Supplemental Materials
Heterosexual Chinese Americans’ Experiences of Their Lesbian and Gay Sibling’s Coming Out
by J. Huang et al., 2016, Asian American Journal of Psychology
Interview Protocol
Heterosexual Chinese Americans’ Experiences of their Lesbian and Gay
Sibling’s Coming Out
- Sibling Relationship
For the first set of questions, I will be asking about your relationship with [sibling pseudonym] at various points in time.
1.In general, what has your relationship been like with [sibling pseudonym]?
2.How has your relationship changed, if at all, as a result of learning that [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay]?
- Reaction to your Sibling’s Lesbian or Gay Sexual Orientation
This next set of questions will focus on your reaction to finding out that [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay]. To begin, some people question their sibling’s sexual orientation before it is confirmed.Did you ever wonder about your sibling’s sexual orientation before you found out that [she or he] was [lesbian/gay]?
3.How did you find out [sibling pseudonym] was [lesbian or gay]?
4.What was your initial reaction (thoughts and feelings) to finding out?
5.Since finding out, how has your reaction (thoughts and feelings) changed over time, if at all? [Follow up: What are your thoughts and feelings about it now?]
- Family Relationships
For the next set of questions, I will be asking about your family relationships at various points in time. First, tell me who in your family knows about that [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay]? [Follow up: To the best of your knowledge, what was their reaction to finding out?]
If no one else knows:
6a. What has it been like for you to know that [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay] while no one else in your family knows?
If some family members know:
6b.What has it been like for you to know not everybody in your family knows that [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay]?
If all family members know:
6c.What has it been like for you to know that everybody in your family knows [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay]?
7. How do you feel your relationship with each family member has changed, if at all, as a result of finding out about [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay]? [Follow up: parent relationships]
- Ethnicity
The next set of questions, we are briefly going to step away from your experiences being a heterosexual sibling. We will now focus on the role of your ethnic background has played a role in your reaction to finding out that [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay] over time. First, I would like for you to describe what being [Chinese American or Taiwanese American] means to you.
8. How, if at all, do you think your ethnic background as a [Chinese American or Taiwanese American] has influenced your reaction (internal or external) to finding out that [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay]?
V. Traditional Asian Values
The next set of questions will focus on the extent your sharing of common Asian values has played a role in your relationships with your family members. To begin, identify some traditional Asian values that you have heard about or experienced yourself?
9. In what ways do you endorse or abide by traditional Asian values and in what ways do you not?
10. To what extent does your abiding by traditional Asian values influenced your reaction (internal or external) to knowing that [sibling pseudonym] is [lesbian/gay]?
11.To what extent does your abiding by traditional Asian values play a role in your family relationships over time?
VI. Reflection and Conclusion
12.Howhas having a [lesbian/gay sister/brother] changed your perspective on homosexuality, if at all?
13. Howhas having a [lesbian/gay sister/brother] changed your perspective on family, if at all?
14. Reflecting upon everything that you have shared with me today, what are some thoughts and feelings that may have emerged for you during our conversation?
15. To recap, today’s conversation was about your experience as a [Chinese/Taiwanese American] with a [lesbian sister or gay brother]. Is there anything else you would like to share with me or that you would like others to know about your experience?