
In a world where people are often told to 鈥渂e yourself,鈥 what happens when you can鈥檛?
UM-Dearborn psychology graduate student Charlie Giraud wants to know. So he鈥檚 spent more than a year researching the psychological effect of identity concealment in minority communities 鈥 and in particular, people who identify as .
鈥淚 am a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I have so many friends and loved ones who go to great lengths to conceal parts of themselves. Some are at peace with this, but many conceal because of fear for safety and wanting to 鈥榝it in鈥 to the world around them,鈥 Giraud says. 鈥淚鈥檝e done this too 鈥 watched to make sure my hands weren鈥檛 moving too much, being careful not to sound a certain way when I talked. It鈥檚 very stressful. So what is the effect of this stress?鈥
Giraud recently presented his 鈥淒iscrimination, Concealment, & Multiple Minority Status within LGBTQ+ Populations鈥 research during UM-Dearborn鈥檚 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition; he came in first place. Giraud says his thesis adviser Psychology Associate Professor Michelle Leonard encouraged him to present and he appreciates the research support from both Leonard and Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies Associate Professor Amy Brainer.
The 3MT Competition, originally developed by The University of Queensland, cultivates academic, presentation and research communication skills with students presenting their work succinctly and in an easy-to-understand way. The virtual campus event was sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Research. Giraud will remotely present later this month at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools 3MT Competition.
Giraud says there鈥檚 a lack of research on this topic and he鈥檚 glad to have a platform like 3MT to share his research. He says membership in LGBTQ+ community is heavily reliant on identity-centered factors. Because of this, many people within this population face forms of individual (perceived) and institutional (systemic) discrimination, which often leads to concealment.
He says people in the LGBTQ+ community anecdotally know this. But data is needed to academically validate these experiences and move inclusive institutional policies forward.
鈥淟GBTQ+ individuals who have faced forms of discrimination are more likely to have adverse physical and psychological health consequences,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hey often turn to various coping mechanisms, such as concealment of their identity 鈥 for protection and safety 鈥 which often contributes to lower levels of reporting acts of discrimination through legal avenues due to fear of identity disclosure and other factors. This isn鈥檛 good for the individual or for society. Change is needed.鈥 Giraud says his research is ongoing and he鈥檚 also looking how being a member of multiple minority groups 鈥 for example, if someone identifies as Black and gay 鈥 influences concealment.
Giraud, who plans to pursue a doctoral degree and become a therapist specializing in LGBTQ+ needs, looks forward to presenting his work to a larger audience. He says his research is helping him grow professionally and personally.
鈥淭here is much to be concerned about. But looking at these issues is also empowering. You realize you are not alone; identity concealment is a common experience. There鈥檚 some comfort in that,鈥 he says. 鈥淎nd by doing this presentation, I am no longer concealing 鈥 I am being myself and putting myself out there. I hope others find inspiration in that.鈥