The original intent of this update was to create an interview instrument to examine the reasons people frequent such events as FSU Pride’s Speak Out, in which individuals are invited to share their coming out stories. However, in the process of attempting to write the instrument, I realized that in order to properly structure such interview questions, I would first need preliminary data. As such, what is below is a draft of a survey with two qualitative questions which are intended to provide me with starting points for constructing interview questions. The other data gathered will be used to provide a rough sketch of the audience/participants at the event.
Survey
Welcome! The following is a brief survey about the recent Speak Out event sponsored by FSU’s Pride Student Union for use in doctoral research about the coming out narrative. Your participation in this survey is entirely voluntary, and you are welcome to leave the survey at any point should you feel uncomfortable in any way. There is no penalty for not completing the survey. The survey is also entirely anonymous. At no point are you required to provide any personally identifying information unless you should choose to volunteer for follow-up interviews. The survey should take approximately ten minutes to complete.
Your participation is appreciated.
Question 1: Age ________
Question 2: What is your current year in school?
__Freshman __Sophomore __Junior __Senior
__Graduate Student __Not currently attending
Question 3: What is your current gender identity?
__ Female __Transgender (Female to Male) __Genderqueer
__Male __Transgender (Male to Female) __Agender
__Bigender __Third Gender __Genderfluid __Transwoman
__Transman __Two-spirit __Other: ______________________
__Prefer not to answer
Question 4: What is the current sexual orientation with which you identify?
__lesbian __gay __bisexual __asexual __pansexual
__heterosexual __queer __same gender loving __Prefer not to say
__Other: ______________________
Question 5: How out are you currently?
__completely out __out only to some friends __out to all friends
__out only to some family __out to all family __out only to self
__still questioning
Question 6: Have you attended the Speak Out event in previous years?
Question 7: Have you attended other similar events, either in Tallahassee or elsewhere?
Question 8: Can you briefly explain in the space provided the primary reason you attended the Speak Out event?
Question 9: Can you briefly explain in the space provided any other reasons you attended the Speak Out event?
If you wish to remain anonymous, your participation is complete. If, however, you are willing to participate in follow up interviews on this topic, please enter your email in the space provided below. Interviews can be performed through email, phone, or in person, according to your preference. Thank you for your participation.
This survey was approved by the Institutional review Board at FSU. Any questions you may have can be addressed to Dawn Betts-Green in the School of Information (cdb07f@my.fsu.edu) or her major professor Dr. Don Latham (dlatham@fsu.edu).