Communication ETDs
Publication Date
Spring 4-29-2020
Abstract
The Mormon Church is one of the fastest growing and most conservative religious organizations in the world. The Church’s conservatism has meant that its rhetorics, doctrines, and discourses have cultivated a culture of queerphobia and anti-queer sentiments. By interviewing 15 transgender, bisexual, and gay Mormons who are active in the Church, I conducted a critical thematic analysis that yields insights and critiques into how Mormon rhetoric impacts the identity performances and relationships of queer members. Using queer theory and Whiteness as conceptual and theoretical lenses, the analysis revealed four major themes: 1) queerness as non-identity, 2) the primacy of divine identity, 3) paradoxes of ideologies, and 4) health issues regarding identity performance. The communicative impacts of these themes highlight the intricate influence Mormon rhetoric has on relationships and shaping the participants’ identity performances. Limitations are discussed and future directions are encouraged.
Language
English
Keywords
Queer, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LGBT, Whiteness, Identity Performance, Divine
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Communication
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
Department of Communication and Journalism
First Committee Member (Chair)
Shinshuke Eguchi
Second Committee Member
Yangsun Hong
Third Committee Member
David Weiss
Recommended Citation
Brandley, Ben. "“This is How You Navigate the World”: Impacts of Mormon Rhetoric on White Queer Members' Identity Performances." (2020). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cj_etds/133
Included in
Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Religion Commons
