Disrupting racism– young ethnic queers in white queer Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Queer ethnic young people in Aotearoa New Zealand are a multi-marginalized group, many of whom are met with racism and exclusion from a predominantly white queer community. Very little is known about how young ethnic queers in Aotearoa navigate a community that inheres the ideals and structures of racism. This in-depth qualitative study of 43 queer ethnic young people living in two of the largest metropolitan cities in Aotearoa investigates their experiences and relationships with the white queer community through Persadie and Narain’s mash-up analytical process. For these young ethnic queers, disrupting the racist behaviors and practices within queer spaces and of white queers were crucial in helping them challenge, resist, speak up to and reflect on their experiences with white saviourism, objectification, patronization, and rejection.