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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate a gap in research regarding the contemporary experiences of individuals who identify as both LGBT+ and Traveller through an intersectional lens in post-Brexit Britain. To fully explore this issue three research questions were formulated; Question 1: What are the experiences of individuals that identify with the LGBT+ community and the Traveller community? Question 2: What are the perceptions of Travellers in the LGBTQ+ community? Question 3: To what extent has the Travelling community become more flexible to issues of sexual orientation? These questions were explored through both qualitative and quantitative data gathered by two online surveys, which consisted of responses from both LGBT+ Travellers (9 participants) and LGBT+ Non-Travellers (41 Participants) who were recruited by the method of snowball sampling via social media, the quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the qualitative data was analysed using thematic coding. The results presented a negative experience for LGBT+ Travellers who felt the need to hide their identity and experienced discrimination in the identified theme of stereotyping in LGBT+ spaces. Perceptions of Travellers in the LGBT+ community were predominantly neutral which was attributed to the theme of a lack of knowledge regarding Travellers but also presented stereotypical anti-Traveller perceptions through the theme of minority blaming. Lastly, LGBT+ Travellers experienced rejection and discrimination in the Traveller community, centred around the themes of religiosity and identity policing, due to the perceived incompatibility of a non-heteronormative identity with Traveller culture. This research identified a lack of visibility of LGBT+ Traveller identity, in both Traveller and British society which has led to a negative impact upon this intersectional identity, predominantly causing an inability to authentically participate in either community. There is a need for further research into this unique identity, to fully comprehend the scope of their experience.

Course: Sociology with Pyschology - BSc (Hons) - C1509

Date Deposited: 2022-06-06

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13923.html