ANRP grad research seminar, 15.3.22: Invisibilised LGBTQ+ migrant stories

By examining the meaning of home for LGBTQ+ refugees, this research contributes to understanding of a significant gap in refugee studies

About this event

The Association of Narrative Research and Practice and the Thomas Coram Research Unit, IoE

Postgraduate Narrative Research Seminars 2021 - All are welcome, particularly graduate students.

Sonia Quintero, University of East London: The meaning of home for LGBTQ+ refugees in London

Tuesday March 15, 2022, 5.00-6.30pm (UK time)

Please book on eventbrite - a video link will be sent to registrants on the day of the seminar.

ABSTRACT: By examining the meaning of home for LGBTQ+ refugees, this research contributes to a better understanding of a significant gap in refugee studies. This study addresses some of the factors that perpetuate a problematic approach, such as the persisting invisibilisation of LGBTQ+ identities, the impact of heteronormative ideology, and internalised homophobia in both refugees’ nations of origin and host countries.The methodology in this study included narrative interviews and art-based approaches. The participants exercised their agency by creating an informal online conversation to expand on their explorations. The online exchange helped to build trust, enriched the interviews, and allowed a wider understanding of some personal experiences; it also helped to overcome language barriers and cultural differences. The online interaction added a third data set, for which an ethnographic methodology was implemented to capture the interaction between participants. To analyse the information, this study coded the most used words and sentences. Some of the artwork created as a result of the research has been included as part of an emergent narrative.By documenting the meaning of home for LGBTQ+ refugees, this analysis highlights the difficulties encountered when this community is treated as homogenous, and the need for a wider approach in refugee studies. Many policies and regulations regarding refugees do not take into consideration the LGBTQ+ population. Based on a literature review of the meaning of home for refugees, this study intends to examine how LGBTQ+ refugees locate themselves in the home narrative. Previous studies have approached the refugee community by assuming that all of them miss a place, a space and a nuclear family. In this research, the above assumption is challenged by inviting ten LGBTQ+ refugees in London to explore the meaning of home.Participants were consulted about their artwork and quotes included in this study to make sure these clearly reflected what they expressed in both the individual interviews and the creative workshops. Throughout this study, it has been clear that the meaning of home for the LGBTQ+ refugees has been impacted by the heteronormative ideology. In addition, this research has shown the variations of the meaning of home when sexual orientation is taken into consideration and that LGBTQ+ refugees have the agency to create their own home narrative.

Biographical note: I am a queer Colombian–British poet. I have lived in London for 15 years and have published several poetry books, both in English and Spanish. In my poetry I explore mental health and social issues, and whenwriting in English I reflect on topics such as migration, refugees, identity and belonging. The challenges I have faced due to my sexual orientation, myLatin American background, and speaking English as a second language, have not stopped me from reaching my goals and developing both personally and professionally. I recently graduate MA in Conflict, Displacement and Human Security at University of East London, my dissertation focused in the meaning of home for the LGBTQ+ refugees. I have experience in working with and organising local community groups that support people in multicultural and inner-city environments. I have become an active member of the community and have led several projects that combine my passion for poetry and LGBTQ+ rights. Six years ago, I started Newham Poetry Group (www.newhampoetrygroup.com), a grassroot initiative that facilitates access to creative writing for people who speak English as their second or third language as well as engaging with marginalised communities through artistic activities such as open mics, spoken words or even publishing their own books.I also co-founded Queer Newham (www.queernewham.com), a localinitiative that brings visibility to LGBTQ+ issues in my area. We work closelywith the LB Newham, community groups and neighbours to tackle discrimination, hate crime and other issues that impact us.  Simultaneously, I support several projects in Colombia, my home country. Through DiVerSia we engage with local LGBTQ+ individuals from a small town and through Painting the Valley we teach artistic and social skills to marginalised youth.For more ANRP details, please check out https://twitter.com/ANarrativeRP https://associationfornarrativeresearchandpractice.wordpress.com//  and https://www.facebook.com/groups/centrefornarrativeresearch (new ANRP group,legacy URL)