Exploring LGBT Spaces and Communities: Contrasting Identities, Belongings and Wellbeing

by Eleanor Formby

Overview

The phrase ‘LGBT community’ is often used by policy-makers, service providers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people themselves, but what does it mean? What understandings and experiences does that term suggest, and ignore? Based on a UK-wide study funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, this book explores these questions from the perspectives of over 600 research participants.

Examining ideas about community ‘ownership’; ‘difference’ and diversity; relational practices within and beyond physical spaces; imagined communities and belongings; the importance of ‘ritual’ spaces and symbols, and consequences for wellbeing, the book foregrounds the lived experience of LGBT people to offer a broad analysis of commonalities and divergences in relation to LGBT identities.

Drawing on an interdisciplinary perspective grounded in international social science research, the book will appeal to students and scholars with interests in sexual and/or gender identities in the fields of community studies, cultural studies, gender studies, geography, leisure studies, politics, psychology, sexuality studies, social policy, social work, socio-legal studies, and sociology. The book also offers implications for practice, suitable for policy-maker, practitioner, and activist audiences, as well as those with a more personal interest.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367348106
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/17/2019
Series:	Routledge Advances in Critical Diversities
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Eleanor Formby is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Education and Inclusion Research at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Spatial communities and ‘gay ghettos’

Cultural communities and practices

Imagined communities and the ‘gay imaginary’

Friendships and personal communities

Virtual communities and cyberian mailways

Community is here to stay?

The research

The book

References

2. ‘Owning’ and questioning LGBT communities

Introduction

The acronym that ‘lumps together’

‘Managing’ the acronym

Ambivalence

Commonality

Agency

Chapter summary

References

3. Diversity, inequality and prejudice amongst LGBT people

Introduction

Overview of existing literature

Diversity and inequality

Identity-based prejudice

Faith and religion

Parenting

(Non)conformity

Chapter summary

References

4. Lived experience and ‘doing’ community

Introduction

Overview of existing literature

Socialising, friendship and seeking intimacy

Friendship families

Safety in numbers

Accessing ‘safe’ spaces

Self-censorship

Activism

Lived experience across the life course

Chapter summary

References

5. Relationships to, within and beyond physical spaces

Introduction

Overview of existing literature

Physical space and geographical areas

Relocation

Rural living

Travel and tourism

Groups and services

Online spaces and virtual communities

Chapter summary

References

6. The pleasures and pains of scene spaces

Introduction

Overview of existing literature

The scene as ‘community’

Positive experiences

Scene exclusions

Invasion, choice and ownership

Chapter summary

References

7. Pride spaces, rituals and symbols

Introduction

Overview of existing literature

Creating communities?

Safety and freedom

Celebration

Protest

Partying with politics

Commercialism

Alcohol at Pride events

Exclusion

‘Excess’ and ‘extreme’ displays of pride

Chapter summary

References

8. Imagined communities and a sense of belonging

Introduction

Overview of existing literature

Belonging and connection

Commonalities, similarities, and mutual understanding

Differences and values

Shared experiences and the ‘bond’ of discrimination?

Chapter summary

References

9. Consequences for wellbeing

Introduction

Overview of existing literature

Impacts on physical and mental health

Seeking support

Friendships, confidence and self-esteem

Finding people ‘like me’

Alcohol, drugs and sex on the scene

Paradoxical spaces

Chapter summary

References

10. Conclusions and implications

References

Appendix: Research methods and participants

Research process and recruitment

Online survey

Interviews and group discussions

Participants

References

Editorial Reviews

This important work, critically approaches a vexed topic that of ‘community’ in an informed, innovative and rigorous way. Its cross disciplinary approach and clear writing style means that it will be of interest to all who are interested and work with not only lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities, but also those who are interested in social cohesion, identities, exclusions and marginalisations. This is also a must read for policy makers and the LGBT community and voluntary sector.

Katherine Browne, Professor Human Geography at University of Brighton, UK

Exploring LGBT Spaces and Communities interrogates the complexities that lurk behind the deceptively simple idea of "community." Page after page, Eleanor Formby shatters the stereotype of singularity and shows us the manifold experiences of communities—in the plural—for LGBT people. This book is sure to poke and provoke as it traverses tensions between sameness and difference, hostility from the outside and safe spaces within, forced labels that misalign with lived experiences, on-line and offline encounters, cynicism and celebration about membership, demanding conformity or celebrating individuality, and in broad strokes, whether sexuality is primary or peripheral in our lives.

Amin Ghaziani, University of British Columbia, Canada

This book will be a valuable addition to any undergraduate or postgraduate course of study that includes issues of sexuality, identity, community, (mental) health and wellbeing. It makes no apology about the complexities that the data unfolds and provides meticulous attention to the detail of people’s experiences and intersectional identities. Overall, the book explores the many ways in which ‘LGBT community’ – awkward, inadequate, limited, sometimes oppressive, discriminatory, hostile and exclusive – is aspired to (and is often a [temporary] reality).

Catherine Donovan, University of Sunderland, UK

The take-away message of this book is that although we may talk about ‘the LGBT community’ it may make more sense to talk about a plurality of LGBT communities, as the mainstream ‘LGBT community’ may be unhomely, unwelcoming and discriminatory to some LGBT people.

Diane Richardson, Sage

From the Publisher