Exploring LGBT Spaces and Communities

Eleanor Formby is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Education and Inclusion Research at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

• IntroductionSpatial communities and ‘gay ghettos’Cultural communities and practicesImagined communities and the ‘gay imaginary’Friendships and personal communitiesVirtual communities and cyberian mailwaysCommunity is here to stay?The researchThe bookReferences2. ‘Owning’ and questioning LGBT communitiesIntroductionThe acronym that ‘lumps together’‘Managing’ the acronymAmbivalenceCommonalityAgencyChapter summaryReferences3. Diversity, inequality and prejudice amongst LGBT people IntroductionOverview of existing literatureDiversity and inequalityIdentity-based prejudiceFaith and religionParenting(Non)conformity Chapter summaryReferences 4. Lived experience and ‘doing’ communityIntroductionOverview of existing literatureSocialising, friendship and seeking intimacyFriendship familiesSafety in numbersAccessing ‘safe’ spacesSelf-censorshipActivismLived experience across the life courseChapter summaryReferences5. Relationships to, within and beyond physical spacesIntroductionOverview of existing literaturePhysical space and geographical areasRelocation Rural livingTravel and tourism Groups and servicesOnline spaces and virtual communities Chapter summaryReferences6. The pleasures and pains of scene spacesIntroductionOverview of existing literatureThe scene as ‘community’Positive experiencesScene exclusionsInvasion, choice and ownership Chapter summaryReferences7. Pride spaces, rituals and symbolsIntroductionOverview of existing literatureCreating communities?Safety and freedom Celebration ProtestPartying with politicsCommercialismAlcohol at Pride events Exclusion ‘Excess’ and ‘extreme’ displays of prideChapter summaryReferences8. Imagined communities and a sense of belongingIntroductionOverview of existing literatureBelonging and connectionCommonalities, similarities, and mutual understanding Differences and valuesShared experiences and the ‘bond’ of discrimination?Chapter summaryReferences9. Consequences for wellbeingIntroductionOverview of existing literatureImpacts on physical and mental health Seeking supportFriendships, confidence and self-esteemFinding people ‘like me’Alcohol, drugs and sex on the sceneParadoxical spacesChapter summaryReferences10. Conclusions and implicationsReferencesAppendix: Research methods and participantsResearch process and recruitmentOnline surveyInterviews and group discussions ParticipantsReferences

This important work, critically approaches a vexed topic that of ‘community’ in an informed, innovative and rigorous way. Its cross disciplinary approach and clear writing style means that it will be of interest to all who are interested and work with not only lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities, but also those who are interested in social cohesion, identities, exclusions and marginalisations. This is also a must read for policy makers and the LGBT community and voluntary sector. Katherine Browne, Professor Human Geography at University of Brighton, UKExploring LGBT Spaces and Communities interrogates the complexities that lurk behind the deceptively simple idea of "community." Page after page, Eleanor Formby shatters the stereotype of singularity and shows us the manifold experiences of communities—in the plural—for LGBT people. This book is sure to poke and provoke as it traverses tensions between sameness and difference, hostility from the outside and safe spaces within, forced labels that misalign with lived experiences, on-line and offline encounters, cynicism and celebration about membership, demanding conformity or celebrating individuality, and in broad strokes, whether sexuality is primary or peripheral in our lives.Amin Ghaziani, University of British Columbia, CanadaThis book will be a valuable addition to any undergraduate or postgraduate course of study that includes issues of sexuality, identity, community, (mental) health and wellbeing. It makes no apology about the complexities that the data unfolds and provides meticulous attention to the detail of people’s experiences and intersectional identities. Overall, the book explores the many ways in which ‘LGBT community’ – awkward, inadequate, limited, sometimes oppressive, discriminatory, hostile and exclusive – is aspired to (and is often a [temporary] reality).Catherine Donovan, University of Sunderland, UKThe take-away message of this book is that although we may talk about ‘the LGBT community’ it may make more sense to talk about a plurality of LGBT communities, as the mainstream ‘LGBT community’ may be unhomely, unwelcoming and discriminatory to some LGBT people.Diane Richardson, Sage