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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer experiences of homelessness and identity: insecurity and home(o)normativity

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  • Peter Matthews
  • Christopher Poyner
  • Richard Kjellgren

Abstract

Homelessness among the young lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGBT+) population is becoming an increasing societal concern, with alarmist reporting of high rates of homelessness compared to heterosexual people. This paper presents qualitative evidence from research with 20 LGBT + people who had experienced homelessness in Scotland. Significantly, it moves discussion of LGBT + homelessness out of a concern with public health and social work, to understand it in terms of homelessness research and housing theory. The analysis also brings in queer theory to our discussions of homelessness and housing. As a result, rather than understanding our participants as passive victims of a homophobic or transphobic society, we focus on their agency in developing a queer identity alongside their experiences of insecure accommodation. In their experiences of homelessness people were carrying out ‘edgework’ at the margins of heteronormative society. Routes out of homelessness were thus associated with people becoming more comfortable within their identities. We conclude by arguing that experiences of homelessness interacted in complex ways with sexual and gender identity, and that tailored mainstream housing provision is required for LGBT + homeless people.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Matthews & Christopher Poyner & Richard Kjellgren, 2019. "Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer experiences of homelessness and identity: insecurity and home(o)normativity," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 232-253, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:intjhp:v:19:y:2019:i:2:p:232-253
    DOI: 10.1080/19491247.2018.1519341
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    Cited by:

    1. Isobel Anderson & Joe Finnerty & Vikki McCall, 2020. "Home, Housing and Communities: Foundations for Inclusive Society," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(3), pages 1-4.
    2. Wall, Catherine S.J. & Patev, Alison J. & Benotsch, Eric G., 2023. "Trans broken arm syndrome: A mixed-methods exploration of gender-related medical misattribution and invasive questioning," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    3. Kusha Tiwari, 2020. "Gender Variant Children and Institutional Arrangements: Exploring the Phenomenon from South Asian Perspective," South Asian Survey, , vol. 27(2), pages 141-157, September.
    4. Peter Matthews & Christopher Poyner, 2019. "The experience of living in deprived neighbourhoods for LGBT+ people: Making home in difficult circumstances," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 51(7), pages 1499-1515, October.

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