LGBTQ2S+ and Community Belonging in Rural Perth-Huron: Community Services for the Needs and Experiences of LGBTQ2S+ Community Members

Rural-specific experiences of LGBTQ2S+ individuals are often overlooked, and data regarding this unique population is lacking. Current data suggests increased levels of discrimination experienced by LGBTQ2S+ populations in rural areas, in comparison to those in urban areas. There is a call to action for rural-specific LGBTQ2S+ community services as well as multi-levelled strategies in order to decrease discrimination and thus increase community integration. This research seeks to fill the data gap of the experiences and needs of LGBTQ2S+ community members from the rural municipalities of Perth-Huron, with attention to both individual levels of discrimination and systemic levels of discrimination. This data will provide a better understanding to service providers and create effective context-specific programs and services. Further, this data will increase community collaborations in order to achieve more just and equitable communities, and thus the realization of a more neighborly community. In order to ensure the data reflects the experiences and needs of the LGBTQ2S+ community members specific to Perth-Huron, I will implement both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Data collection will include needs assessment surveys, focus groups, and interviews. As well, data mobilization through the sharing of analyzed results with collaboration partners and a publication of a final report will provide recommended actions to community service providers. This project will allow service providers to effectively target their efforts in order to better support the LGBTQ2S+ community. This will create a better sense of belonging and reduced discrimination for rural LGBTQ2S+ people within the broader communities of Perth-Huron.