Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Sociology
Date of Award
5-2013
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Martha Copp
Committee Members
Stefano Longo, Joseph O. Baker
Abstract
This study examined patterns of framing in newspaper articles that mention gay teen suicide, gay bullying, and the "It Gets Better" campaign. A content analysis of randomly selected newspaper articles from 2009-2011 was performed. After presenting the frequency of content themes, emergent patterns are discussed. The most consistent theme--an evasive frame-- occurred with regard to homophobia, heterosexism, and meaningful solutions to anti-gay bullying. The day-to-day discrimination that LGBTQ people face was rarely addressed; instead, hot-button political topics such as same-sex marriage and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" were presented as signs of social progress. This research shows the importance of media framing, particularly the news media, in stories that report on gay bullying, suicide, and homophobia.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Greene, Averie Alese, "News Media Framing of Gay Teen Suicide and Bullying" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1514. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1514
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.