De
Mar M. Bangeles
Holy Cross of Davao College, Indonesia
Email: [email protected]
�
|
Keywords: |
abstract |
|
psychology, incarcerated homosexual men, homosexuality, coping mechanisms,
prison life, Philippines |
This study aimed to uncover the lived
experiences of homosexual men behind bars; their coping mechanisms, as well
as insights that can be learned from their incarceration. Qualitative
research design by means of phenomenology was used with validated
semi-structured interview guide as a tool in gathering the responses of the
participants of this inquiry. The study employed an in-depth interview with
nine participants incarcerated at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology,
Maa, Davao City, Philippines. The participants shared their primary
experiences such as involvement with prohibited drugs, paying the price of
one�s transgressions, dealing with painful realities behind bars, living with
HIV/AIDS, longing for family, finding a little niche under the sun as a woman
and relishing romantic relationships. The coping mechanisms of the
participants included being actively involved and occupied, entertaining
oneself with jovial activities, getting spiritual, being positive and
accepting and getting a grip of oneself. The participants have also shared
their insights as a result of their incarceration; live clean, stay away from
drugs, alcohol and bad company, education is undoubtedly important, every
action has a corresponding repercussion, there is something positive in every
situation, and hope springs eternal.����
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INTRODUCTION
Studies about incarcerated men and women are
conducted yearly around the world. These studies usually aim to know the status
(psychological and physical) and experiences of either or both men and women in
prison as in the studies of Faiia (2009) and Dolovich (2009). In addition, here
in the Philippines, most of these studies are conducted to know the effect/s of
incarceration, if any to the children of these individuals � to know if it has
an impact to the various aspects of the life of a child such as academic/school
performance, social interaction and adaptation, coping mechanisms, personality
and the like.
In the advent of the technology age however,
where people become more expressive, explorative and to some extent, supportive
of the endeavors of their peers, family members and acquaintances, studies with
Homosexual Males as participants dwell most of the time on the issues like
discrimination in various aspects of the lives of these individuals such as in
the workplace, school, community and family and only a handful are researches
conducted to investigate the status and experiences of individuals who identify
themselves as homosexual males who are incarcerated and most often than not,
these studies are concentrated on negative experiences by gay men behind bars
such as sexual assault bullying and cruelty to name a few (Dolovich, 2009;
2011; Howarth, 1980; Just Detention International, 2013; California Coalition
Against Sexual Assault, 2010).�
In the Philippines, studies about homosexual
males are focused on Human Rights Violations as in the coalition report
submitted to the 106th Session of the Human Rights Committee by the
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) (2012). In
addition, studies about culture acceptance to male homosexuality are conducted
as in the study by Foe (2014) that was presented in International Academic
Forum entitled �Tolerated if Discreet: 1960s Filipino Gays� but very scarce
inquiry was done to suffice questions pertinent to answering probes related to
the current situation and experiences of Gays or Homosexual males in prisons.
However, there was an attempt to qualify how the life of a homosexual male in
prison was but this was after the participant was released in prison in Cebu
City Philippines and narrated his story in an article written by Michael David
dela Cruz Tan in 2015 for Outrage entitled Pink Behind Bars still focusing on
the negative experiences of a gay man in prison (poverty, sexual assault to
name a few). In addition, there is too much highlight on the negativity that is
happening behind bars and very scarce are researches that focus on stories of
resilience, change and new beginnings and not to mention coping mechanisms and
insights from these institutionalized individuals.�
Researches relevant to the lives of homosexual
men are very limited as well here in Davao City and most often than not, these
are scientific inquiries related to other things but not connected with the
experiences of incarcerated homosexual men. It is through these premises that
the researcher wants to focus on � to know the status and experiences of
incarcerated homosexual men in Davao City; their lived experiences, struggles,
triumphs as well as their coping mechanisms behind bars, including the insights
that can be learned from their experiences as incarcerated homosexual men. This
research has a personal appeal to the researcher because he identifies himself as
one � a homosexual male and as a graduate student taking up Psychology, it is a
duty for him to narrate the experiences of people from different walks of life
to serve as an eye opener to the masses as to the current situation of not just
straight heterosexual individuals but also those people who consider themselves
as a member of the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Queers, Intersex and
Asexual (LGBTQIA) community, particularly gay men who are incarcerated.
Homosexual males (and the LGBTQIA as a whole)
live a very colorful life; hence the rainbow as our representation. But just
how colorful is a life of a gay man could be even after he is incarcerated?
Moreover, the tenacity of this inquiry is directed towards answering inquiries
about the experiences of gay men behind bars (being imprisoned) and are they
still able to spread their wings and fly even after being caged; considering
other aspects of the lives of these individuals not just the negatives but
possibly the positives as well. In addition, the study aims to know how
incarceration has impacted the lives of these homosexual males as a whole.
Localizing various studies around the globe
and from a specific part of the country (Tan, 2015) are also seen as a purpose
of this research since those studies mentioned above are of qualitative nature,
hence results of such may or may not be applicable locally. Trying to
understand other aspects of the lives of homosexual males behind bars is also
seen as an aim of this endeavor apart from the commonly reported experience of
sexual assault. Shedding light to these are the purposes of this study since it
has been established in the opening vignette that very little researches have
been conducted to investigate the said topic.
����������� Imprisonment has many negative
consequences for individuals, including losing their homes, jobs, and social
ties, as well as facing a crisis of self-narrative. LGBT prisoners face
additional challenges, such as discrimination, victimization, and abuse, in
addition to the general harsh and hostile environment of prisons. These
challenges are often ignored by prison staff or correctional officers due to
their negative attitudes towards LGBT individuals. The literature offers
limited discussion about these challenges, which include access to justice,
health care, family links, and protection from sexual abuse and rape, as well
as the attitudes of prison staff and other prisoners towards homosexuality and
gender nonconformity in prison. Police brutality is also identified as a form of
victimization suffered by LGBT people when arrested (Maruna, Wilson, &
Curran, 2006; Roberts, 2006; Erwin, 2012; UNODC, 2009)
����������� Neglect of the security and support
needs of LGBT prisoners can lead to further victimization, which may include
sexual requests and participation in prostitution that exacerbates prison
staff�s sexual prejudice against them. Moreover, their lack of contact with
families and limited support from prison staff may force them to rely on other
LGBT prisoners for social support. However, formation of gay communities is
discouraged due to the belief that same-sex sexual encounters cause health
problems in prisons. The experiences of LGBT prisoners are often invisible in
the literature and are viewed as victims of their circumstances. Empowerment of
LGBT prisoners can be achieved by highlighting their stories of resilience and
reframing how we position them from victims to agents. However, there is a
dearth of studies on the lived experiences of LGBT prisoners. National
mechanisms are needed to ensure the safety and equality of LGBT prisoners in
prisons (UNODC, 2009; Dumond, 2000; Eigenberg, 2000; Pintobtang & Bualar,
2012; Candaliza-Guttierez, 2012; Ofreneo, 2013; JDI, 2009; Erwin, 2012).
����������� Erwin (2015) reported that there may
be up to 10,000 gay men in prison in England and Wales, where homophobia is
prevalent despite the official "condom policy" and "don't ask,
don't tell" strategy. The Howard League for Penal Reform's independent
commission found that the prison culture, which is based on hypermasculinity
and a hierarchy of dominance, lends itself to rape, especially when sexual
minorities are housed with violent offenders. Kupers (2001) identified four
crucial aspects of the prison culture that contribute to rape: the hierarchy of
domination, the delineation between top and bottom rankings, the overt power
differential, and the inescapable nature of the system. The study by Ibrahim
(1974) supported this hypothesis and found that prison officials� attitudes and
tolerance reinforce inmates� behavior, while overcrowding and housing and
classification obstacles are major contributors to the problem.
����������� In the article, "Prison Rape: A
Critical Review of the Literature," the author discusses the four aspects
of prison culture that contribute to the problem of prison rape. The second
aspect, according to Kupers (2001), is the strong delineation between the top
and bottom of the prison hierarchy. Fear motivates inmates to rape others, as
more dominant inmates fear becoming victims. Power and domination are the means
of achieving status within the hierarchy, and many inmates act out sexually to
keep from being victimized. The third aspect is that higher ranks are
associated with masculinity, while those at the bottom are seen as weak or
"punks." The last aspect is that the prison culture is inescapable,
and staff members have acted as both perpetrators and perpetuators of sexual
violence. Studies have shown that staff members have contributed to the problem
of prison rape through sexual misconduct and passivity, with anecdotal reports
revealing that staff members overhear screams and cries for help during rape
but remain passive. The prison culture is further complicated by the
conventional beliefs held by staff within the prison system. Sexual acts between
males within prisons are often viewed as consensual homosexual relations
between inmates, influencing how staff responds to such incidents. This stigma
remains even more so for those who are victimized and sexual minorities. When
prison staff fail to understand the greater picture, these unhelpful
attributions perpetuate the cycle of victimization. An inmate typically becomes
turned out through varying types of coercion including bodily force rape, rape
by threat, and rape by subjugation. These types of rapes typically involve
strangers and take place in locations such as restrooms, showers, and
dormitories. Once raped, the victim is then marred for the rest of his
sentence�and even the rest of his life. Inmates in prisons are at high risk of
victimization, including rape and sexual assault, which can result in the
"turning out" of weaker inmates by subjecting them to rape and
branding them. This process can also involve three types of inmate coercion,
including bodily force rape, rape by threat, and rape by subjugation. In order
to avoid victimization, some inmates may choose to disobey prison rules or opt
for seclusion or protective pairing with dominant inmates. However, these
alternatives come with high costs, including being sold to other inmates for sex
or being forced to take on more traditional feminine roles. Protective pairing
relationships often go undetected by staff and other inmates as they are
perceived as consensual. Understanding the process of victimization and
vulnerable populations in prisons is essential to take preventative and
prosecutorial measures to eliminate sexual victimization (Thomas, 2015).
����������� Research suggests that substance use
disorders and related problems are more prevalent in lesbian, gay, and bisexual
(LGB) populations. Sociocultural factors (e.g., affiliation with gay culture,
HIV status) and bisexual identity and/or behavior are among the correlates of
substance use patterns in LGB populations, and limitations of extant research
prevent conclusions about the relative impact of LGB-specific interventions.
Grella, Greenwell, Mays, and Cochran (2009) found that minority sexual
orientation populations report higher rates of drug use and related problems
than do others. Furthermore, homosexual prisoners face health concerns such as
outbreak of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) in prison due to consensual
and/or coerced unprotected sexual activities. The lack of condom provisions is
identified as one of the reasons for the prevalence of STDs in prisons, and
LGBT prisoners� knowledge about STDs and their perception of their partners�
HIV status often affect their (non)use of condoms during sexual encounters.
LGBT prisoners� needs for psychological support and mental health care are also
a crucial health issue that has to be addressed. There are both public health
and ethical reasons for monitoring the occurrence of HIV in prisons and
detention centers. Penal institutions are ideal sites for providing public
health and social welfare programs for marginalized populations, and interventions
should include treatment for acute and chronic health conditions, screening for
treatable diseases, and health education (Green & Feinstein, 2012; Harawa
et al., 2010; Matic, Lazarus, & Donoghoe, 2006; Pintobtang & Bualar,
2012; UNODC, 2009; WHO, UNODC, & UNAIDS, 2007).
����������� Castro et al. (2009) conducted a
study titled "Mariposa sa Likod ng Rehas: Coping Mechanisms of Homosexual
Inmates" which aimed to identify coping strategies used by gay inmates in
the Philippines. The study found that gay inmates often keep quiet or ignore
humiliation to avoid abuse and obey commands from male inmates to survive. They
also relied on their faith in God and the Bible for emotional support. Engaging
in activities such as beautification services, livelihood, and joining
organizations or gangs also helped them cope. The study suggests that more
research is needed to explore the perspectives of incarcerated homosexual men
and calls for help from concerned government agencies and non-government
organizations to support this vulnerable population.
On the contrary, as a believer of humanistic
and positive psychology, the researcher still believes that there are good and
positive experiences that incarcerated men could share despite their current
situation hence could be a source of motivation and inspiration for the
possible readers of this study.
The research aims to explore the experiences
of homosexual men in prison, focusing on their coping mechanisms and extracting
insights from their incarceration. Grounded in the psychoanalytic theory of
Freud, the study delves into the notion that males and females are born
undifferentiated, and anatomy shapes mental processes and social behaviors.
Freud's proposition of pansexual, bisexual, and homosexual nature, and the
progression toward heterosexuality after overcoming developmental complexes,
serves as a theoretical lens. The psychodynamic theory further posits that
antisocial behaviors are rooted in unconscious processes from early childhood,
governed by the id, ego, and superego. Weak ego links to social issues,
immaturity, and dependence. Additionally, Carl Jung's concept of anima and
animus, representing feminine and masculine tendencies, is explored. The
research synthesizes insights from Freud, Bartholomew, Docena, Alegre, Fiest
& Fiest, and Wehr (1933; 2003; 2013; 2006; 2013; 1964) to provide a
comprehensive understanding of the psychological dimensions of homosexual men's
experiences behind bars.
METHOD
The research design employed in this study is
qualitative and phenomenological, focusing on the experiences of incarcerated
homosexual men and their coping mechanisms. Phenomenology, emphasizing
individual experiences and subjective knowledge, guides the exploration through
a semi-structured interview approach. The study involved nine participants from
the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Davao City, selected through
purposive sampling based on specific inclusion criteria outlined in the Revised
Penal Code of the Philippines. The voluntary nature of participation and
respect for withdrawal were emphasized. Data collection involved a validated
semi-structured interview guide, conducted by a trained psychometrician
assisted by BJMP personnel. The collected data underwent encoding,
transcription, and analysis by the researcher, addressing credibility,
transferability, dependability, and conformability for trustworthiness. Ethical
considerations adhered to guidelines from the UM Ethics Review Committee, the
American Psychological Association, and the Psychological Association of the
Philippines, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality through pseudonyms, and
ethical protocols. The study's ethical conduct and methodological rigor
contribute to its overall reliability and validity.
RESULTS
AND DISCUSSION
This chapter presents the life and experiences
of incarcerated homosexual men. Their responses were taken from the individual
in-depth interview conducted by the researcher from nine self-identified
incarcerated homosexual men; with the aim of knowing their experiences behind
bars, their coping mechanisms and the insights that can be learned from their
experiences.
This chapter is further divided into three
parts: Part One is the participants� data from which the qualitative data were
collated; Part Two is the analysis procedure and the steps in categorization of
the emergent themes from the results of the individual in-depth interview
questions under each research problems; and Part Three is the summary of the
responses.
Profile
of the Informants in the In-Depth Interview
The study was conducted with nine homosexual
male inmates who were currently incarcerated at the Annex Building of the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Davao City, six of whom had been
diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
Table 1
Profile of the Informants in the In-Depth
Interview
|
Pseudonym |
Criminal
Offense |
Number of
Mos./Yrs. Incarcerated |
Medical
Condition |
Age |
|
Butterfly Gary |
Violation of RA 9165 |
11 Yrs. |
Tuberculosis |
42 |
|
Butterfly Tamtam |
Violation of RA 9165 |
3 Yrs. |
HIV/AIDS |
36 |
|
Butterfly Zalde |
Violation of RA 9165 |
3 Yrs. & 4 Mos. |
None |
39 |
|
Butterfly Jessa |
Violation of RA 9165 |
3 Yrs & 6 Mos. |
HIV/AIDS |
35 |
|
Butterfly Kate |
Violation of RA 9165 |
3 Mos. |
HIV/AIDS |
26 |
|
Butterfly Tutchi |
Violation of RA 9165 |
1 Yr. |
HIV/AIDS |
38 |
|
Butterfly Beyonce |
Violation of RA 9165 |
4 Yrs. |
HIV/AIDS |
41 |
|
Butterfly Herfz |
Violation of RA 9165 |
3 Yrs &5 Mos. |
HIV/AIDS |
33 |
|
Butterfly Tomtom |
Violation of RA 9165 |
5 Yrs. & 6 Mos. |
None |
35 |
����������� Two participants were transferred
from the Main Facility upon request and for safety reasons. The participants
violated Republic Act 9165, which is the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of
2002. The data were categorized and regrouped to generate 18 essential themes,
and the important phrases that emerged from the transcripts were identified as
Core Ideas (Peralta, 1977).
Experiences
of Homosexual Men Behind Bars
Involvement with
prohibited drugs and drug-related activities. As per the account of the participants, the primary reason for
their incarceration was due to their involvement with the prohibited drugs;
they have violated various sections of the RA 9165 otherwise known as the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
����������� This
furthers what is stated in the research conducted by Green and Feinster in 2012
averring that historically, substance use problems were thought to be prevalent
among sexual minorities (LGBT). Additionally, in
a study conducted by Grella et al. in 2009, they mentioned that prior
epidemiological surveys, both population-based and respondent-driven, have
shown that minority sexual orientation populations report higher rates of drug
use and related problems than do others.
Table 2
Major Themes and Core Ideas on the Experiences
of Homosexual Men Behind Bars
|
Major Themes |
Core Ideas |
||||||
|
Involvement with
prohibited drugs and drug-related activities |
Incarcerated
for drug pushing |
||||||
|
Rehabilitated
for drug use, but relapsed and got caught |
|||||||
|
Violation
of RA 9165 |
|||||||
|
Arrested
because of drugs; betrayed by a trusted friend. |
|||||||
|
Caught
using/pushing drugs in entrapment operation. |
|||||||
|
Drug
related case; Rebelled against parents |
|||||||
|
Caught
having pot session |
|||||||
|
Paying the price for
one�s transgressions |
Suffering
for own wrong doings; feeling worthless |
||||||
|
Not
getting what one wants; losing freedom |
|||||||
|
Having
to fight off boredom |
|||||||
|
Losing
a lot of things, job, time, opportunity to help family, etc. |
|||||||
|
Being
restricted; communication is hindered |
|||||||
|
Life
imprisonment looming in the horizon |
|||||||
|
Had
to change lifestyle; wake up very early |
|||||||
|
Used
to be grandiose, but now content with simple things |
|||||||
|
Dealing with sad and
painful realities behind bars |
Unappealing,
unpalatable, insufficient food ration |
||||||
|
Being
uncomfortable in prison, too overcrowded |
|||||||
|
Anxiety
because of uncertainties and insecurities |
|||||||
|
Problem
with debts here and there |
|||||||
|
Having
to do things and not depend on others |
|||||||
|
Drug
use still rampant in jail; easy to secure drugs behind bars |
|||||||
|
Rivalry
for boys; jealousy when other inmates get near boyfriend |
|||||||
|
Having
fights and conflict with other inmates; gossips, word war |
|||||||
|
Performing
lewd acts in exchange for goods, vending to earn |
|||||||
|
Living with HIV/AIDS |
Became
butt of rumors because of AIDS infection |
||||||
|
Learned
about being HIV positive |
|||||||
|
Discriminated
because of the HIV infection |
|||||||
|
Referred
to as the gay inmate with AIDS |
|||||||
|
Not
allowed to go out by cell leader so as not to infect others |
|||||||
|
Longing for family
and connection with world outside |
Got
sick, no visits; family is afar |
||||||
|
Difficulty
adjusting, feeling sad, crying |
|||||||
|
Miss
family; siblings, nephews, nieces |
|||||||
|
Had
no visits in jail; feel like being forgotten |
|||||||
|
Nobody
to help follow up the case |
|||||||
|
Envious
with others who have visitors. |
|||||||
|
Mom
lost job, support stopped coming. |
|||||||
|
Realized
love for mother when in prison; took for granted before. |
|||||||
|
Had
to take drugs to dull the pain of missing family |
|||||||
|
Finding a little
niche under the sun as a �woman� |
|
||||||
|
Relishing special
romantic relationships |
Homosexuals
very welcome in prison; regarded well |
||||||
|
Very
easy to find a boyfriend in jail; had a handsome boyfriend. |
|||||||
|
Happiness
is having a boyfriend to take care of; to support needs. |
|||||||
|
Had
relationship with someone who gave care and attention. |
|||||||
|
Relationships
with male inmate is like real husband and wife. |
|||||||
|
Gays
get good help/support from partners; treated like wife. |
|||||||
|
First
time to experience serious relationship with a man. |
����������� Just the thought of being
incarcerated is very difficult to bear; more so when you experience it
firsthand. This is what the participants came to experience the moment they
were taken in the facility of BJMP. To name a few, they have experienced how it
is like to be in a very uncomfortable and overcrowded prison, having to deal
with unpalatable, and unappealing and insufficient food ration; experience
anxiety and deal with debts and performing lewd acts in exchange of goods. In
addition, being in prison also limits one�s capacity and potentials for growth
and development.
����������� Imprisonment
contains countless, well-known �pains� and individuals who are kept in these
institutions face many crises (Maruna, Wilson, & Curran, 2006). These findings further
support that despite the
developments in the programs of many prison systems in the world, the physical
and social environments that the PDLs face remain harsh and hostile. In the
Philippines, for example, one of the human rights violations identified by the
United States� Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (2013) is the
torture and inhumane treatment of PDLs. Overcrowded prisons, lack of basic
provisions such as food, potable water and medical attention, limited
opportunities for self-development
������
Living
with HIV/AIDS
To be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS
is agonizing and what makes it more distressing is to find out about this
condition while in prison. Some of the participants have known about their
condition via testing inside the jail and one can only imagine the pain
associated with it. Some of the key informants have experienced discrimination
and has been called names because of their diagnosis; some have been restricted
to go out of their prison cell so as not to �infect� other inmates.
����������� This goes against what is mentioned in the
research of Matic et al. in 2006 that confidentiality and sound ethical
principles should be performed in evaluating HIV/AIDS infection especially in
prisons. Not all experiences associated with being diagnosed with the abovementioned
illness are negative; some of the informants have felt acceptance from the
people inside the jail hence accepting the fate as a person with HIV/AIDS
smoothly.���
Longing
for Family and Connection with the Outside
����������� Being incarcerated entails
one to be away from an individual�s primary source of support. Some of the
informants said that as part of their experience inside the jail, there are
those times that they would get sick yet receive no visit at all because of the
fact that their family is away. They have also shared that they miss their
family � parents, siblings and nephew so bad. Due to the infrequent visits that
they get, the participants would think sometimes that their family have
forgotten them already and because of this, a participant had to take drugs
inside the jail (when drugs was still rampant) to ease the pain of missing
one�s family. This supports the findings of the report of United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crimes in 2009 that lack of contact and with parents and other family members is a
challenge homosexual men face behind bars.
�����
Finding
a Little Niche under the Sun as a Woman and Relishing Special Romantic������ Relationships
����������� As per the accounts of the
participants: �ang mga bayot ang babae
diri sa jail� (gays are the women here in jail) � hence being gay served
the participants well behind bars. Some made mention that they have felt like
goddesses and that boys are competing for their attention and are courting
them; they are also treated like real women and treated the prettiest even if
they are not that comely. As a result, they have found romantic relationships
inside the jail that have helped them survive their day-to-day living.
According to the participants as well, there were no instances wherein gays are
maltreated nor raped and that gays are very much welcome in prison.
����������� This being
said, this goes against the result of former inquiries stating that gays have
suffered from sexual abuse or rape while inside the jail (Alarid, 2000; Association for the Prevention
of Torture [APT], 2015, Dumond, 2000; Harawa et al., 2010; Just Detention
International, 2009; Neal & Clements, 2010; Pintobtang & Bualar, 2012;
UNODC, 2009; Thomas, 2015; WHO, UNODC, & UNAIDS, 2007; Kupers, 2001). �
Coping
Mechanisms of Incarcerated Homosexual Men
����������� Being Actively Involved and Occupied
and Entertaining Self with Jovial Activities and Tasks. A study conducted by Castro et al. (2009)
outlined several coping mechanisms that homosexual men turn to while
incarcerated. One of these is engaging into activities such as beautification
services (pedicure, manicure and haircut), livelihood and joining organizations
inside the prison.
����������� This has been proven true by the
results of this inquiry. Some of the participants of this research mentioned
that to cope, they have engaged into livelihood such as making purses and bags,
offering massage to other inmates� visitors; joining events such as Ms. Gay and
playing games and organizing sports activities; teaching and or studying under
ALS and engaging into trivial activities such as gossiping, watching TV and
even looking at their handsome crush.�
Table 3
Major Themes and Core Ideas on Coping
Mechanisms of
Incarcerated Homosexual Men
|
Major Themes |
Core Ideas |
|
Being actively
involved and occupied |
Playing
games; organizing sports activities and leagues |
|
Taking
part in shows and Ms Gay events inside jail |
|
|
Helping
out fellow inmates as a way of coping. |
|
|
Joining
events inside prison just for fun. |
|
|
Accepting
laundry jobs to earn money; doing tutorial work. |
|
|
Teaching
ALS to inmates who are uneducated |
|
|
Studying
under ALS; doing community service |
|
|
Learning
ways to earn like crocheting, making bags, massaging |
|
|
Entertaining self
with jovial activities and tasks |
Gossip
with fellow inmates morning till night time |
|
Just
watch TV; do things that can make one happy. |
|
|
Watch
other inmates and friends play volleyball. |
|
|
Just
laugh all troubles away; sleep all woes away. |
|
|
Looking
at handsome crush. |
|
|
Keeping
self-entertained with gossip and other things. |
|
|
Just
searching for some kind of happiness and excitement. |
|
|
Getting spiritual
and cultivating a relationship with the Divine. |
Pray
every night; ask for God�s guidance. |
|
Talk
to God; prayers give strength to face problems. |
|
|
Let
things be; let God rule life. |
|
|
Calling
on God; praying for quick resolution of case. |
|
|
Read
the Bible almost every day. |
|
|
Go
to church; pray regularly, attend mass. |
|
|
Being positive and
accepting |
Not
thinking about worries; paying no mind to them |
|
Not
dwell on the past; what�s done is done. |
|
|
Accepted
the situation; being HIV positive and in prison |
|
|
Just
moving on with life; not minding if freedom comes or not. |
|
|
Just
go on with life; continue flourishing. |
|
|
Learning
to be content with present situation. |
|
|
Always
trying to get along well with others. |
|
|
Focus
on what can be done best to earn rather than sulk. |
|
|
Paying
no mind to what people say. |
|
|
Turning to family
and friends for support |
Communicating
with family. |
|
Thinking
about love of family. |
|
|
Opening
up to closest friends. |
|
|
Gay
friends continue to be supportive and good. |
|
|
Getting a better
grip of oneself |
Being
calm; minding own business |
|
Having
enough dose of patience inside prison bars |
|
|
Not
letting stress affect and compound situation |
|
|
Not
giving in to emotions |
|
|
Being
sensitive to the needs and feelings of others |
Cultivating
a Relationship with the Divine and Being Positive and Accepting
����������� Accepting one�s fate and being positive about
it is quite difficult especially if your reality entails being incarcerated for
an uncertain period of time. For some of the gay PDLs however, they managed to
embrace their current situation and become optimistic about it through the
Divine and entrusting everything in God�s hands.
����������� This is in alignment to previous
researches saying that faith in God sustains the homosexual inmates� belief to
surpass their travails, such as loss of hope and courage. Lack of choice and
emotional support system has impelled these homosexual inmates to renew their
faith in God. Every day, the Bible is a handy companion (Castro et al., 2009).
Turning
to Family and Friends for Support and Getting a Better Grip of Oneself
����������� Handling
one�s emotions especially in a prison setting might be hard to do. However, due
to the support that the PDLs are receiving from their families and friends,
they are able to keep or recover their self-control and continue striving
inside the prison. Some of them turned to friends for support, some maintained
a communication with their families. As a result, they controlled their
emotions better, had more patience inside the jail and became calm behind bars
which are important to possess while incarcerated so as not to be involved with
fights and misunderstandings.
����������� This
somehow refutes the result of the inquiry conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes in 2009
which states that one of the challenges faced by incarcerated gay men is a lack
of contact and connection with their families; wherein it is a fact that they
have turned to the latter for support and undergird.
Insights of Homosexual Men
from their Experiences Behind Bars
����������� Live Clean, Stay Away from Drugs, Alcohol and Bad Company. It is somehow a common knowledge that one should stay distant from
destructive things such as drugs, alcohol and bad company. This has been
reiterated multiple times by the participants of this research; one must heed
their �warning� � this has become more meaningful since this is coming from
those people who paid a great deal of price for acquainting themselves with
such activities.
����������� As a result, the participants have suffered
from countless, well-known �pains� and individuals who are kept in these institutions
face many crises. They are statistically very likely to lose their homes and
jobs, become estranged from their families and friends, and struggle to
reconnect with these social ties after their release (Maruna et al., 2006).
Table 4
Major Themes and Core Ideas on Insights of
Homosexual Men
From Their Experience Behind Bars
|
Major Themes |
Thematic
Statements |
|
Live clean, stay
away from drugs, alcohol and bad company. |
Vices
do not serve one in good stead; avoid alcohol and drugs. |
|
Do
not venture into things that are not good; vices, drugs. |
|
|
Don�t
even think about tasting drugs � that will lead to perdition. |
|
|
Choose
your friends well; avoid bad company and influences. |
|
|
Avoid
self-destructing choices; say no to drugs. |
|
|
Drugs
is no good for a person�s being and existence. |
|
|
Drugs
is a menace to life and society; does one no good. |
|
|
Wouldn't
be behind bars if I were educated. |
|
|
The
lack of education led to present predicament. |
|
|
Education is
undoubtedly important. |
It
is good to have education; gives life a sense of direction. |
|
Wouldn't
have gone into drugs if I had education. |
|
|
Prioritize
studies as vices will do you no good. |
|
|
Do
well in studies; avoid engaging in gangsterism. |
|
|
There
would be many opportunities if only I was educated. |
|
|
Deciding
against studying was a major failure. |
|
|
Before
doing anything, think of the consequences multiple times. |
|
|
Everything
one does has rebound effect. |
|
|
Every action has a
corresponding repercussion. |
Really
weigh the consequences of your actions. |
|
Contemplate
before doing something you might regret later on. |
|
|
I
am in this predicament because I did not listen to parents. |
|
|
If
I haven�t done those things, I might have a decent job today. |
|
|
Have
new experiences in jail which enriched me as a person. |
|
|
Being
incarcerated taught certain life lessons. |
|
|
There is something
positive in every situation |
Grown
better as a son and as a person inside prison. |
|
Experiences
behind bars changed me as a person. |
|
|
Being
in jail made stopped all vices; became responsible. |
|
|
Discovered
that family will never forsake no matter what I do. |
|
|
Discovered
talent; that there are many other things I can do. |
|
|
Found
fulfillment as a woman/gay person inside prison. |
|
|
Became
mature; experienced serious relationship with a man. |
|
|
Learned
ways to make money here like crocheting, bag making. |
|
|
One
can be happy even without fame and fortune. |
|
|
My
only dream � to serve my parents. |
|
|
Hope
to still be accepted by community when I get out. |
|
|
Hope springs
eternal. |
Wished
to go back to my life before prison. |
|
I
dream of going back to our place, be with my family. |
|
|
To
be able to go out, start a new life, new job, help family. |
|
|
Hope
that siblings, nephews/nieces will get to finish studies. |
|
|
Hope
to have a stable relationship and find happiness here. |
Education
is Undoubtedly Important
����������� One of the lessons the informants stated is
the importance of obedience to parents, especially in putting value to
education. The participants looked at education as a valid tool that one can
use to improve one�s life and that it has an equalizing effect to people living
in poverty (Relis, Agustin, & Mercines, 2016).
����������� The participants furthered that
deciding against studying was a major failure and that should they have been
educated, there would be a lot of opportunities for them; they added as well
that the lack of education led them to their present predicament. This being
said, education is indisputably vital.
Every
Action has a Corresponding Repercussion
����������� The incarcerated homosexual men were
cognizant that the engagements they had taken to assuage their poverty were not
right. Moreover, they also viewed their incarceration as the price they have to
pay for mistaken decisions they had made (Relis et al., 2016). This being said,
they advocated that before doing anything, one must think of the consequences
multiple times since everything that we do has a rebound effect.
There
is Something Positive in every Situation and Hope Springs Eternal
����������� Remarkably, the participants initially thought
their lives would be over once they became imprisoned. However, upon realizing
that it is not yet the end, they started believing that despite being
imprisoned, they must continue living their lives. Doing so gave them the hope
that better things would still happen to them.
Realizing that their
lives must go on despite their imprisonment is an important factor that
contributed to their optimism in life. It helped them set aside the
negativities and instead become more proactive in redeeming themselves. They
admit that their lives in prison are not easy but believing that this could
have a silver lining keeps them going and motivates them to regain their
direction in life (Relis et al., 2016).
Summary,
Implications, and Concluding Remarks
����������� This
phenomenological study has enlightened the researcher of the clear stories of
incarcerated homosexual men; their experiences, coping mechanisms and insights
are about life�s journey, all worthy to be emulated by those who are in the
same situation � homosexuals and heterosexuals alike.
����������� The
key informants of this research shared that their experiences were primarily
about involvement with prohibited drugs and drug-related activities and that
they have to pay the price for their former transgressions; they also had to
deal with sad and painful realities behind bars such as dealing with the
negative emotions associated with being diagnosed and living with HIV/AIDS, and
longing for family and connection with the outside world. However, not all
experiences by incarcerated homosexual men are negative; they have had some
sort of positive experiences such as finding a little niche under the sun as a
�woman� inside the jail and being able to relish special romantic relationships
behind bars.
����������� As
a way of coping, the participants shared that being actively involved and
occupied helped them deal with painful realities inside the jail as well as
entertaining themselves with jovial activities and tasks. Getting spiritual and
cultivating a relationship with the Divine and being positive and accepting
ushered the somewhat smooth living of the informants inside the jail; and there
is no better source of support than turning to family and friends as well as
getting a grip of oneself hence, the participants have done as such to lessen
the burden of their current reality.
����������� On
an end note, the informants have been very insightful with the things that had
happened with their lives. Such acumens include living clean, staying away from
alcohol and drugs and bad company. They have also paid great importance to
education; they have also realized that every action has a corresponding
repercussion. Identical to their experiences, not all of their insights have a
touch of being stygian. As a matter of fact, they have come to realize that
there is something positive in every situation and that hope springs
eternal.���������
Implication for Practice
����������� The
study conducted focused on homosexual men; their life experiences, coping
mechanisms and insight that may serve as an eye-opener for readers regarding
the former�s current situation. The results of this inquiry could not be
generalized to all people deprived of liberty. Hence, future researches may be
conducted focusing on other sexual minorities such as Lesbians, Bisexuals and
Transgenders.
Regardless of the way
that the informants trusted they had settled on some wrong choices throughout
everyday life, despite everything, they saw their battles as a wellspring of
exercises from which others, particularly the youth, can learn. Besides being a
type of recovery from their past, the participants see their lives as accounts
of learning for themselves as well as for the general masses. Their encounters
influenced them to acknowledge to do things "the correct way". In the
like manner, these are the lessons they need more youthful ages to gain from
them. They even underlined the significance of training, positive companion
impact and the part of diligent work to better one's life.
The current study
offers rich insights into the life stories of Filipino homosexual PDLs;
however, some admonitions should be noted. The study is culturally positioned,
given that the lived experiences presented are specific to the Filipino
homosexual men who are incarcerated in the Philippines. Since the prison where
the participants are held is run by a government agency, their lived
experiences may be different from those who are imprisoned in Western countries
where prisons are privatized. The purposive nature of the sample also limits
the generalizability of the study�s results. Given the variability of
environments that different prisons in the Philippines impose on inmates, the
experiences of the participants may not fully reflect the lives of Filipino gay
PDLs who are held in other prisons. Therefore, future studies can look at how
the prison environment and other demographic information (age, religious
affiliation, etc.) create unique experiences for Filipino gay PDLs.
Previous discussions
on LGBT PDLs seem to focus exclusively on their stories of struggle. This may
be one of the reasons why their experiences of discrimination and victimization
are better documented in the literature. However, examination of their stories
of hope, resilience, and positive experiences is virtually non-existent. The
view that LGBT prisoners are victims in the prison system is probably
perpetuated by this imbalanced presentation of their narratives. Since the
study specifically looked for these stories of Filipino gay prisoners, it is an
important consideration if we want to frame them as agents, and not merely
victims, in the prison context. It is interesting to look at the romantic
relationships that are established among Filipino gay PDLs in prison. Instead
of having a one-sided relationship, in which the openly gay prisoner gives more
support by serving his romantic partner, they mutually support each other in
various ways.
This is in contrast to
UNODC�s (2009) report that LGBT prisoners cannot gain support from their
inmates as they are potential abusers. In fact, a gay prisoner�s romantic
partner could also be his source, and recipient, of support in the prison.
Filipino gay prisoners� meaning-making also signifies that they can view their
lives in a more positive light. Vaughan and colleagues (2014) call this the
virtue of transcendence, which helps LGBT individuals create and provide
connections among their lived experiences. Because they are given opportunities
to help in some tasks like becoming prison community organizers, office workers
and other trustees, they feel that they are valued in prison. Moreover, they
also witnessed some of their co-inmates who were released from prison after
serving their sentence. They all look forward to that day and believe that it
will happen soon. These experiences help them form an optimistic point of view
of their lives. The lives of Filipino gay PDLs appear to be less miserable than
how it is documented in the literature. The traits they possess and the
relational opportunities for development they create are their sources of
positive outlook in life.
����������� In
addition, future inquiries may be conducted focusing on the back stories of
incarcerated LGBTQIA++ to better understand the dynamics of their motivation as
individuals. Taking in informants with different or varied offenses may add
novelty to the results of future academic inquiry concentrating on
incarceration as well since the participants of this investigation are
homogenized to incarcerated gay men who have violated Republic Act 9165
otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act of 2002.�������
����������� This study shows that despite the adversities
of life in prison, Filipino gay PDLs have the capacity for development of a
more positive outlook in life and self-efficacy, on their own or with the help
of others in the prison (i.e., romantic partners). This capacity can be
properly fostered if the prison as an institution will enable these PDLs.
Prisons as a rehabilitative institution must be able to help prisoners develop
a sense of responsibility and agency that will enable them once they are
reintegrated in the society. In fact, social institutions, like prisons, are
believed to have the potential to promote the development of positive traits
and positive subjective experiences, especially for LGBT people (Vaughan et.
al., 2014; Vaughan & Rodriguez, 2014).
����������� It would also be beneficial to the Filipino
gay PDLs if their stories of struggle and narratives of hope will be equally
present in the literature. In this way, researchers would be able to use a more
holistic perspective in understanding the lives of PDLs in general and Filipino gay PDLs, in particular.
This shift in perspective could catalyze change of attitudes towards them as
helpless and mere victims. This would be particularly useful in action research
that aims to identify and eventually implement LGBT-inclusive prison policies
that will allow Filipino gay PDLs to live a more meaningful life while in
prison.�����������
Concluding Remarks
����������� In
the opening vignette of this inquiry, the researcher indicated that this study
has a personal appeal to him especially that he identifies himself as a
homosexual man. On an honest note, one of the main reasons for the researcher
to undertake this study is because there is so much thrill in trying to
decipher the experiences, coping mechanisms and insights of incarcerated
homosexual men; just try to imagine doing an in-depth interview with people
deprived of liberty in a prison setting; for someone who is a neophyte in the
study of human behavior, the anticipation of doing as such brings so much
exhilaration; little did the researcher know that he is up for something
bigger, more relevant and an experience that would validate and refute some of
the information that he was able to read in literatures, hence ushering a
paradigm shift within him.
����������� During
the conduct of the in-depth interview, there were a lot of emotional states
that were happening internally with the researcher; there were anxiety, fear,
uncertainty and most of all, excitement. As the stories of the informants
unfolded throughout the conduct of the interview, the researcher was filled
with not just new insights but feelings of sympathy and empathy as well.
Sympathy because there is a sense of feeling for and compassion and at some
point, feeling bad because these participants are going through a tough time
and that the only thing that he can offer momentarily is his empathy � making
the informants sure that he somehow understands what they are experiencing.
In this inquiry, the
researcher was a bit (for a lack of a better term) surprised to see that the
life of the PDLs are far better than what he had anticipated � that prison life
is not as gory as what is readily available in most references; there are
stories of positivity, resilience, camaraderie, hopes, dreams and aspirations that
springs within the informants.
����������� Truly,
this experience was an eye opener: It provided the researcher with a lot of
insightful understandings that he can use in his pursuit of greater knowledge
in the field of psychology and behavioral sciences.
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