Microaggressions experienced by LGBTQ academics in Canada: "just not fitting in… it does take a toll". Issue 3 (16th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beagan, Brenda L.; Mohamed, Tameera; Brooks, Kim; Waterfield, Bea; Weinberg, Merlinda
• Is Part Of: International journal of qualitative studies in education. Volume 34:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 212
• Publication Date: 2021-03-16
• Subjects: Higher education -- sexual orientation -- gender identity -- qualitative research -- university faculty; Education -- Research -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'éducation -- Méthodes qualitatives -- Périodiques; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1080/09518398.2020.1735556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-8398

Abstract

Abstract: Given contemporary attention to diversity and inclusion on Canadian university campuses, and given human rights protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, it is tempting to believe that marginalization is a thing of the past for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) academics. Our qualitative study ( n = 8), focusing on everyday experiences rather than overt discrimination, documents numerous microaggressions, the often-unintended interactions that convey messages of marginality. With colleagues, students and administrators, participants reported isolation, tokenism, invisibility, hyper-visibility, dismissal, exoticization, and lack of institutional support. Maintaining constant vigilance and caution was taxing. The everyday microaggressions that lead to isolation and a sense of dis-ease in pervasively cisgender-normative and heteronormative institutions are very difficult to challenge, as they are not the kinds of experiences anti-discrimination policies and procedures are designed to address.