‘Them Two Things are What Collide Together’: Understanding the Sexual Identity Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People Labelled with Intellectual Disability

Dinwoodie, Robert, Greenhill, Beth ORCID: 0000-0003-4948-6796 and Cookson, Alex (2016) ‘Them Two Things are What Collide Together’: Understanding the Sexual Identity Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People Labelled with Intellectual Disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33 (1). pp. 3-16.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jar.12252

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Previous research aiming to understand the lives of lesbian, gay bisexual and trans (LGBT) people labelled with intellectual disabilities is limited. There are few recent studies and available findings are often contradictory and inconsistent.<h4>Method</h4>This study aimed to explore how LGBT people labelled with intellectual disabilities experienced their sexual identities. Five LGBT people labelled with intellectual disabilities were interviewed, and data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology.<h4>Results</h4>Four superordinate themes represented the following: common experiences of bullying/abuse, understanding sexualities, other's responses to intellectual disabilities and sexualities, and navigating acceptance.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Strategies for coping with abuse maintained participant's engagement in local communities. Sexuality was often problematized by others despite being generally accepted by participants. Coming out was a continual process of decision-making to facilitate safety and acceptance. To feel fully supported, participants desired holistic service provision sensitive to their sexuality and intellectual disability needs. Clinical and research implications are suggested.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	coming out, identity, intellectual disability, interpretative phenomenological analysis, non-heterosexual sexuality
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	28 Jun 2019 15:13
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 00:38
DOI:	10.1111/jar.12252
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3047811