PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET FOR PARTICIPANTS
 
[‘Wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Defenders’]

 The research I am carrying out is for a dissertation that I have to complete as part of my MA degree in Applied Human Rights at the University of York. My dissertation supervisor is Sara Van Goozen.

Outline of project This research will examine the mental health and wellbeing of LGBT+ human rights defenders. This research will examine three key categories that contribute to their mental health and our conceptualisation of it.
(a) Risks in human rights works and the intersection of their identities.
(b) Coping mechanisms and wellbeing; I will examine what protective factors and what barriers exist in promoting their wellbeing.
(c) Familial relationship and support; previous research has shown the benefit of family support in the wellbeing of human rights defenders while LGBT+ people are one of the few minorities that don't innately have family representation so it would be of interest to see what communities formed as support and family responses exist to benefit or inhibit the wellbeing of human rights defenders.

The specific population of interest within this research is LGBTQIA+ human rights defender in the UK and US. This is in part to build on the previous research done by Alice Nah at the University of York in research LGBTQIA+ defenders in Colombia, Mexico, Kenya, Egypt, and Indonesia to fill the gap in our understanding of their wellbeing and risks. This research is also important to developing an accurate and culturally competent model of support and wellbeing for LGBTQIA+ defenders.

By comparing these two western countries we will be able to see what similarities and differences are apparent in the multi-layered process of advocacy, risks, and wellbeing of defenders. The scope of advocacy for LGBTQIA+ is vast globally and relative to this, protections and security, risks, policies, and relevant actors are similar between the US and UK. This comparison will allow the research to examine what strengths and gaps exists in LGBTQIA+ security and its impact of wellbeing. The main output of this research will be a report evaluating the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ defenders in the US and UK, review of relevant literature and historical and cultural influences, and the conclusion of recommendations to support wellbeing of these defenders moving forward. There is also the potential hope that this report will feed into collaborative efforts by other researchers at the University of York to expand on security and protections of human rights defenders.

What will I be asked to do?
Surveys: The participants will take part in a 10 to 15-minute online survey on the topic of wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders with emphasis on risks, coping mechanisms and support.
In depth interviews: The interviewee will take part in a 30 to 45-minute interview with one researcher for participants to share their opinions and experiences on the topic of wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders, with emphasis on risks, coping mechanisms and support through a series of open and closed research questions.

Do I have to take part?
If you decide not to take part, that’s OK. If you do decide to take part and later change your mind, you can withdraw at any point up to August 1st 2022. You do not have to give a reason. Should you withdraw, any information that you have provided will be destroyed.

What will happen to the information?
Interviews will be recorded (subject to your consent) and transcribed by the researcher. All data provided by participants will be anonymised. Quotes from the data will not be attributed to specific individuals. If you feel uncomfortable answering any specific questions, please abstain from answering and inform the researcher.

Data will be stored securely on the University of York’s central data storage system and will be available only to Geri Beamer. The storage and use of this data is in compliance with the UK’s GDPR.

The dissertation will be seen only by academic staff in the Department of Politics and its external examiner. The dissertation will not include interview transcripts.

The researcher can be contacted at the address below:

Researcher: Geri Beamer gb1238@york.ac.uk
Supervisor: Sara Van Goozen sara.vangoozen@york.ac.uk
Department Ethics Officer: Dr Gyda Sindre, gyda.sindre@york.ac.uk

All data is held in the University of York’s Central Storage System in accordance with the GDPR

Consent Form – LGBTQIA+ Defenders

‘Wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Defenders’

This form is for you to state whether or not you agree to take part in the study. Please read and answer every question. Anonymity will be offered as standard. If there is anything you do not understand, or if you want more information, please ask the researcher (gb1238@york.ac.uk).

By clicking I agree below you are consenting to the following: That you’ve read and understood the information leaflet That you’ve understood that the information you provide will be held in confidence by the researchers That you are consenting to take part in the study but are aware you have the right to withdraw at any time without giving a reason That any information provided will appear anonymously in the outputs That you consent to the data you provide being stored for 1 year and then permanently deleted.