Teaching and studying LGBTQ+ identities in the UK in 2021: an autoethnographic account

Hubbard, Rachel

Abstract

The current landscape for LGBTQ+ people in the UK is a complex mixture of progress and acceptance, misrepresentation and abuse. Trans people particularly are experiencing greater visibility than ever before whilst seeing their existence, rights and resources debated and challenged in the media, courts and government.
Reflecting on this context as a social work educator, doctoral student and LGBTQ+ person with a trans child and partner has led me to consider the place of LGBTQ+ experiences in social work education and practice. The limited inclusion of LGBTQ+ experiences – and almost total absence of trans people - in pre- and post-qualifying social work education (Hudson-Sharp, 2018), despite inclusion in domain 3 of the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW, 2018), BASW Code of Ethics (2021a) and position statement on work with trans people (2021b), can allow space for ill-informed and oppressive practice.
My own experiences as a queer person and partner, but especially as a parent, have driven my doctoral studies to explore the lived experiences of parents of trans young people. I am planning qualitative research using narrative and creative methods that will invite parents of trans young people to describe and explore their views and experiences through interviews. In this research, I am aiming to offer another perspective to the clinical, professional and media voices that are often loudest in describing parents of trans young people. I aim to give space for parents to identify the roles they play in the stories they tell about coming to understand their child’s gender.
This presentation will take a personal perspective on the impact of living every day as a subject, researcher and educator about LGBTQ+ experiences and social work.

Citation

Hubbard, R. (2021, September). Teaching and studying LGBTQ+ identities in the UK in 2021: an autoethnographic account. Paper presented at Sexuality and Social Work Global Online Conference, Online

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Sexuality and Social Work Global Online Conference
• Conference Location: Online
• Start Date: Sep 10, 2021
• End Date: Sep 11, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 25, 2022
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/8535581
• Publisher URL: https://www.sexualityandsocialwork.com/conference/