Bragg, S; Thomson, R; O'Riordan, K; (2021) Digital Intimacies and LGBT+ Youth: Celebration, Equity and Safety. University of Sussex: Brighton, UK.

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Abstract

“Digital Intimacies and LGBT+ youth” was commissioned by Brook, the wellbeing and sexual health charity for under-25s. It builds on the insights of its earlier report Digital Romance (McGeeney and Hanson 2017) which researched young people’s digital intimacy practices. For this report, we revisited survey and focus group data specifically from LGBT+ participants in that research. Additionally, we reviewed academic literature and gathered new data from LGBT+ youth groups, youth work practitioners and teachers, and parents / carers. Our research took place during the period of lockdowns due to Covid-19. These induced rapid shifts in perceptions of the online and in youth work practices, which have shaped our analysis here. The report summarises its findings under the headings of: // Celebration: We acknowledge the positive experiences that LGBT+ youth have online. We recognise LGBT+ youth as engaged creatively in diverse practices of community-building across many digital and offline spaces. Although there may be some (real and imagined) generational gaps in appreciating the value of digital cultures, we describe how youth work professionals rapidly and flexibly adapted their work with young people to online spaces under lockdown. Evidence that youth work practices were in turn able to positively impact some young people’s online relationship-building shows the value and vitality of cross-generational work and spaces. // Equity: We acknowledge the particular challenges faced by LGBT+ youth in a heteronormative world, which require specific resources to ameliorate. Some of these resources – especially for LGBT+ friendly youth services and other provision – are inadequate and / or under threat. Young people in our research looked particularly to schools to create safe and inclusive spaces including through relationships and sexuality education. We also draw attention to the responsibilities of platform providers, since many features of internet architecture prioritise commercial imperatives above privacy, preventing online harassment, or access to information. // Safety: We acknowledge the particular issues faced by LGBT+ youth in forging relationships and identities and their need for support. These intersect with many different aspects of identity. However we argue that an overemphasis on risk can be alienating and counterproductive, especially if it comes at the expense of more positive representations. Risk-taking is a necessary part of growing and learning. Managing risk should be seen as a lifelong project for all of us, constantly revisited, rather than something that can be avoided entirely or achieved at a single point in time. We conclude by offering a set of recommendations for practice relevant to funding bodies, campaigners, youth work professionals, schools, families and carers. These relate to: • Inclusive Relationships and Sex(uality) Education • Inclusive online safety • Resourcing anti-harassment strategies • Demanding more from digital media providers • Actively supporting parents and carers • Creating and networking safe spaces • Supporting youth community spaces • Supporting creativity/world-making • Outreach and exchange

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