Gay Men Living in a Rural Environment

SUMMARY A qualitative research methodology with heuristic features was employed as a process of self-immersion, self-search, and reflection into the researcher's experiences as a gay man living in Wyoming. This was followed by in-depth, conversational interviews with eight additional gay men living in Wyoming. Focus was placed on the “here and now.” The descriptions and examples provide a rich composite image of day-to-day experiences, while reflecting an outlook on life shaped by being raised, and living in, a rural environment. These gay men talk about being happy living in Wyoming even as they describe an environment which reflects the epitome of the “don't ask, don't tell” mentality. They discuss constantly being on guard, being a good neighbor and worker, and pushing the envelope. They talk about being close to family, interacting with a small core group of friends, and the informal, hard to find, gay community.