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    The 'perfect' gay man : an exploration of perfectionism with gay men in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Steadman, Jessica
    This study explores the experiences of gay men in New Zealand who self-identify as perfectionists. The research had three aims: to explore how perfectionism is experienced throughout participants’ day-to-day lives, to understand how participants perceived their perfectionism to develop and change over time, and to investigate the self-perceived effects of perfectionism on participants’ relationships. Recruitment of participants was conducted with the support and assistance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer plus (LGBTQ+) organisations using the snowballing method. Six individuals who identified as male, gay and perfectionistic participated in semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, with participants’ voices located centrally throughout the research. Participants’ accounts were integrated to form three overarching themes: Contributions to Perfectionism, Living with Perfectionism and Journey towards (Im)perfection. It was found that most participants viewed their sexual orientation as contributing to the development of perfectionism, as they sought to compensate for not fulfilling heteronormative standards. Further, participants reported that their perfectionism changed over their lifetime, shifting from being central to their identity to simply being a part of who they are. Participants also reiterated sub-themes related to both positive and negative effects of perfectionism, as well as increased acceptance of their perfectionism over time that mirrored their self-acceptance. These findings challenge current understandings of perfectionism through the inclusion of wider societal and cultural impositions in the development of perfectionism. Further, the way in which participants reported that perfectionism has shifted for them over their lifetimes provides a unique understanding of perfectionism as being potentially changeable in nature.
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    Beyond prevention : lived experiences of pre-exposure prophylaxis in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Kolodziej, Jacek
    The prevailing research perspectives surrounding the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) revolve around public health aspects, offering less insights into the lived experiences of those who use it. This project aimed to expand this perspective and examine the experiences of PrEP users in Aotearoa New Zealand by contextualising them in the local social and cultural backgrounds. Ten individuals (nine men and one non-binary person) who identified as gay were interviewed individually, each on two separate occasions. A method of interviewing that followed the interpretive Gadamerian hermeneutical approach was used to elicit the deeper meanings of PrEP for its users. The theoretical lens of analysis included Bourdieu’s habitus theory and informed understanding of PrEP use and sexual behaviours as social practices. During the interviews, participants shared how their connection with the gay community gave them an informed and empowered status as they actively sought PrEP access. Participants pointed to pervasive heteronormativity in healthcare as a source of difficulties, and they reflected on their methods to challenge it. Many participants demonstrated resilience and were active advocates for themselves and their communities. PrEP was not only seen as one of the methods of HIV prevention, but primarily as an agent of personal and sexual liberation. PrEP also served as an enabler of what was seen as safe condomless sex as a carrier of new or recovered symbolic meanings signifying intimacy, connection, and ecstasy, as contrasted with fear and contagion. Condomless sex constituted an important part of the gay habitus that entailed subversive notions of social resistance contradicting the homonormative ideas of mainstream social acceptability. The use of PrEP enabled interrogation of moralised HIV prevention discourses, where condom use served as proxy for homonormative judgments. Differences were noted in ways participants were reconstructing the notions surrounding sexual liberation depending on their generational experiences of HIV/AIDS history. The new methods of HIV prevention may enable transformation of established discourses that can now allow agentic practices and offer safe ways of embodying desire. The changing notions of sexual risk and safety in previously forbidden practices need to be considered when analysing the impacts of HIV prevention methods and designing public health interventions.
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    Moving beyond 'a hierarchy of pecs and penises' : how gay and queer men contest, resist, negotiate, and perform masculinity : 219855 research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements to the degree of Master of Communication at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2020) Kaulback, Martin
    This narrative inquiry examines the identities and lives of nine gay and queer men living in Wellington, New Zealand as narrated and performed in hour-long semi-structured interviews. Viewing identities as social constructions that are generated through people’s interactions within specific physical and temporal contexts, this research project examines the performative construction of gay and queer masculinity, and the effects of gender and sexuality in the participants’ lives. Through the perspective of a queer male researcher, this project locates gay and queer men within their wider struggles with heteronormativity, and gives voice and privilege to their minority identities and experiences. Narrative analysis of the participants’ stories focuses on how gay and queer individuals navigate their lives as non-normative men who are Othered by traditional, hegemonic and hierarchical masculinity. Viewing identities as unstable and requiring of endless (re)negotiation and (re)performance, this research also examines the complex hierarchical construction of hegemonic homomasculinity by some straight-acting gay men who bolster their own gender performances by Othering femme-presenting individuals. It explores how heteronormative gender constructs and hypermasculine, hypersexual stereotypes affect the lives of the participants, identifying poor self-image, feelings of shameful and inadequate masculinity, and the need for secrecy about their sexuality as key drivers in homomasculine identity development. Additionally, media, pornography and violence are examined as significant in the generation and delayed performance of homomasculine identities. Finally, this research also analyses how some takatāpui and queer-identifying participants negotiate Self with high agency, and perform their identities free of the homohierarchy of traditional, hegemonic gender constructs. By integrating aspects of their gendered, sexual Selves within their identities, queer and takatāpui participants make clear the means by which people with non-normative homomasculine identities may be empowered, liberated and validated as people like all others.
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    "Queer practice" : a consideration of some psychiatric/mental health social work practitioners' constructions of gay male sexualities : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Keen, Brent Mathew Tearle
    It has been almost three decades since the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality in itself as a mental disorder warranting 'corrective' treatment. While sexual preference, as an exclusionary feature of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 in this country, can be seen as reflecting declassification, it does not suggest that same-sex oriented or gay men are exempt from mental ill health. It cannot be denied that positive legislation has made a difference to the lives and opportunities for many, but ongoing homophobic violence and external/internal heteronormative constructions and practices remain a primary problematic influence on the lives and wellbeing of those for whom same-sex desire or activity is a subjective reality, and bearing implications relative to, if not compounding, mental ill health. In social work practice, we often refer to the significance of ecological assessment of the consumer in context, reflecting social work as psychosocial intervention focused at the interface between the consumer and his environment. However, how do we, as psychiatric/mental health social workers, understand or conceptualise or construct a consumer's context in our work with same-sex oriented men who present with mental ill health? What theoretical orientation informs our understandings of the consumer and/in his context? Indeed, how do we construct that context, and do such constructs engage a process of ongoing refiective consideration within an integrated framework of clinical psychiatric/mental health social work practice with gay male consumers? Can the theoretical ideas/frameworks upon which we base our practice adequately acknowledge and identify strategies to contest the impact of a heteronormative social context on a consumer's mental health? Indeed, is practice beyond the directly clinical permitted or possible in the contemporary practice context? The study was two-fold. Part One consisted of unstructured interviews with psychiatric/mental health social work practitioners with regard to their integrated practice with same-sex oriented or gay male consumers in psychiatric/mental health settings. There are no right or wrong responses, no good or bad practitioners, merely an invitation to, and a reflection of, a discourse or critical debate that I hope will continue. Part Two consisted of a half-day presentation I gave on Integrated Queer Practice which outlined an integrated practice framework and considered queer theorising as an example of critical social science theorising subsequently reflected in clinical theorising and the application of these in relation to a mock case study. This presentation was followed by a Focus Group discussion to consider whether or not such a practice could, would and should be applied. The participants' self-reflective discourses reflect the diversity of understandings and challenges of practice with this consumer group within the constraints of the contemporary psychiatric/mental health social work practice context. Social work practice within this practice field reflects the extensive changes in service definition and models of delivery subsequent to the extensive reconfigurings of the health sector over recent years. This has left many of the practitioners with a "here and now" focus on the management of symptom and risk within an immediate context, significantly narrowing the scope of practice at the expense of active contestation of heteronormative social constructs impacting on the well-being of same-sex oriented consumers.
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    The life and ageing experiences of gay men over the age of 65 in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2012) Kushner, Bernard Dean
    BACKGROUND What does it mean to age as a gay man in New Zealand? Until recently, this has been a question difficult to answer as there were no studies completed in New Zealand regarding this topic and thus, this principal work explores this question. AIMS The purpose of this study was to explore the life and ageing experiences of gay men in New Zealand over the age of 65 years. Its three aims were to: • Critically explore the narratives of gay men over 65 years. • Identify areas of support that these men might need as they age, and • Inform professional health practice about the care needs of older gay men. METHODS This enquiry has utilised two theoretical frameworks, narrative gerontology informed by critical gerontology melded together in which to explore the above aims. Data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with 12 men from the ages of 65-81 years of age. Analysis of the data were completed by thematic analysis. FINDINGS There were two main themes that became evident in this project and these were emergence of the gay self and the ageing experience. CONCLUSION Resilience was a significant factor in how well the men aged even in an environment of homophobia. Being independent and having a strong social support network were factors that assisted them in ageing in the absence of a partner. Other ageing concerns that surfaced that were not sexual orientation specific were dealing with loss, death, financial well-being, and the ageist attitudes of others. The men were wary of sharing their sexual orientation with too many healthcare professionals and they feared having to potentially hide their sexual orientation again if they ever needed to go into a long-term care setting in the future. This study highlights the unique experiences of ageing among older gay men in New Zealand. Healthcare professionals as well as nurse educators and researchers must recognise the unique history of this group of men and any conflicts this group may have with others of different orientation in order to assist them to age well in a safe social environment.