dc.contributor.advisor	Virginia E. Wheeless
dc.contributor.author	Ramón, Erika K.
dc.date.accessioned	2013-02-11T19:16:02Z
dc.date.available	2013-02-11T19:16:02Z
dc.date.issued	2/11/2013
dc.description	"A thesis in communication submitted to the graduate faculty of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts."	en_US
dc.description.abstract	Communication between homosexuals and heterosexuals has been examined by communication scholars since the gay revolution of the 1970’s. Communication scholars have sought to understand how homosexuals communicate with one another and heterosexuals. The current study examined the language used by homosexuals during the coming out process and the affect that language has on the family relationship after learning of a family member’s homosexuality. Participants included (38) homosexual students and faculty who attended a midsize university in the southern Midwest, as well as they were sought through other means (word of mouth from students, Facebook) and they completed an online survey. Results indicate that homosexuals converge their language to a heterosexual language when coming out to their parents. Use of heterosexual language and disclosure of homosexuality increased satisfaction within the family relationship. Also, relational communication about coming out was positively correlated with the relationship satisfaction of the family. Social penetration theory, communication privacy management theory, communication accommodation theory, and uncertainty reduction theory were utilized as a theoretical framework. Findings of this study suggest further attention should be given to homosexual language and the usage of it in communication with others. In addition, this study adds to the research on homosexuals by looking at how language impacts satisfaction with the family relationship.	en_US
dc.description.college	College of Liberal Arts	en_US
dc.description.department	Communication & Media	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/1969.6/398
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US
dc.rights	This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with its source. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the author and/or publisher.	en_US
dc.subject	homosexual language	en_US
dc.subject	heterosexual	en_US
dc.subject	coming out	en_US
dc.subject	gay	en_US
dc.subject	lesbian	en_US
dc.subject	family relationship	en_US
dc.title	“Mom, I’m gay.” Homosexual language used in the coming out process and its effect on the family relationship	en_US
dc.type	Text	en_US
dc.type.genre	Thesis	en_US
thesis.degree.discipline	Communication	en_US
thesis.degree.grantor	Texas A & M University--Corpus Christi	en_US
thesis.degree.level	Masters	en_US
thesis.degree.name	Master of Arts	en_US

“Mom, I’m gay.” Homosexual language used in the coming out process and its effect on the family relationship

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