Mid Sweden University

miun.sePublications
Change search
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
A conditional embrace—Swedish LGBTQ+ spaces through the eyes of ethnic minority non-heterosexual individuals
Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology and Social Work.
2022 (English)In: Frontiers in Psychology, E-ISSN 1664-1078, Vol. 13, article id 1009192Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Introduction: In research on sexuality, marginalized sub-groups within sexual minorities have often been overlooked. From the vantage point of Sweden, internationally ranked as an exemplary progressive nation in equality issues and LGBTQ+ rights, and with an increasingly diversified population, the lived experiences of ethnic minority non-heterosexual people are still very much lacking in voice and visibility. The present study aimed to examine experiences within Swedish non-heterosexual spaces, held by ethnic minority non-heterosexual individuals.

Method: A thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 22 Swedish non-heterosexual individuals, 13 cis-men and nine cis-women, with diverse first- and second-generation immigration backgrounds, was conducted.

Results: Two main themes were identified. The first theme, “Constantly contested identities,” is composed of the sub-themes “Ingrained, intersecting ideals” and “Prejudiced spaces,” and the second theme, “Effects and counteractions,” of the sub-themes “Never fully human” and “Representation and separatism.” The results, presented starting from a more theoretical level, moving to situated knowledge, and finally to psychological and practical implications, demonstrate that ethnic minority non-heterosexual people experience problematic and intersecting ideals, with related discrimination, in various Swedish non-heterosexual settings. Experiences of alienation, exotification, and tokenism were common among the participants and had negative psychological effects, including multiple-minority stress and a constant outsider feeling. Representation and participation in separatist forums were utilized as primary strategies to counteract the negative effects.

Discussion: The findings shed light on previously under-researched ideals and actions within Swedish LGBTQ+ spaces, and raises questions about how positive belonging can be achieved for multiple-minorities. Further research and continued critical discussions about ethnic minority non-heterosexual people's plight within non-heterosexual settings in Sweden, and beyond, is advocated.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2022. Vol. 13, article id 1009192
National Category
Psychology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-46683DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1009192ISI: 000905202700001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85145463477OAI: oai:DiVA.org:miun-46683DiVA, id: diva2:1720782
Funder
Mid Sweden UniversityAvailable from: 2022-12-20 Created: 2022-12-20 Last updated: 2023-11-14Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Life in a twilight landscape: Exploring the intersection of ethnic and sexual minority identities in sweden
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Life in a twilight landscape: Exploring the intersection of ethnic and sexual minority identities in sweden
2023 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Historically speaking, sexual and ethnic minorities have been dreadfully treated by society at large, the legal system and the scientific world. Even today, homosexuality is associated with life-threatening risks in many countries, which is one migration motivator for sexual minorities. From a Swedish perspective, this dissertation explores what it’s like to be homosexual or bisexual and have an immigrant background; what lived experiences these individuals have and how these experiences affect self-identity and well-being. When I began my project, there existed quite a lot of research on immigrants, and on sexual minorities, but the Swedes who belong to both of these groups had been severely overlooked. From the international literature, it was clear that it was socially difficult to be neither heterosexual nor white. My overall aim with this dissertation was simply to try to bring some clarity in what the situation for this population looked like in Sweden. To achieve this, I conducted one or more interviews with 22 individuals, with first-generation immigrant background (N=11) or second-generation immigrant background (N=11). These in-depth interviews formed the basis for three separate studies. In addition, I conducted a study where I coded and analyzed roughly 700 profiles on a dating site for sexual minorities. The analytic methods I used were: phenomenological interpretive analysis (where the individual's lived experience and meaning-making is in focus), thematic analysis (where patterns in stories at a group-level are analyzed) and statistical methods (where possible differences between groups are clearly evident). Overall, the results demonstrated that homosexual and bisexual people with immigrant backgrounds in Sweden experience an in-betweenness, a sort of social twilight. The participants often experienced a sense of dis-belonging and felt that they were not seen as fully human in any group. The participants had been exposed to other people's prejudices, biased assumptions, bullying, racism, homophobia and misogyny. They had, as did the member profiles on the dating site, also wrestle with unattainable ideals within the LGBTQ world. At the same time, the results demonstrated people's impressive resilience, strength and ability to create new group affiliations and positive changes for both themselves and others. To better understand the results, I used critical and social psychological theories about, among other things, identity development, self-presentation, stress, mental health, separatism and belonging. In the discussion, I scrutinize my own work as well as the contemporary perspectives and terminologies used in subject-related research fields. Lastly, I propose some ways to create changes that could improve people's lives and lessen injustices.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University, 2023. p. 130
Series
Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, ISSN 1652-893X ; 399
National Category
Psychology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-49837 (URN)978-91-89786-38-7 (ISBN)
Public defence
2023-12-08, F234, Kunskapens väg 8, Östersund, 10:00 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Note

Vid tidpunkten för disputationen var följande delarbeten opublicerade: delarbete 1 och 2 under granskning.

At the time of the doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished: paper 1 and 2 in review.

Available from: 2023-11-14 Created: 2023-11-14 Last updated: 2023-11-14Bibliographically approved

Open Access in DiVA

No full text in DiVA

Other links

Publisher's full textScopus

Authority records

Miller, Emelie Louise

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Miller, Emelie Louise
By organisation
Department of Psychology and Social Work
In the same journal
Frontiers in Psychology
Psychology

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar

doi
urn-nbn

Altmetric score

doi
urn-nbn
Total: 97 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf