Abstract

Research with rural LGBTQ + youth suggests their experiences of stigma and victimization, as well as related health concerns, may be greater than that of urban LGBTQ + youth. Regional differences may also affect their experiences, yet we lack research on the nuanced contextual factors affecting LGBTQ + youth in the rural Midwest. This study examined the lived experiences pertaining to community and school environments among LGBTQ + youth in rural Minnesota (N = 7). Specifically, we aimed to understand how youth navigated their gender and sexual identities, including authenticity, within these contexts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with LGBTQ + youth and then analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings include three themes: (1) school-related hostility and challenges; (2) community intolerance affecting personal authenticity; and (3) affirming environments, support, and authenticity. The findings indicate rural LGBTQ + youth in Minnesota have difficulty accessing inclusive resources and navigating rural environments; also highlighting the resiliency of youth and their ability to identify people and spaces that provided opportunities to practice authenticity and wholeness.

摘要

对农村 LGBTQ + 青年的研究表明，他们的耻辱和受害经历以及相关的健康问题可能比城市 LGBTQ + 青年更大。地区差异也可能影响他们的经历，但我们缺乏对影响中西部农村 LGBTQ + 青年的微妙背景因素的研究。本研究调查了明尼苏达州农村地区 LGBTQ + 青年与社区和学校环境相关的生活经历（N = 7)。具体来说，我们旨在了解年轻人如何在这些背景下驾驭他们的性别和性身份，包括真实性。对 LGBTQ + 青年进行半结构化访谈，然后使用主题分析进行分析。调查结果包括三个主题：（1）与学校有关的敌意和挑战；(2) 影响个人真实性的社区不容忍；(3) 肯定环境、支持和真实性。调查结果表明，明尼苏达州的农村 LGBTQ + 青年难以获得包容性资源和适应农村环境；还强调了青年的复原力及其识别人和空间的能力，这些人和空间提供了实践真实性和完整性的机会。