had gay friends and not friends with disabilities. Each participant reported discrimination and belittling by society, whether it pertained to being gay or having a disability. With the interactions of both minority identities the main issues voiced regarded rejections around dating in the gay community.