Leading a new research project on living conditions among queer people
Although the international development is not only pleasant, progress is being made in many areas in Norway. The first Bygdepride was held in Volda in 2018. Now there are pride events all over the country. Photo: Liv Aarberg / Flickr
Nordland Research Institute will once again examine what it is like to live as a queer person in Norway. The consequences of recent political developments, both nationally and internationally, are an important focus of the project.
Bufdir (the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs) awarded in June Nordland Research Institute The mission. Together with Fafo (Institute for Work and Welfare Research), the Bodø-based institute will investigate living conditions among queer people, and identify specific challenges for bisexuals.
Enormous development
Similar surveys have been conducted in 1978, 1999, 2013 and 2020. Project leader Helga Eggebø and Nordland Research Institute was on the team last time and wrote the report " Sexual orientation, gender diversity and living conditions. Results from the 2020 survey ". Now Eggebø is excited about what developments the new surveys will show.
– Both we and the client are concerned about whether the political developments in recent years have anything to say. Both in the US and elsewhere in the world, we see a shift towards repressive tendencies, which particularly affect queer people, she says.
– It is not a fun part of our times, but at the same time it is important to remember that in recent decades there has been an enormous development towards acceptance in this country.
Eggebø points out that the number of pride events has exploded.
– Pride is no longer just a big city phenomenon. Less than 10 years after the first rural pride was held in Volda, there are now pride events on every peninsula across the country, she says.
– So it is conceivable that the polarized discussions in the United States, which are exposed on all channels, in themselves affect living conditions in Norway.
Worse living conditions for bisexuals
To find out about living conditions among queer people, the researchers will conduct a survey that will address issues such as education, finances, and health. The researchers will also ask about people's satisfaction with life and whether they have experienced discrimination.
In addition, the project will specifically examine the situation of bisexuals in Norway.
– The two previous studies reported poorer living conditions for bisexuals. We will try to find out what this is about, says Eggebø, who is thus participating in pioneering work.
– No studies have previously been conducted on bisexuals in Norway. Now is the time to try and understand how and why their living conditions differ from those of other queer people.
