Introduction: Coming out is the process through which most of the resocialization of sexual minorities takes place to face the common normativities. Recently within the LGBTQIA+ community, “inviting-in”, a novel concept, has emerged, which gives greater empowerment and agency to the individual, moving from the confession paradigm to the gift one. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the differences between generations and sexual identities towards the topic of revealing sexuality using the participatory action-research method of photovoice, which combines photography and group discussion to empower participants to express parts of themselves to their community. Methods: A call for participants to LGBTQIA+ people and allies was launched in spring 2025. Starting with a small group of participants, we initiated activities to discuss the topic of coming out, learn photographic techniques, and discuss the pictures taken by participants pertaining to the topic of revealing sexual identity. Participants then chose photographs accompanied by descriptions that, will be part of a public exhibition with the theme “coming out and inviting in.” During these activities, an ethnographic work was carried out based on participant observation, focus groups, and short interviews with participants, which, together with photos, formed the empirical material for the research, which was then analyzed by reflexive thematic analysis. Results: By comparing different experiences, identities, and biographies, it was possible to glimpse a gap between the ways in which different narratives can be described by the notions of coming out and inviting in, depending on the assumptions that the participants used to report their experiences. Conclusions: Revealing sexual identity is not neutral but encompasses symbols, meanings, and negotiations between people who belong to and stand outside the community, so it is important to consider their value in contexts of educational nature, psychological assistance, and care from professionals.
FROM COMING OUT TO INVITING IN: A PHOTOVOICE STUDY OF THE INTERGENERATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE RELATED TO THEIR SEXUAL IDENTITY
Elena TubertiniSupervision
;
2025
Abstract
Introduction: Coming out is the process through which most of the resocialization of sexual minorities takes place to face the common normativities. Recently within the LGBTQIA+ community, “inviting-in”, a novel concept, has emerged, which gives greater empowerment and agency to the individual, moving from the confession paradigm to the gift one. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the differences between generations and sexual identities towards the topic of revealing sexuality using the participatory action-research method of photovoice, which combines photography and group discussion to empower participants to express parts of themselves to their community. Methods: A call for participants to LGBTQIA+ people and allies was launched in spring 2025. Starting with a small group of participants, we initiated activities to discuss the topic of coming out, learn photographic techniques, and discuss the pictures taken by participants pertaining to the topic of revealing sexual identity. Participants then chose photographs accompanied by descriptions that, will be part of a public exhibition with the theme “coming out and inviting in.” During these activities, an ethnographic work was carried out based on participant observation, focus groups, and short interviews with participants, which, together with photos, formed the empirical material for the research, which was then analyzed by reflexive thematic analysis. Results: By comparing different experiences, identities, and biographies, it was possible to glimpse a gap between the ways in which different narratives can be described by the notions of coming out and inviting in, depending on the assumptions that the participants used to report their experiences. Conclusions: Revealing sexual identity is not neutral but encompasses symbols, meanings, and negotiations between people who belong to and stand outside the community, so it is important to consider their value in contexts of educational nature, psychological assistance, and care from professionals.
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