In-queering into LGBTQIA+ movement: Considerations of trauma- and violence-informed physical activity approaches

Abstract

The LGBTQIA+ community faces complex barriers to participating in physical activity such as institutionalized norms, organizational culture, and personal identity. This research aims to understand the relevance of trauma- and violence-informed physical activity (TVIPA) to address unique barriers for this community. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with allied LGBTQIA+ professionals in the physical activity realm. Three key themes were developed: (1) LGBTQIA+ community members face unique barriers to accessing physical activity, (2) Policies and guidelines alone don’t create inclusive spaces, and (3) TVIPA is fundamental to working with the LGBTQIA+ community. The findings elucidate that TVIPA approaches are essential to creating inclusive physical activity practices for LGBTQIA+ communities.

Keywords:

• LGBTQ+
• physical activity
• physical activity professionals
• qualitative
• trauma- and violence-informed

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the participants who partook in this study. Additionally, this study is a part of a larger Feminist Participatory Action Research project funded by the Social Science and Humanity Research Council to explore Trauma- and Violence-Informed approaches to Physical Activity.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no competing interests to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the SSHRC under Grant 435-2020-0757.