Navigating Life Through the Eyes of Black Gay Fathers

Abstract

According to the 2012-2017 U.S. Gallup Poll, 300 men self-identified as Black gay fathers. Extant literature over the past 30 years (1995-2025) has begun addressing ways Black gay fathers intersect and interlock their racial, sexuality, and parenting identities. But full credence has not been given to how intersection and interlocking occur in all areas of social life. Anecdotes abound, yet only a few know or experience the realities of fathering while Black and gay. This dissertation’s design was guided by the question: How has your experience as a Black gay father influenced how you navigate the world? Rooted in a Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology, 21 Black gay fathers were interviewed in a semi-structured format from October through December 2024. The study had two goals: first, to center the needs, strengths, lived experiences, and realities of Black gay fathers and fathering, and second, to help social workers learn how to provide culturally tailored recommendations to Black gay fathers during service provision. The findings are presented in three manuscripts. The first manuscript argued for a new genesis of centering Black gay fathers in research by using relevant theories to contextualize and address gaps in research literature. The second manuscript taught social work practitioners how to engage Black gay fathers, using person-centered and strength-based interviewing techniques, along with a 10-question interviewing guide created for Black gay fathers, by Black gay fathers. The third manuscript presented the interviews’ findings through four major themes: Recognition of Identity Salience, Community Embeddedness, Negotiation of Hypervisibility/Invisibility, and the Development of Indefatigable Resilience. These themes conveyed how Black gay fathers use embodiment to navigate the world. This dissertation prompts social work practitioners to support Black gay fathers’ embodiment by practicing in ways that are mindful of the realities of fathering while Black and gay.