Experiences of Queer Black and Latinx Masculine Identifying Individuals in Online Gaming Spaces: A Narrative Inquiry
Open Access
- Author:
- Medina, Carlos
- Graduate Program:
- Counselor Education
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 15, 2021
- Committee Members:
- Richard Hazler, Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Tyler Hollett, Outside Unit Member
Ashley Patterson, Outside Field Member
Jolynn Carney, Program Head/Chair
Jolynn Carney, Major Field Member - Keywords:
- LGBTQIA+
Latinx
Black
Online Gaming
Narrative Inquiry - Abstract:
- The purpose of this narrative study was to understand the experiences of Queer Black and Latinx masculine identifying individuals in online gaming spaces. The study aimed to identify how online gaming spaces impacted the identity and how identity played a role in navigating these digital spaces. This study focused on nine Queer Black and Latinx masculine identifying individuals to learn about their experiences in online gaming spaces and gain understanding into the potential impacts experiences in digital spaces have on identity and how identity informed how individuals worked to navigate digital spaces. This qualitative dissertation thematically analyzed the narrative of nine individuals. Purposeful sampling, followed by snowball sampling, was used to select individuals to obtain diverse perspectives. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview conducted online due to COVID-19. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Black Cyberfeminism (Richard & Gray, 2018) was used as to frame a conceptual framework for analysis. Five themes emerged from the data: Self, Emotions, Action, Maintenance, and Community. Analysis found that experiences with harassment contributed to feelings of isolation, and low self-esteem. Participants could not rely on in-game mechanics to mitigate harassment. Communities made up of other Queer People of Color provided support and affirmation for participants in online gaming spaces. Additional research is needed to explore the experiences of younger individuals in the age range of their identity development and moving from exploratory research to action.