MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION FACED BY GAY AND LESBIAN YOUTH IN NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA by Julius Okpodi B.Sc, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FUFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA March, 2011 ©Julius Okpodi 2011 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington OttawaONK1A0N4 OttawaONK1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-75166-4 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-75166-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. 1+1 Canada MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION 1 Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender questioning (LGBTQ) youth are at high risk of not receiving necessary care as a function of marginalization; anti-LGBTQ violence and abuse; and, social exclusion. This study explores the subjective experiences of gay men and lesbians in Northern British Columbia (B.C.) who self-identified as having difficulties in accessing health care services. An in-depth face to face interview and a critical hermeneutic phenomenological approach were used to share their subjective experience of oppression, and recommendations for future improvements of health-care services delivered to LGBTQ youth in Northern B.C.; five main themes emerged from these interviews: no support for LGBTQ youth, lack of a desire to access health-care services, professional skills, challenges, and services delivery. While these themes overlap and reinforce each other, lack of respect from healthcare professionals was an overwhelming and ongoing concern presented by participants. In addition, I examined thirteen sub-themes in the daily experience of LGBTQ youth: not enough health-care professionals, nowhere to socialize, discrimination and denial of health-care services, fear and internalized homophobia, lack of education on LGBTQ issues, not enough services, no need to access healthcare services, lack of psycho-education program for health-care professionals, equal treatment for everyone, questions and harassment, isolation and depression, lack of support and advocacy services for LGBTQ. These themes offer insight into the everyday effects of multiple forms of oppression and marginalization, and the possibilities for innovative forms of health­ care services that could be delivered to LGBTQ youth. The findings from this research can increase understanding for health-care professionals in servicing LGBTQ youth. The findings can also be applied to enhance community outreach, develop services for LGBTQ youth, and improve relationships within and among marginalized communities. MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION u Acknowledgement This research would not have been possible without the understanding, support and encouragement of many people. I am grateful to God for his guidance and protection during my years at the University of Northern British Columbia. I would like to share deep gratitude to my thesis supervisor Dr. Glen Schmidt, for his support and dedication to the research and for helping me become a better student, teacher, and researcher. I am especially appreciative of the hard work, unending support, and constant encouragement from my thesis committee, Professor Joanna Pierce and Dr. John Sherry. I am utterly in awe of the support I received from my family, especially my wife Patricia Okpodi whose prayers, love, and unconditional moral support were crucial to the completion of the project. Special thank goes to Emmarex Elemieye for being a true brother and a great mentor during my academic struggles. I would like to thank my colleagues and friends especially three J's and B for their support and encouragement throughout the course work at the University. Finally, I sincerely appreciate the support of my best friends Reem and Jasmine who helped out in some difficult times and were always there to encourage and support my efforts. To all of you who read this, never give up your dreams to change the world. MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION iii Table of Contents Abstract i Acknowledgement ii Table of Contents iii List of Tables viii Chapter One 1 Introduction 1 Theoretical Perspective 3 Rural Northern British Columbia 4 Statement of the Problem 5 Purpose of the Statement 6 Significance of the Study 6 Areas of Focus 7 Research Question 7 Conclusion 8 Chapter Two 9 Literature Review 9 Definitions of Terminologies Used in Identifying LGBTQ 9 History of Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement 12 Canadian Perspective on Gay and Lesbian Movement 13 Anti-oppressive Social Work Practice with LGBTQ Youth 18 Oppression and Discrimination Faced by Gay Men and Lesbians 20 Three Levels of Prejudice, Discrimination, and Marginalization of LGBTQ 21 MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION iv Personal Level 22 Cultural Level 24 Structural Level 27 Conclusion 29 Chapter Three 31 Methodology 31 Hermeneutic Phenomenology 31 Personal B ackground 33 Assumptions and Biases 34 Hermeneutic Phenomenology 35 Participants 36 Sampling Method 36 Sampling Size 37 Taped Oral Recording and Research Instruments 37 Data Collection 38 Demographic Questionnaire 38 Interview Procedure 39 Informed Consent 39 Location 39 Procedure 39 Resource List 40 Data Analysis 40 Transcription 41 MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION v Verification Approach 43 Member (Participant) Checking 44 Ethical Considerations 45 Conclusion 45 Chapter Four 47 Research Findings 47 Demographics 47 Themes, Sub-themes, and Self Reflexive Journal 53 No Support for LGBTQ Youth 55 Not Enough Health Care Professionals 56 Nowhere to Socialize 57 Discrimination and Denial of Health Care Services 58 Fear and Internalized Homophobia 61 Lack of Education on LGBTQ Issues 63 Lack of a Desire to Access Health Care Services 66 Not Enough Health Care Services 66 No Need to Access Health Care Services 67 Professional Skills 68 Be Respectful And Respect a Person's Gender Identity 68 Lack of Psycho-Education for Health Care Professionals 69 Equal Treatment 71 Challenges 72 Questions and Harassment 72 MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION vi Isolation and Depression 74 Lack of Support and Advocacy Services for LGBTQ 75 Health Care Services Delivery 76 Extremely Important Services 77 Less Important Services 79 Conclusion 79 Chapter Five 81 Discussions and Recommendations 81 No Support for LGBTQ Youth 82 Lack of a Desire to Access Health Care Services 88 Professional Skills 90 Barriers, Gaps, and Challenges 92 Health Care Service Delivery 94 Implications for Social Work 95 Limitations of the Study 98 Recommendations for Future Research 99 Conclusion 100 References 102 Appendices 116 Appendix A: UNBC Research Ethics Board Approval Letter 116 Appendix B: Demographic Questionnaire 117 Appendix C: Interview Questions 120 Appendix D: Letter of Introduction 121 MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION vii Appendix E: Project Information Sheet 122 Appendix F: Informed Consent Form 124 Appendix G: Pledge of Confidentiality 125 MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION viii List of Tables Tables 48 Table 4.1 Family 48 Table 4.2 Friends 49 Table 4.3 School 49 Table 4.4 Work 50 Table 4.5 Stress 51 Table 4.6 Past Six Months Experience 51 Table 4.7 Services Required by LGBTQ Youths 52 Table 4.8 Themes, Sub-themes, and Self Reflexive Journal 54 Table 4.9 Themes and Sub-themes 55 MINIMIZING OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION 1 Chapter One Introduction Equitable access to health care and health care entitlements for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Questioning (LGBTQ) youth continues to be central to health care policy debate in North America regardless of the remarkable efforts by several human rights organizations advocating for equitable care. LGBTQ youth are at high risk of not receiving necessary care as a function of marginalization; anti-LGBTQ violence and abuse; and, social exclusion (Harper, 2003). In this study,