Nonmetropolitan sexual and gender minority youths' friendships: Perceptions of social support among SGM and non-SGM peers

ABSTRACT

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth are at risk of victimization which can lead to poor outcomes. Social support can mitigate the effects of minority stressors, yet little is known about social support among nonmetropolitan SGM youth. This study utilized minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003) and Weeks' (1996) theory of how sexual minority communities are constructed to understand how nonmetropolitan SGM youth perceive the support they receive from SGM and non-SGM friends. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nonmetropolitan SGM youth. Youth received general emotional support, relationship advice, and protection from SGM and non-SGM friends. From their SGM friends, participants reported receiving greater closeness and emotional intimacy and assistance with SGM identity development. Participants indicated that receiving acceptance for their SGM identity was important from their non-SGM friends. Participants also discussed the limits to support their non-SGM friends could offer. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• SGM youth
• social support
• nonmetropolitan
• friendships
• minority stress

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the first author's dissertation committee members for their assistance: Janet Liechty, Ramona F. Oswald, Benjamin Lough, Jennifer Greene, and Shelley Craig. The authors also wish to thank the participants for their time and sharing their experiences.

Funding

This study was part of a larger study funded by a small research grant from the Williams Institute. Additional funding was received by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate College and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.