VIU Master's Student Awarded Research Grant to Study Safe Leisure Spaces for LBGTQ2S+ Youth

VIU research student leading the way in defining what safe spaces mean for LBGTQ2+ youth

Vancouver Island University (VIU) student Julia Froese is hoping her research project will help raise awareness about the importance of safe leisure spaces for the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer, two-spirit and other (LBGTQ2S+) youth of Vancouver Island and, when completed, offer helpful suggestions on how best to approach the topic of gender and sexual equality at public spaces, facilities and businesses.

Froese says her research focuses on three pillars – activities, infrastructure and staff  -- and is looking at how those things interact to make leisure spaces safe, or not, for LBGTQ2S+ youth. The research project’s overarching question is: What makes spaces safe for LBGTQ2S+ youth?

“These spaces may include Boys and Girls clubs, swimming pools, after school clubs and parks as examples. Basically, any places LBGTQ2S+ youth like to spend their free time,” said Froese. “I’m looking at exploring the experiences that they have in public leisure spaces and how a sense of belonging and inclusion is fostered through specific activities, infrastructure, and staff interactions that allow them to engage in meaningful leisure.”

Froese, a VIU Master in Sustainable Leisure Management student, was awarded the prestigious ‘Canada Graduate Scholarship Master’s Award’ which included a grant of $17,500 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). According to the SSHRC website, the objective of the grant is “to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified people.” It goes to support students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. Froese was excited when she heard she received the award and saw it as an incredible vote of confidence in her work.

“It’s important that LBGTQ2S+ youth have a safe space to have an authentic experience and freedom to express themselves however they wish,” said Froese. “Often these youths’ stories go untold, which often results in them not participating in leisure or entering public leisure spaces.”

She says an essential aspect of the research is to allow the youth’s stories “to come forth and give testament to what they deem important.”

“Some examples have emphasized the importance of judgment-free sport settings that work to eliminate gender and sexuality stereotypes; having gender-neutral washrooms and change rooms available; and having staff express a willingness to learn more about LBGTQ2S+ issues,” said Froese.  

A.J. Macleod is the program coordinator of Generation Q, a Nanaimo-based 2SLGBTQ+ designated space for youth. Macleod says highlighting the need for safe leisure spaces encompasses much more than just the idea of place, it’s about changing perceptions and protecting a vulnerable segment of our population.

“It’s so important because this is a marginalized and vulnerable segment of our population who experience exponentially high rates of violence, homelessness, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts and attempts. Addressing this issue in an inclusive way and seeing real change in the community can help bring those numbers down,” said Macleod.  

Macleod says for programs and services to be successful, LGBTQ2S youth need to have their opinions included and validated.

“Having leisure professionals reach out on inclusive practices can be empowering for 2SLGBTQ+ youth because they see that they are key stakeholders in the creative process and that safe spaces may be created through their ideas and actions,” said Macleod.

Froese expects to complete and present her thesis sometime in 2017.

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