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Article
To Be or Not To Be Out in the Classroom: Exploring Communication Privacy Management Strategies of Lesbian, Gay, and Queer College Teachers
Communication Education
  • Tim McKenna-Buchanan, Manchester University
  • Stevie Munz, Ohio University
  • Justin J. Rudnick, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2015
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, and queer (LGQ) teachers often deal with the tension between disclosing and concealing their sexual orientations in the college classroom. This article presents the results of a qualitative interview study with 29 self-identified LGQ college teachers about their choices to disclose or conceal their sexual identities. Using Communication Privacy Management (CPM) as a theoretical framework, interview transcripts were thematically analyzed for privacy rule criteria and disclosure/concealment strategies. This study contributes to previous understanding of CPM by magnifying five strategies for disclosing or concealing sexual identity: selection, reciprocity, ambiguity, deflection, and avoidance. These findings are discussed in greater detail, and implications for CPM theory and teacher sexual identity disclosure in the classroom are further explored.
DOI
10.1080/03634523.2015.1014385
Citation Information
McKenna-Buchanan, T.P., Munz, S.M., & Rudnick, J.J. (2015). To Be or Not To Be Out in the Classroom: Exploring Communication Privacy Management Strategies of Lesbian, Gay, and Queer College Teachers. Communication Education, 64(3), 280-300. doi. 10.1080/03634523.2015.1014385