Manifestations of an individual's interpersonal skills include feeling comfortable among co-workers, exchanging friendly conversation and sharing common experiences. Similarly, teams may work best together when they have something in common and individuals feel part of the group. I will also investigate the social impact of passing and the extent to which passing reinforces gender oppression. At this point I have begun, on a small scale, the investigation of aspects of these issuess in Cleveland. In my working definition of community I include structural, ideological and cultural elements.
Structural elements can be organizations, commercial establishments and services for members.
Specific community organizations are important, as are shared values and issues, and ways of being and living. Cleveland is quite diverse with significant numbers and organizations of African American, Lesbian, and religious LGBTs. My preliminary research indicates that a significant amount of community building has gone on in the African American, Lesbian and religious groups, as well as in a number of organizations, where representation from many groups appears to have been attained. At the same time significant problems of visibility remain, undermining the ability to lobby and otherwise act publicly. A study of the sexually marginal, liminal, normative, obligatory in Shakespeare's England.