Don’t look like lesbian when you walk through the village, lesbians, gays, and transgenders in rural communities

Abstract

This study explores the coping practices of lesbians, gays, and trans (LG&T) people, living in rural communities, as they experience hardships originating from their surroundings in small rural communities in Israel. The research findings based on in-depth interviews with 24 gay, lesbian, and trans subjects, suggest that those who live in rural communities feel that their lifestyle is subjected to prejudice and scrutiny and monitoring. This anachronistic homophobic attitude is still prevalent in smaller communities in Israel. Subjects report that this causes distress and discomfort thus affecting their well-being and sense of belonging to the community, that is their home. The study reveals two approaches utilized to deal with the social control applied to them: the practice of resistance that contributes to the sense of relaxation and resilience of LGBTQ+ people in their surroundings, and the practice of avoidance that allows them to live their lives undisturbed. The findings show the importance of creating unique social services suitable for this minority living in rural communities.