Date of Award

1-1-2011

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Organizational Unit

College of Natual Science and Mathematics

First Advisor

Eric Boschmann, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Rebecca Powell

Third Advisor

Geoffrey Bateman

Keywords

LGBT, Community, Public space, Qualitative geographic information system

Abstract

Public space researchers have created a body of literature describing how women feel in and access public spaces and have briefly explored men and race in public space, but have not explored other identities adequately including sexuality. Geographical queer theory provides a foundation for public space research, but literature is limited to the creation of and contest over space. The goal of this research is to explore LGBT feelings in public spaces in St. Louis, MO. There are three components including a survey, interviews, and hand mapping of emotional associations within the city. Overall, feelings in public space were found to be dependent on an individual's life experiences but several other important themes emerged, such as LGBT spaces as comfortable; the city, parks and familiar spaces as safe; bars as important spaces; behavior modification in unsafe situations; the importance of alcohol to safety; "hick" areas as dangerous; race as a separating factor; and upscale areas as uncomfortable. This research informs public space and queer theory literatures, while also developing hand mapping techniques.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Emily L. Sanschagrin

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Format

application/pdf

Language

en

File Size

128 p.

Discipline

Geography

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