Abstract: LGBTQ+ Youth Activists in the U.S.: An Exploration of Their Progress, Challenges, and Aspirations (Society for Social Work and Research 29th Annual Conference)

Schedule:

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Ballard, Level 3 (Sheraton Grand Seattle)

* noted as presenting author

Megan (Meg) Paceley, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Kansas, CT

Spencer Evans, LMSW, PhD Student and Graduate Research Assistant, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT

Leonardo Kattari, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan - Dearborn, Dearborn, MI

Briana McGeough, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

April Diaz, MSW, MA, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, Lawrence, KS

Jessica Fish, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Maryland at College Park, MD

Background and Purpose:

LGBTQ+ youth are facing an onslaught of oppressive legislation, policy, and rhetoric across the U.S. (Paceley et al., 2023; Trans Legislation Tracker, 2024). While this hostile sociopolitical climate increases LGBTQ+ youth’s risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidality (Abreu et al., 2022; Paceley et al., 2023; Renley et al., 2022), LGBTQ+ youth are also engaging in individual and collective acts of resistance to promote progressive and intersectional social change (Paceley et al., 2021; Robinson & Schmitz, 2021). As a profession committed to promoting social justice and engaging with and on behalf of marginalized groups, social workers are positioned to be active in the development of LGBTQ+ youth activists. To this end, this study aimed to explore the progress, challenges, and aspirations of activism among LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S.

Methods:

We utilized a novel dataset to qualitatively explore the activism experiences of LGBTQ+ adolescents. Q Chat Space is a synchronous, online, LGBTQ+ supportive chat platform that reaches LGBTQ+ youth internationally (Fish et al., 2022). Through a research partnership with Q Chat Space, we identified 16 chat transcripts, from between June, 2019 and April, 2022, that focused on activism related to Black Lives Matter, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Transcripts were coded using Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) to gain insight into how LGBTQ+ view and approach activism, their experiences and challenges with activism, and how social workers and social work educators might better support LGBTQ+ youth activists.

Results:

Thematic analysis resulted in three primary themes: 1) barriers to activism, including safety, 2) impact of activism on wellbeing, and 3) approaches to activism. Many participants expressed a passion for causes beyond LGBTQ+ rights, such as environmental justice, human rights initiatives, and racial justice. Regardless of the causes participants were passionate about, LGBTQ+ youth shared the common experience of how challenging it can be to engage in activism, especially with the limitations of being a minor or living in conservative regions. Additional barriers to engaging in activism include the risk to one’s safety and the potential for backlash. Despite these safety concerns and other barriers, LGBTQ+ youth frequently shared their aspirations and how they plan to remain an active change agent. Participants shared their ideas and experiences with activism in school environments, social settings, and through social media and collaborated to identify additional ways they can promote change for marginalized communities. Youth also discussed how activism impacted their wellbeing through both the rewards and challenges that come with activism.

Conclusion:

These findings contribute to the literature on LGBTQ+ youth activism by providing a nuanced understanding of the complexities of activism experiences during a period in time in which racial justice and LGBTQ+ equity are under attack, as well as in the midst of a pandemic. Implications for social workers include identifying strategies to increase safety, reduce barriers, and promote wellbeing for LGBTQ+ youth activists.