Transglobal Queer Identities: Queer International Students in Small Canadian Cities

• In Event: Research In Progress Roundtables Session 4
  In Invited Roundtable: LGBTQ Studies in Education Research: Inclusion, Identity, Gender Normativity, and Housing Insecurity (Table 8)

Abstract

This research explores the experiences of queer international students in small Canadian cities, focusing on how their intersecting identities (such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and nationality) shape their academic and social lives. By employing an intersectionality framework (Crenshaw, 1989) and identity management theory (Imahori & Cupach, 2005), the study examines the compounded challenges these students face, including discrimination, isolation, and lack of support. Through narrative inquiry, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with queer international students to capture their lived experiences. This research aims to contribute to understanding how queer identity intersects with international student status, highlighting the unique barriers in smaller cities, and advocating for more inclusive policies and support systems within Canadian universities, with broader implications for Western countries.

Author

• Mohit Dudeja, Lakehead University