Dissertation Proposal: the Concept of 'New Families' in LGBT Spaces
In this dissertation proposal I will outline what I want to investigate, who else has investigated similar topics and why I think this is an interesting topic to look further into. In my dissertation piece, I want to look into the theory of these ‘new families’ in LGBT spaces.
There has been a rise in individuals choosing their own family over blood ties, forming a kinship, rather than stick to traditional family structures made up from biologically related people. This is particularly evident in the LGBT+ community in the last 60 years, and there is a particular subculture I would like to investigate further, which can be seen portrayed in the 1990 documentary film Paris Is Burning, a film I will be sure to reference and look into. They are called ‘ballroom communities’ describe the underground LGBT subculture in the United States in which people ‘walk’ for trophies and prizes at events known as balls. Most people involved with ball culture belong to ‘houses’ led by a single leader; banded together under a respected ‘house mother’, usually a drag queen or a trans person, or sometimes even a ‘house father’. These ‘drag houses’ are what I think is particularly interesting to investigate for my dissertation piece. ‘Houses’, also called ‘drag houses’ or ‘drag families’, are groups comprised usually of gay males and transgendered people, the majority of which are African American or Latino.
There is quote from an article on ballroom culture I found particularly interesting, as to me it is evidence these new families are usually beneficial in different ways to those who reject or get rejected by their biological family:
“House parents can provide wisdom, guidance and care for young people who otherwise might be homeless and without a parental figure. An exploratory study of two houses in Newark, New Jersey employed qualitative research methods including participant observation and in-depth interviewing to discern that strategies employed by 'house parents' have had an impact on the choices made by children of the houses regarding HIV risk behaviours. These strategies can be adapted for use by well-established community-based HIV prevention programs when they are comprised of staff who mirror the characteristics of 'house parents' and engage in relationships that parallel this alternative family structure.”
Who else has investigated similar topics/What research have I investigated already? I found a dissertation by Dr Melina McConatha submitted to the University of Delaware on ‘Creating supportive LGBTQ spaces: finding new constructs of families and communities in the virtual world’. This study investigated the online experiences for members of the LGBTQ community through examining their connections with other people; 17 interviews were conducted with people, face to face, who identify as LGBTQ. The data showed the appearance of alternate constructs of families and communities online, and how individuals use them as a source of support in the face of abuse, violence, and bullying due to their gender and sexual identity. It shows that, despite diverse and sometimes divided histories, the LGBTQ community has united online to work towards social justice and equality. Social networks are especially used as a platform for a more inclusive and accessible dialogue on how to create social change in the LGBTQ community. These networks emerge as a useful tool to strengthen and support LGBTQ individuals' fluid and ever-changing concepts of identity, family, and community.
Why I think this is an interesting topic to look further into? I think it is quite interesting how more and more social norms are being openly questioned in modern society, especially one as ingrained and previously unquestioned as family ties. I find it especially notable how these new family structures can be to the overall benefit of those individuals who find themselves in one – there is evidence to suggest they can be healthier mentally and emotionally for them.
