Looking for Gay men working in the hospitality industry for research project 

Research on Gay men, identity management and the hospitality industry as a ‘gay friendly’ space. Research by Dr Simon Roberts Bournemouth University Please contact Simon either by phone 07813880272 or by email sroberts@bournemouth.ac.uk

Information for participants

I would like to invite you to participate in a research project on the experiences of gay men within the hospitality industry. The aim of the study is to explore how ‘gay friendly’ the hospitality industry is and how gay men manage their gay identity in the workplace. The intention is that the findings of the study will be published in academic journals in tourism and hospitality to shed light on an area that has had scant research up to now. Please read the following information carefully before you decide to take part; this tells you why the research is being done and what participation involves. Please ask if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. You should only agree to take part if you want to, and if you choose not to take part there will be no disadvantage for you and you will hear no more about it. If you decide to take part you will be asked to sign a form to say that you agree, you are still free to withdraw at any time, without giving reason.

The research

The aims of the research are to explore:

• Gay men’s understanding of the term ‘gay friendly’ organisations within the hospitality industry.
• How gay men negotiate their social identities in the workplace; the way in which they resist and challenge the identities, labels and stereotypes ascribed by others.
• How others such as work colleagues react and respond to gay men in the workplace.
• The ways in which gay men modify or conform in their self-presentation as part of the management of their social identities

     Taking part

The interview will be in person and take about one hour. This will take place over  the next few months, at a location and time convenient to participants.

The researcher and contact details

The researcher, Dr Simon Roberts, is a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University in the Faculty of Management. Please contact Simon either by phone 07813880272 or by email sroberts@bournemouth.ac.uk

Confidentiality and anonymity

All data collected for this project will be anonymised. Reports and publications that emanate from this study will be presented in a way which ensures that no comments can be linked back to an individual and all personal information is concealed. If you choose to withdraw from the study, any information already obtained will not be used. This research is complying with the ethical review procedures of Bournemouth University.