Queer Youth’s Freedom Dreaming and Resistance Through Youth Participatory Action Research

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 1:15 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Collaborative and Participatory Qualitative Methodologies (Table 17)

Abstract

Queer youth often experience marginalization in home, school, and community spaces, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and hostility is on the rise. In response to these dangerous trends, we launched a youth participatory action research (YPAR) program at our local LGBT Center in 2022. In the program, 10 queer, high school-aged, youth with diverse identities have come together to research various topics related to educational and health equity and to disrupt the oppressive dynamics in our local and national socio-political milieu. In this presentation, two adult facilitators and three youth researchers will explore the following question: What roles does YPAR play in facilitating intersectional freedom dreaming, resistance, and activism?

Authors

• Katherine Clonan-Roy, Cleveland State University

• Shereen Naser, Cleveland State University

• Elijah McLaughlin

• Isabella Mitchell, Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough

• Carter Porter