Sexual and gender minorities in agricultural research: the hidden mirror

Abstract

This paper highlights the invisibility of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) within agricultural research. Through a review of the literature, the authors posit that the majority of gender in agriculture research focuses on binary gender identities, with little space for gender diverse expressions or sexuality outside heteronormative frameworks of the 'family'. Through these (binary) narratives, researchers work to identify power imbalances between women and men, with a view to 'empowerment', and more recently, developing understandings of 'masculinity'. Looking outside agriculture, gender researchers are beginning to investigate diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Contemporary research is finding through investigation of power and access within societies that SGM groups often have less access to resources, and voice, with development and research interventions almost always overlooking their diverse roles in society and specific needs. Given the pivotal role of gender research in agriculture uncovering inequalities in power and access between men and women, and the resultant impacts on food security, nutrition and production, this framework should be extended to include vulnerable groups such as SGM. The paper presents an opportunity to discuss the integration of SGM in agricultural research, to broaden our theoretical and methodological approaches.