About the study

1. What is the study about?

You are invited to take part in this research study, which forms the PhD thesis project of one of the co-investigators (Sujith Kumar). The study aims to explore belonging and sexual citizenship among LGBTIQA+ Sydney-based young people from Lebanese, Indian and Anglo backgrounds. We are interested in learning about the life experiences and attitudes of young people from these groups in order to study the impact of  cultural representations on life experiences and feelings of belonging.

There are two stages to participation:

• Stage One (all participants): Individual face-to-face (preferred) or telephone/Skype interviews 
• Stage Two (optional): This will be a photo-based interview scheduled 4-8 weeks after Stage One, where you will be encouraged to select and talk about 5-8 photographs on the theme, “Belonging and Meaning”. This interview can be in person (preferred) or via telephone/Skype.

You may choose to participate only in stage one, or in both stages.

2. Who can take part in the research?

Participation is open to anyone to whom all of the criteria below apply (based on self-identification):

• Identify as LGBTIQA+ 
• 18-30 years old (as at 2018)
• Lebanese, Indian or Anglo background
• Have lived in Sydney for three or more years.

3. Will I be paid?

You will receive $25 for each interview you complete (up to $50), in compensation for participating in the project.

4. Who is conducting the research?

The study is carried out by Sujith Kumar, a PhD candidate at the Centre for Social Research in Health at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The study is supervised by Emeritus Professor Peter Aggleton and Dr. Joanne Bryant, who are also based at the Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW. Click here to learn about the research team.

5. What does participation in this research require and are there any risks involved?
If you decide to take part in the research study, you will be asked to participate in an interview in person or via instant messaging, Skype or telephone, at a time and location convenient to you (to be discussed via e-mail).  Auslan interpretation will be provided if requested. The interview would consist of questions about your thoughts and experiences being an LGBTIQA+ person in Sydney, and will cover a range of topics including school, work, healthcare, culture and identity, family and intimate relationships, and life in Sydney and Australia. You will not be asked for explicit information about your sexual practices or drug use, and you do not have to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable.

In addition to the first interview, you may also choose to participate in an optional photo-based interview 4-8 weeks after the first interview, where we will meet to discuss some photos you have taken in relation to the theme, “Belonging and Meaning”. If you are interested in participating in this component of the study, you will be provided with a preparation brief that will introduce the photo-based activity with a series of prompts on the theme, to which you are encouraged to respond by producing 5-8 photographs that ideally represent different parts of your life such as what it means to be LGBTIQA+, what it means to be a member of your respective community and cultural groups, what it means to live in Sydney or be an Australian, and where and when you feel like you belong.

Each interview should take approximately 60 minutes to complete. You will receive $25 to offset transport, time and other out-of-pocket expenses for each interview (up to a maximum of 2 interviews, or $50), even if you decide to withdraw during the interview(s).

We don’t expect the interviews to cause any harm or discomfort, however if you experience feelings of distress as a result of participation in this study you can let the research team know or contact these free support services.

6. What are the possible benefits to participation?

We hope that your participation will offer new insights into citizenship, sexuality and ethnicity in Australia, challenges around inclusion and what it means to be ‘Australian’ today. Ultimately these findings may prompt reflection from within and beyond LGBTIQA+ communities and may influence culturally appropriate health, education, community support and policy perspectives both locally and elsewhere.

7. What will happen to information about me?

By agreeing to participate (either through written or recorded verbal consent) you consent to the research team collecting and using information about you for the research study. Your interview recording will be transcribed by a member of the research team (Sujith Kumar). The transcripts will then be de-identified (by removing names and other information that could potentially identify you) and will be stored indefinitely after the completion of the project. If you choose to participate in the follow-up photo-based interview, all photographs will be de-identified (e.g., identifying information removed, faces blurred, etc.), and will be stored indefinitely. Audio files, to which only Sujith Kumar will have access, will be retained for 7 years after the completion of the project and then deleted, and access to de-identified transcripts and photographs will be restricted to members of the research team only.

The data collected from your participation will be used in this project only and will only be accessible to the research team. Any publications or presentations resulting from the project will not identify you or other participants. Pseudonyms will be used for any quotes, and photos will be de-identified prior to publication.

8. What if I want to withdraw from the research study?

If you do consent to participate, you may withdraw at any time by contacting the research team directly. Your decision not to participate or to withdraw from the study will not affect your relationship with any organisations or services, including UNSW. If you decide to leave the research study, the researchers will not collect additional information from you, and will destroy any identifying information about you that was collected during your participation in the study. You will still receive the full $25 for participating in the interview (or $50 for two interviews).

9. What should I do if I have further questions about my involvement in the research study?

If you require further information regarding this study or if you have any problems which may be related to your involvement in the study, please contact us.

10. How and when will I find out what the results of the research study are?

The results of the research study may be published in a variety of ways, such as a PhD thesis, presentations at community groups, peer-reviewed journal and magazine articles, and the study’s website. All information published will be done in a way that will not identify you.