The LGBTQ+ Digital Lives project aims to explore feelings of safety online and its impact on wellbeing.
A series of workshops will allow young LGBTQ+ to focus on positive online spaces and decide on artwork for an art exhibition that will showcase their enjoyable experiences of social media and the internet.
The art exhibition aims to counter the negative coverage of LGBTQ+ issues that can be seen in mainstream media coverage. It will provide examples of positive spaces for LGBTQ+ and this might inform other LGBTQ+ people and LGBTQ+ allies of safe spaces.
The research follows on from British Academy (BA) Small Grant funded research that looked at transgender, non-binary and gender diverse participation in swimming.
Participants in the swimming research reported feeling unsafe in public spaces, but when they met and swam together in a group they felt safe, they enjoyed themselves, they were happy and felt that they belonged. These feelings are significant to wellbeing, especially for a group that experiences marginalisation, exclusion and isolation.
Get involved
Three 2-hour workshops are planned for 20th and 22nd August and 2nd October. The workshops are open to those who are LGBTQ+ and aged over 18. Participants will receive a £10 voucher for their time.
The content and ideas shared during the workshops will contribute to the 'Our Digital Lives' art exhibition, which will be on display during the ESRC Festival of Social Science (October - November 2024) with plans to also display during LGBTQ+ History Month (February 2025) and Pride Month (June 2025).
To find out more about the workshops or get involved, please contact Dr Jayne Caudwell at [email protected]