Abstract

There appears to be a gap in the literature that examines the intersectionality of identities for the refugee subject, especially for queer refugees. As well, there is a prevalence of heteronormative discourses throughout the literature. In all cases, homophobic violence is named but I will argue this is not the problem; it is merely a symptom of a broken system rooted in discourses of securitization and heteronormativity. Currently, migration to Canada is overseen by an increasingly over-securitized state which treats refugee claimants as threats to the nation. Concomitantly, the cultural adherence to traditional, white, heteronormative identities adds another dimension of risk for racialized, queer refugee subjects. This research study examines the experiences of resettlement for racialized and queer refugees in Toronto – a city that claims to be a sanctuary for such refugee claimants. The findings show that although queer refugees are generally safe from blatant and overt forms of violence post-migration, they still feel the need to resort to strategic methods of discretion, as it takes time to unlearn the fear and insecurity that exists as a result of experiencing trauma in the previous country. The interviews demonstrate that although some queer refugees may have to overcome internal and external challenges in their resettled lives, ultimately the action of migrating to Canada has opened up a multitude of promising possibilities.

Highlights

  • AUTHOR’S DECLARATION FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF A MAJOR RESEARCH PAPER (MRP) I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis or dissertation

  • This research study examines the experiences of resettlement for racialized and queer refugees in Toronto – a city that claims to be a sanctuary for such refugee claimants

  • The findings show that queer refugees are generally safe from blatant and overt forms of violence post-migration, they still feel the need to resort to strategic methods of discretion, as it takes time to unlearn the fear and insecurity that exists as a result of experiencing trauma in the previous country

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Summary

Exploring the Experiences of Discretion, or the Down Low, CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Academic literature surrounding the migration and settlement of queer refugees has predominately surfaced in the past 16 years. The down low represents a secretive and underground form of queer expression that is compartmentalized from the rest of one’s life (McCune Jr, 2014) These factors are complex and can include the intersections of race, culture, refugee status, religion, and gender (Lim-Hing, 2005; Logie & Rwigema, 2014; Munro et al, 2013). When homosexuality was decriminalized through the Trudeau government of the 1960s, the Prime Minister proclaimed that “There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation” (Pearson, 2004) This was a moment of progress for white and wealthier members of the lesbian and gay communities, it relegated socially-deviant sexualities to the private sphere of the bedroom (Pearson, 2004). The narratives shared by queer refugees in this study, provide deeper insight into the resettlement experience for those seeking status in Toronto

Settlement and the White Haven
Racialized Bodies and the Canadian Security State
Queer Threats in the Heteronormative Haven
Mental Health and the Costs of Survival
Purpose and Reasoning for the Study
Choosing the Method
Ethical Considerations and the REB
Recruitment Strategies and Challenges
Implementing the Interviews and Surveys with Participants
Transcribing, Coding and Data
Demographic Composition of Participants
Emerging Themes
The Impact of Dominant Narratives
Technology and its Impact on Queer Expression and Engagement
Survival Through the Racialized Down Low
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION
The Subtle Expressions of Securitization
The Struggle to be Homonormative in a Heteronormative Society
Migrant Masculinities
The Stigma of Being the Scandalous Subject
Survival Amongst Stressors
Spirituality vs Sexuality
Finding Organizations to Recruit Relevant and Willing Participants
No Representation of Queer Women, Trans Folk, or Bisexuals
Representation of a Broader Range of Intersecting Identities and Experiences
Possible Bias in the Unplanned Interview Questions
Exploring the Experiences of Discretion, or the Down Low, for Queer People of Different Cultures
Technological Platforms as the New Queer Spaces
The Disciplinary Gaze of the Diasporic Community
The Intersectionality of Mental Disability, Race, Class and Queerness
The Importance of Education for Racialized Refugees
Intervening in the Heteronormative Violence within the Settlement Services
Welcoming Queer Representation in Heteronormative Spaces
CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION
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