Embracing the Rainbow: LGBTQ Youth Navigating “Safe” Spaces and Belonging in North America

Wolowic, Jennifer; Heston, Laura; Saewyc, Elizabeth; Porta, Carolyn M.; Eisenberg, Marla E.

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.10.018

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…Promising social interventions have been launched, with many focusing on making visible lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) athletes by invoking the rainbow pride symbol (e.g., www.pridetape.com , rainbow laces) or gathering powerful allies in professional sports (e.g., www.youcanplayproject.org ). Research has demonstrated the importance of the rainbow pride symbol as an indicator of a safe space for LGBTQ youth, 36 but a comprehensive evaluation of interventions designed to address homophobia in sports is needed to determine its impact, particularly on young amateur athletes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are we leveling the playing field? Trends and disparities in sports participation among sexual minority youth in Canada

Doull

Watson

Smith

et al. 2018

Journal of Sport and Health Science

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PurposeSports participation and physical fitness are widely beneficial for young people, yet activity levels among young people are declining. Despite growing popular media attention on the participation of sexual minority (e.g., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) youth in sports and various campaigns to improve the often homophobic climate of sports, there is limited evidence that sexual minority youth participate in sports. Our aim was to provide a current portrait of sports participation among 3 groups of sexual minority youth (e.g., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) in British Columbia, Canada, as well as to document population trends.MethodsPooled population-level data from British Columbia, Canada (n = 99,373) were used to examine trends and disparities in sports participation among sexual minority and heterosexual youth. Age-adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine changes in participation over time and disparities in participation over time (1998–2013).ResultsWe found an overall decline in sports participation and physical activity (PA) for all youth. Sexual minority students were less likely to participate in formal sports (with a coach) and informal sports (without a coach) compared with their heterosexual peers. The disparity in participating in informal sports between heterosexual and sexual minority youth has narrowed over time for some sexual orientation groups, whereas the disparity in participating in formal sports has widened over time in some cases.ConclusionThis study provides a comprehensive examination of sports participation among sexual minority youth over the past 15 years. Despite changing societal attitudes and laudable efforts to reduce homophobia in sports, results suggest that there are continued barriers to participation for sexual minority youth. Further research is needed to understand the factors that limit sports participation for these youth and to inform program development. PA is critical to lifelong health and well-being, and thus continued efforts are needed to increase the sports participation of sexual minority youth in particular.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are we leveling the playing field? Trends and disparities in sports participation among sexual minority youth in Canada

Doull

Watson

Smith

et al. 2018

Journal of Sport and Health Science

Self Cite

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“…This suggests that almost any type of space or organization has the potential to provide support for LGBTQ youth. Using visual cues such as rainbow flags or stickers can outwardly indicate a supportive environment, which must then be backed by genuine respect for, sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of LGBTQ populations (Wolowic, Heston, Saewyc, Porta, & Eisenberg, 2016). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Helping Young People Stay Afloat: A Qualitative Study of Community Resources and Supports for LGBTQ Adolescents in the United States and Canada

Eisenberg

Mehus

Saewyc

et al. 2017

Journal of Homosexuality

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LGBTQ youth are at increased risk of poor health outcomes. This qualitative study gathered data from LGBTQ adolescents regarding their communities and describes the resources they draw upon for support. We conducted 66 go-along interviews with diverse LGBTQ adolescents (mean age=16.6) in Minnesota, Massachusetts and British Columbia in 2014-2015, in which interviewers accompanied participants in their communities to better understand those contexts. Their responses were systematically organized and coded for common themes, reflecting levels of the social ecological model. Participants described resources at each level, emphasizing organizational, community and social factors such as LGBTQ youth organizations and events, media presence and visibility of LGBTQ adults. Numerous resources were identified, yet representative themes were highly consistent across locations, genders, orientations, racial/ethnic groups and city size. Findings suggest new avenues for research with LGBTQ youth and many opportunities for communities to create and expand resources and supports for this population.

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“…Some schools attempt to establish safe spaces or identity LGBTQ-friendly staff by displaying rainbow and safe space stickers. Transgender students report that these visual cues are helpful in identifying safe spaces and solidarity, but they are not as inclusive or enough for transgender identities (Wolowic, Heston, Saewyc, Porta, & Eisenberg, 2016). Transgender students experienced staff members knowledgeable about gay and lesbian identities, but they were lacking knowledge on transgender identities and nonconforming gender presentations (Wolowic et al, 2016).…”

Section: Implications For School Nursesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Transgender students report that these visual cues are helpful in identifying safe spaces and solidarity, but they are not as inclusive or enough for transgender identities (Wolowic, Heston, Saewyc, Porta, & Eisenberg, 2016). Transgender students experienced staff members knowledgeable about gay and lesbian identities, but they were lacking knowledge on transgender identities and nonconforming gender presentations (Wolowic et al, 2016). Staff displaying rainbow and safe space stickers would benefit from training programs that include content on gender identities and gender presentations as well as sexual orientations.…”

Section: Implications For School Nursesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supporting the Health and Well-Being of Transgender Students

Cicero

Wesp

2017

The Journal of School Nursing

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Throughout the United States, there has been a rise in public discourse about transgender people and transgender issues. Much of this attention stems from passed and proposed anti-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) legislation, including "bathroom bills" that would require transgender people to use public facilities corresponding with the sex designated on their birth certificates. With the recent discussion and legislation impacting school-aged children and adolescents, what does this mean for school nurses and how can they care and advocate for their transgender students? In this article, we aim to empower school nurses to join the discussion, advocate for inclusive and equitable school policies, and deliver gender-affirming care to transgender students. We will explain transgender identities; transgender-related stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and health concerns; gender-affirming approaches in caring for transgender youth; and implications for school nurses. School nurses play a key role in creating a space that is welcoming and affirming where transgender students can thrive.

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Embracing the Rainbow: LGBTQ Youth Navigating “Safe” Spaces and Belonging in North America

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Are we leveling the playing field? Trends and disparities in sports participation among sexual minority youth in Canada

Are we leveling the playing field? Trends and disparities in sports participation among sexual minority youth in Canada

Helping Young People Stay Afloat: A Qualitative Study of Community Resources and Supports for LGBTQ Adolescents in the United States and Canada

Supporting the Health and Well-Being of Transgender Students

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