Date of Conferral

5-15-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Megan Corley

Abstract

Feminine-centric, heteronormative psychological restoration interventions on gay minority men exposed to trauma and human trafficking are poorly understood. This study includes an analysis of forensics and psychological causal factors retrieved from 6 semi structured interviews with gay minority male psychological services providers. The corroboration of the clinical opinions of the participants and the enrichment of data using database reviews reflected poor treatment outcomes for the gay, minority-men population. The qualitative methodology and thematic analysis framework highlighted oppressive factors of structural intersectionality. This results in heteronormativity gender binaries that misalign with self-identified gender perceptions of gay-minority men exposed to trafficking and trauma experiences. This has led to service fragmentation, stemming from inequalities not only in psychological service access but also in the justice system, primarily impacting non-minority men due to its binary perspective. Both systemic disparities are attributable to disproportionate socioeconomic access to efficacious psychological restoration services for the gay trafficked and traumatized minority-men population, a vulnerability factor for further exploitation. Current trends of treatment poorly implement gender-affirming, culturally sensitive interventions for gay minority male survivors, which is currently a knowledge gap in the field of forensics and psychology. The implications of positive social change reflected in this study include upholding humanity's rights by implementing innovative approaches and recognizing gay male minorities as protected categories, warranting priority status when accessing psychological restoration needs.

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