Introduction

The problem of LGBQIA-phobia has been extendedly reported as a problem that threatens the quality of life and well-being, particularly for trans and intersex individuals. Scientific evidence points at the high presence of this form of violence and discrimination during adolescence and youth, negatively affecting the prospects of the victims. At the same time, there is a lack of evidence on the role and potential impact of Youth Worker Networks involved in analysing gender-based violence and finding strategies to improve the situation of LGBTQIA+ youth.

Methods

This study has focussed on the reality of a network of youth workers through a mixed method approach belonging to a transnational project funded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Program (REC) of the European Commission. The implementation of 160 questionnaires and 5 semi-structured interviews in 2022 with the training participants provides evidence on the social impact that networking and evidence-based training may have in tackling LGBTQIA-phobia in youth environments.

Results

The findings of the current study show how the implementation of Youth Worker Networks can provide relevant results to achieve more respectful youth spaces toward diversity. The presence of traditional dominant masculinities together with the lack of quality training seem to be an important barrier for youth workers to fight against gender and sexual discrimination. In contrast, the professionals’ motivation and the group potential and support of the network appear to be a significant strength in overcoming forms of violence and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in youth contexts.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the role of youth workers, the quality of the training and environments are crucial in the work to identifying, preventing, and acting against any form of violence on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Policy Implications

Our findings point to the significant power of networks to overcome violence and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community. Our recommendation for achieving social impact is to provide evidence-based data and empower participants to become active upstanders against any form of violence or discrimination.

中文翻译：

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实施青年工人网络以实现消除 LGBTQIA 恐惧症的社会影响

介绍

LGBQIA 恐惧症问题已被广泛报道为威胁生活质量和福祉的问题，特别是对于跨性别者和双性者而言。科学证据表明，这种形式的暴力和歧视在青少年时期非常普遍，对受害者的前景产生了负面影响。与此同时，缺乏证据证明青年工人网络在分析性别暴力和寻找改善 LGBTQIA+ 青年处境的策略方面的作用和潜在影响。

方法

本研究通过属于欧盟委员会权利、平等和公民计划 (REC) 资助的跨国项目的混合方法，重点关注青年工人网络的现实。2022 年，对培训参与者实施了 160 份问卷和 5 次半结构化访谈，提供了网络和循证培训在解决青年环境中 LGBTQIA 恐惧症方面可能产生的社会影响的证据。

结果

本研究的结果表明，青年工人网络的实施如何能够提供相关成果，以实现更加尊重多元化的青年空间。传统男性主导地位的存在以及缺乏优质培训似乎是青年工人反对性别和性别歧视的重要障碍。相比之下，专业人士的动机、群体潜力以及网络的支持似乎是克服青少年中基于性取向、性别认同或性别表达的暴力和歧视形式的重要力量。

结论

结果表明，青年工作者的作用、培训质量和环境对于识别、预防和打击任何形式的基于性取向、性别认同或性别表达的暴力的工作至关重要。

政策影响

我们的研究结果表明，网络在克服针对 LGBTQIA+ 群体的暴力和歧视方面具有巨大力量。我们对实现社会影响的建议是提供基于证据的数据，并授权参与者成为反对任何形式的暴力或歧视的积极反对者。