Sexual orientation and migration intentions among rural, exurban and urban adolescents in Iceland

Abstract

Rural areas have often been assumed to be somewhat hostile territory for sexual minorities. As a result, moving to an urban area may be an integral part of “coming out” for those living in a rural area. However, surprisingly few quantitative studies have examined the level of rural-to-urban migration intent among sexual minorities. In this study, we examined the migration expectations of adolescents in Iceland, a country characterised by a heavy urban concentration and a scattered rural population, strong international ties and comparatively high levels of formal rights and public acceptance of sexual minorities. Based on a population sample of 2,858 students aged 15–16 years, we found no evidence of greater overall migration expectations among rural or exurban lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning (LGBQ) youth than their urban counterparts. However, while urban LGBQ youth were more likely to move abroad, young people in other areas are more likely to move domestically. The results are discussed in the context of prior studies of sexual minorities in rural areas and migration expectations among rural youth.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• youth
• sexual orientation
• migration
• Iceland

Acknowledgements

We thank the young people who participated in the 2010 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey and colleagues at HBSC who helped with data gathering and making the HBSC surveys a reality. This study forms a part of the research project Mobility and Stability in Iceland funded by the Icelandic Regional Development Institute. Finally, we thank four anonymous reviewers for their insightful and constructive suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The authors would like to thank an anynomous reviewer for this suggestion.