The Psychosocial Implications of Being Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Military Personnel in a Post Don't Ask, Don't Tell Era
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Date
2018-04-24
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Authors
Robinson-Thomas, Jeffrey Franklin
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Publisher
East Carolina University
Abstract
Scholarly research on sexual minority military personnel was silenced until the United States (U.S.) Congress passed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) Repeal Act of 2010. Not only did the repeal liberate lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) military personnel from serving in silence, but also impelled military researchers to conduct studies pertaining to this population. However, research on LGB military personnel remains scant for counselors and other healthcare providers. Military personnel in the U.S. are experiencing unprecedented levels of alcohol and other substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and suicide. Speculating that LGB military personnel are at a greater risk for these psychosocial issues was reasonable, as research has indicated an increased risk of psychosocial factors for LGB civilians. This descriptive phenomenological study discovered new knowledge of LGB military personnel and veterans who were serving or had served post-DADT from all branches of the U.S. Military. This study employed Minority Stress theory and its model as a framework to explain psychosocial implications of having a minority sexual identity for LGB military personnel. The study's results are addressed, which include participants' sexual identity development and expression, military culture experienced by LGB military personnel, participants' lived experiences after the repeal of DADT, and the psychosocial implications associated with having a minority sexual identity.