lgbt thesis

AvaKinder

Howdy:)

I started this thread in the hopes to get some ideas/discussion going around the idea of LGBT research in Ireland. I'm currently doing Oscail's BA in humanities and I'll be doing a psychology thesis next year and a sociology thesis the following year and I'd like at least one of them to be LGBT themed.

I guess what I'm looking for is to find out what type of research people would be interested in seeing, or being involved in, as well as what people who've already done research in the area might deem achievable at an undergrad level. Obviously I have more than a year (two in the case of sociology) to actually pick an idea but I'd like to do something that will be useful beyond just capping my degree.

I've toyed with the idea of doing research into lesbian and bisexual women experience/attitudes towards safe sex, all LGBT peoples attitudes towards marriage, or the experience that more marginalised sections of the community have of discrimination within the community (ie transphobia from LGB people, or ostracism of bi people).

So what type of research would you like to see done?

ps. I got mod approval to start the thread as I know it might be seen as more of an education type thread:)

rainbow kirby

A few ideas:
- Access to healthcare for the trans community
- Experiences of older LGBT people / dealing with the needs of older LGBT people (heard a talk vaguely related to this at Lesbian Lives this year)
- Dual diagnosis (mental health issues/addiction) within the LGBT community
- What are the attitudes of younger (under 25) gay/bi men towards HIV and other STDs?

AvaKinder

Although I'd absolutely love to do some trans related research afaik I will have to have at least 100 respondents for any research I do so it might be alot harder for me to build I successful research project around it but it's definitely something I'd like to do research in at postgrad level.

But the others are definitely doable and things I'd be interested in.

Thanks for the ideas.

Annasopra

- something about the scene - is it too exclusionary and cliqueish and consumer oriented
- Disability and LGBT - (see NDA report - I'll find link later)
- LBT Womens sexual health
- Poverty and social exclusion amongst LGBT community (see glen/nexus research)
- has work of BelongTo etc changed young peoples experiences over time?

gmale

12 years on from Matthew Sheppard, how has the world changed?

Are young men and women still fearful of coming out and if so, why? Are the reasons why people are afraid to come out today different from 12 or 20 years ago?

I am a guy in a full time committed relationship, now with child, with two girls. So if I can be of any use to you in your research topic do let me know.

As for ideas, I have few I am afraid. However the main issue that comes up when talking about attitudes and rights in the LGBT community these days seem to inevitably focus on the topic of children. This, more than any other issue, appears to be the modern focus when conversations about gay marriage, rights, morality and so on come up.

The prevailing attitude is that a mother-father dynamic is the “ideal” for a child, but I have seen one debater on here point out that the “ideal” for a child is security, education, love and nurturing and that attaining that ideal successfully is independent of the parents attempting to provide it… and it can be attained just as successfully by a single parent, gay parents, or people like myself in a “truple” rather than a “couple”.

So… I leave that out there as a bit of a tangent in the hopes that maybe you see the potential for some research in this realm. It certainly is something that if established, would attack one of the prevailing attitudes that appears to be both wrong and a thorn in the side of those fighting for gay rights.

Quatro24

I also agree with TaxAHcruel.

I think when I came out as being bisexual the first worry my family had was that if I ended up with another female (which I have) that I could not have the family I always wanted.

There are definitely some strong controversial attitudes and opinions on this subject and would give you great scope to research large quantities of people in various situations and from various backgrounds.

As you will have to interview a lot of professionals and people with a significant standing in the community as well as your quantitative research then it is understandable that you will want easy enough access to your target groups but I do think this would be a great topic to cover.

It is something that in my opinion needs further research which therefore may lead to broadening the opinions of people who look on with judgment.

Eebs

AvaKinder wrote: »

Although I'd absolutely love to do some trans related research afaik I will have to have at least 100 respondents for any research I do so it might be alot harder for me to build I successful research project around it but it's definitely something I'd like to do research in at postgrad level.

But the others are definitely doable and things I'd be interested in.

Thanks for the ideas.

Not trying to hijack your thread but this is such a serious problem for research in trans stuff.

Studies find there isn't enough research - not enough willing participants to do the study. It's cyclical.

Not to mention once the study comes out that does say there needs to be vast improvements in the quality of care / human rights etc. for trans people then nothing gets done.

But studies like these are vital in order to try government bodies.

Basically, it's crap that not too many people research this and then it's crap that the ones that do face a lot of difficulties due to the (understandable) invisibility of the trans people.

AvaKinder

Alot of the things people have mentioned are things that would really interest me. I guess long term, I'd love to be doing postgrad and postdoc research in all these areas.

With regard to doing research on family I think this is something that people with funding and alot more brains and experience than me are contributing to at the moment. I know there isn't much Irish focused research but hopefully that will change.

With relation to doing trans research, for me it's an area I'd love to work in as I fully believe that trans people deserve a whole host of civil rights that they currently don't have. I guess there's the fear that as an outsider, not only would it be very hard to find people willing to participate in research, I'd be afraid that people might see me as 'suspect'. I have very little experience with the trans community in real life and because of that I worry that I'd end up causing distress or offence rather than helping by trying to engage with people and do research in the area.

I would love to see research done on LBT womens sexual health, and on bi exclusion and I think that's what I might eventually end up doing for at least one of my thesis'.

Eebs

AvaKinder wrote: »

I have very little experience with the trans community in real life and because of that I worry that I'd end up causing distress or offence rather than helping by trying to engage with people and do research in the area.

People probably will find you suspect at first. In fact, I know a few allys who have more than done their part and are still regarded as suspect. It's part and parcel of having the privelage of being cis.

Ultimately though if you're not going to interact with one group of scoiety because you're scared than thats almost as bad as causing offence. Go, do some gogling of 'trans 101' and 'how to be a tran ally' and then leap in. Ultimately all trans people want is a bit of respect for who they are (all of who they are, not just their gender).

And you seem very negative about your abilities. Look, I've done a lot of projects in my time, granted few of them are social sciences but all I've ever heard from teachers and students alike is that the subject will matter very little if you're a good researcher.

Pick a topic, any topic that interests you and go where the research takes you. Work hard, think creatively and logically and you'll be fine. And give yourself some slack.

deirdre_dub

AvaKinder wrote: »

I have very little experience with the trans community in real life and because of that I worry that I'd end up causing distress or offence rather than helping by trying to engage with people and do research in the area.

This whole "trans people are super-sensitive about their identities" thing is kinda bugging me! It's gotten to the stage where I'm nearly apologising to my colleagues when they get my name wrong! They are more sensitive about it than I am! OK - that might change as I settle more into my new identity, but I strongly suspect my colleagues will be well used to my new identity before then. Good grief - yes, my name is Deirdre, but if you've known me as a male for the past 15 years, I don't expect you to get it right straight away!!!

You might, indeed, be unlucky enough in your research to find yourself in front of a trans person with a gender chip on their shoulder. Just as it is possible that you might find yourself in front of an LGB person with an education chip on their shoulder!

I'll volunteer myself to give you the "trans 101" education if you decide to do some trans research.

electrobi

deirdre_dub wrote: »

I'll volunteer myself to give you the "trans 101" education if you decide to do some trans research.

I could volunteer as a person who's been in a relationship with a transgendered person. And also having a family member who has been post-op mtf for over 20 years. I will say that it depends greatly on the individual, whether or not they get distressed. For this reason perhaps a focus group or survey is best suited rather than 1-to-1 interviews. Same goes for LBG.

rere

I think the topic of "biphobia" might be interesting especially in relation to the greater LGBT community.
It'd be interesting to know if there's a higher or lower level of it in people who came out as Bi first then Gay, then there in the rest of the community.
Anyway the first thing that came into my head.

Best of luck with the thesis and I hope some of the suggestions you get here will help