1. -Chad Smith, MSW
Rainbow Resource Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba

2. “The Experience of Being Gay Bashed:
Making Sense of the Senseless”
 My own experience of being gay bashed
 Participant’s understandings of their
experiences
 Systemic responses to gay bashing &
recommendations
(Social Work, Healthcare, Policing, Education, Community)

3.  Seven men were recruited & interviewed about their
experiences of homophobia with one dropping out
 The definition of gay bashing was left open for
participants to define, thus it could include verbal
harassment as well as physical violence
 4 men experienced primarily physical violence, with 3
of these requiring hospitalization
 1 of these 4 men also experienced ongoing verbal harassment
as well as the physical violence;
 2 men experienced ongoing verbal harassment

4. Kevin
 Mid-40s
 Identifies as “black”
 Grew up in northern MB, came to Winnipeg at 18
 Worked in the sex trade on and off
 HIV+ since late 90s
 Bashed in 1997 while cruising
 Stabbed
 Hospitalization extended time

5. Rick
 Early 30s
 Identifies as Aboriginal
 Bashed in 2000 while waiting for a friend on
the street
 Severe injuries
 Hospitalization

6. Dan
 Mid 40s
 Caucasian
 Grew up in rural Manitoba
 “obviously gay”
 Repeatedly bashed, harassed at school, on way
home
 Medical treatment required at various times
 Family sent him away for “fresh start”

7. Todd
 Late 40s at the time of interview
 Caucasian
 Drag queen; ambassador
 HIV+
 Bashed in 1987
 Walking home in an area known for
cruising, bashing—crossed the street for safety
 Extended hospitalization
 Has since passed away

8. Jeff
 Mid 30s
 Caucasian
 Harassed/threatened two seperate occassions
that he cited, in 2002
 Both incidences walking with his boyfriend, one
instance holding hands, the other just walking
together

9. Matt
 Late 30s
 Caucasian
 Repeated in-direct harassment/homophobia
while teaching in rural MB
 Mental breakdown
 Left teaching profession

10.  Qualitative research study
 Anti-Oppressive Practice approach
 Interviews analyzed using Grounded Theory
 Data & research findings were first presented to an
outside member checking panel made up of three
members of the LGBTTQ community in Winnipeg with
experience working with & knowledge of the
community and experience working with men that
have experienced homophobia/gay bashing
 Findings then defended to thesis committee

11. QUESTION: How do various types of
homophobia experienced by gay men affect
them and what is the process that occurs:
 Within their own personal lives
 In understanding & viewing their place in
society; &
 In how they combat homophobia?

12. Total of Eight Themes Arose from the Data
1. Personal Experiences of Homophobia
2. Fighting Back
3. Heteronormativity
4. Identity & Identity Change
5. Reaching Out—Disclosure & Support
6. Isolation
7. Power, Powerlessness, & Privilege
8. Creating Change

13. Personal Experiences of Homophobia
 Homophobia is a common occurrence
 Multiple attackers—usually male
 Physical violence—extreme
◦ Also included verbal harassment
◦ Weapons
◦ Unprovoked
 Intentional Homophobia & Violence
◦ 5 out of 6 men—Intentional towards them
◦ 6th man experienced indirect homophobia, intention

14. Fighting Back
 Verbally
 Physically
 Responsiveness to the incident afterwards
◦ Community awareness
◦ Cruising grounds
◦ Drag

15. Heteronormativity
 Use of time & space
 Messages delivered—from attackers &
supporters
 Victim blaming/internalized responsibility

16. Identity & Identity Change
 Out Identity
 Awareness
 Mental Health
 Racism
 Behaviour Changes
 Relationship impacts

17. Reaching Out: Disclosure & Support
 Disclosure decision making

19. Reaching Out: Disclosure & Support
 Disclosure decision making
 Coping methods
 Shared experiences
 Concrete & helpful
 Re-experiencing homophobia

20. Isolation
 Feeling alone
 Self isolating
 Unable to leave their home/take public
transportation
 Used as a coping method as well

21. Power, Powerlessness & Privilege
 Power over
 Language—homophobic; racist; degrading
 Violence
 Awareness to privilege; use of privilege; who has
 Resiliency of the men—use of power within

22. Creating Change
 Active change
◦ Careers
◦ Volunteerism
◦ Community
 Ideas on change
◦ Anti-homophobia education at large
◦ Anti-homophobia education within the school
systems
◦ Diversity promotion within the family

23. Findings
 Verbal harassment versus physical violence
◦ Not that different
◦ Sense of self; identity; out
 Mental health concerns/PTSD
◦ Anxiety; depression; bi-polar
◦ PTSD
 Resiliency in survivors

24. Learning From Their Experiences
 Connecting with others
 Concrete supports
 Creating a sense of trust in service delivery

25. Recommendations
 Social work
◦ Beginning with education
◦ Continuing in training & professional development
 Medical & healthcare
◦ Education & training
◦ More inclusive, developed training & curriculum
◦ Use of community knowledge & expertise

26. Recommendations
 Policing
◦ Training
◦ Development of a more open & accepting work
environment
◦ Connection to community—Pride; Resource Centre;
Community events

27. Recommendations
 School systems
◦ Better policies & practices implemented for dealing with
verbal homophobia
◦ Development of a more open & accepting work
environment where staff can be out
◦ Freedom to discuss issues by school social
workers, teachers, guidance counsellors
◦ Development & support of GSA’s (Gay-Straight Alliances)
within school systems

28. Recommendations
 Our community
◦ Better responsiveness—blaming
◦ Better support
◦ Changing our reaction from normalization to
outrage
◦ Dialogue

29.  Thank you!
Chad Smith, MSW
Rainbow Resource Centre
170 Scott Street
Winnipeg, MB R3L 0L3
(204) 474-0212 extension 208
chads@rainbowresourcecentre.org