LGBTQ Women, Appearance Negotiations, and Workplace Dress Codes

Bibliographic Data

ID3656178
AuthorsKelly L Reddy-Best (0000-0002-2813-0988, Iowa State University, corresponding author)
Year2018
Volume65
Issue5
Pages615-639
Publication date2018-04-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2017.1328225
PMID28537790
OpenAlexW2620501313
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited26

The purpose of this study was to explore LGBTQ women's experiences with unwritten or formal dress codes at work. I asked: What are LGBTQ women's experiences in the workplace with appearance management, and what are LGBTQ women's experiences navigating the written and unwritten dress codes in the workplace? To answer the research question, interviews were conducted with 24 self-identifying LGBTQ women. Six key themes emerged from the data. Themes included (1) expressed sexual identity in appearance, (2) unwritten dress codes in work environments did not always allow for expression of sexual identity in appearance, (3) motivations for pressure or desire to conceal expression of sexual identity in appearance at work, (4) negotiations of revealing or concealing sexual identity in appearance in the workplace impacted levels of comfort and confidence, (5) verbal and nonverbal negative experiences related to appearance at work, and (6) received compliments about appearance at work

Aesthetics · Art · Expression (computer science · Human sexuality · Identity (music · Identity negotiation · Negotiation · Sexual identity · Sociology · Crafts, Textile, and Design · Fashion and Cultural Textiles · Gender Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology · Tattoo and Body Piercing Complications

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