Exploring experiences of safety with LGBTQ+ newcomers in Calgary, Alberta
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and gender and sexual diverse (LGBTQ+) newcomers arrive in Canada, a country renowned as a “safe haven” for those escaping anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Despite Canada’s reputation, notions of safety are not guaranteed as LGBTQ+ newcomers continue to face systems of oppression as they navigate their new country of residence. Drawing from the feminist affect literature, this study sought to understand how LGBTQ+ newcomers navigate and perceive safety. This study employed an arts-based method called participatory community mapping as well as semistructured interviews to explore six participants’ experiences in Calgary, Canada. The findings of this study suggest the complex and vast experiences of LGBTQ+ newcomers upon settlement. Feeling safe is not static and inherent in various spaces, but rather, requires complex negotiations with other people and considerations for one’s LGBTQ+ identity.
Notes
Future research / gaps identified:
1) Examine specific demographic details such as length of arrival, migrant status, and level of education within larger sample sizes.
2) Conduct a similar study in rural or small urban areas to analyze different experiences compared to the urban-metropolitan city used in this study
Integration timeline: 3 – 36 months in Calgary
Key populations: LGBTQ+ newcomers now living in Calgary, AB
Key recommendations:
1) Create a welcoming environment in newcomer serving organizations by having diverse staff and affirming signage
2) Mandate anti-racist and anti-homophobia training in newcomer serving organizations
3) Develop programs and interventions that allow LGBTQ+ newcomers to meet one another, such as through group-based interventions or relational approaches to minimize loneliness and isolation
4) Center the experiences and voices of LGBTQ+ newcomers in service delivery, such as through participatory means, having a task force, or conducting community consultations.
5) Engage in community-building efforts and policy advocacy through education campaigns, community organizing, or coalition-building to address the experiences of exclusion that LGBTQ+ newcomers feel within diasporic or mainstream LGBTQ+ communities
Location: Calgary, AB
Community organizations: n/a
Key findings:
1) LGBTQ+ newcomers face various challenges, such as discrimination, and navigating cultural differences alongside new systems.
2) While adverse experiences were identified, participants also described spaces that elicit a sense of safety. Entering spaces free of judgment, where one can feel authentic to oneself, and fostering community and a sense of belonging, are critical facets of experiencing safety.
3) Several mechanisms were employed to navigate safety, including concealing one’s identity, avoiding diasporic communities, or trusting one’s instinct.
Open access: Yes