Culture, Health and Sexuality
Volume 19, Issue 10, 2017, Pages 1165-1179

Promoting the wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender forced migrants in Canada: providers’ perspectives (Article)

Kahn S.* , Alessi E. , Woolner L. , Kim H. , Olivieri C.
  • a School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • b School of Social Work, Rutgers University New BrunswickNJ, United States
  • c School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • d School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • e AGIR: Action LGBTQ avec les Immigrantes et Réfugiés, Montreal, Canada

Abstract

Researchers are beginning to document the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) forced migrants in settlement. However, studies exploring the perceptions of service providers working with this vulnerable population are limited. These may shed light on the challenges of meeting the needs of LGBT forced migrants, especially mental health issues and problems. This qualitative study elicited the views of 22 Canadian service providers, including advocates, lawyers and mental health practitioners, who serve LGBT forced migrants. Grounded theory analysis revealed the following four themes: facilitating safety, buffering rejection; tracking avoidance patterns; interpreting mental health; and negotiating identity paradigms. Participants’ accounts suggest that LGBT forced migrants may be best served by providers who understand the exigencies of establishing trust and safety for their clients; recognise their clients’ nuanced social support needs; facilitate the refugee claims process; grasp the complexity of their clients’ mental health challenges; and interrogate their own cultural biases regarding sexual orientations and gender identities. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

Forced migrants Asylum Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Refugee LGBT Canada

Index Keywords

Health Personnel refugee sexual behavior health care personnel sexual and gender minority mental health human Refugees middle aged Sexual and Gender Minorities social support qualitative research Humans psychology male Canada female adult grounded theory migration Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85015768244&doi=10.1080%2f13691058.2017.1298843&partnerID=40&md5=feaf37c64097055b2d1411a0b10b573e
DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2017.1298843
ISSN: 13691058
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English