Australian researchers have launched a survey investigating the ongoing impacts of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake on lgbti New Zealanders. The survey is part of an Australian Research Council funded project being undertaken by researchers at the University of Western Sydney and the University of Sydney. Take the survey here Damage to the original Menfriends, a gay Christchurch venue. This larger project is looking at the impacts of disasters on lgbti people in New Zealand and Australia, including the Brisbane flooding in 2011 and Blue Mountains bushfires in 2013. “The research that has been done suggests that the marginality and discrimination experienced by lgbti people in everyday life feeds into how they will experience a disaster,” says University of Western Sydney Postdoctoral Research Fellow Scott McKinnon. “Research in various global sites has found a range of difficulties, including discrimination in emergency evacuation shelters, exclusion from post-disaster support services, concerns about access to support from faith-based charity groups and abuse and violence impacting on people’s ability to find safety and security.” McKinnon says research to date has also found positive stories of lgbti individuals receiving support and care without discrimination in very affirming ways. “Several people participating in the project have, however, stated that it was a positive experience to share their stories, given that very little of their lives and experiences were found in the mainstream reporting of the disaster.” He says they want to think about ways in which lgbti populations may be better supported in future disaster events, and to give lgbti people an opportunity to share their experiences. The research team is asking people aged over 18 who identify as lgbti, whose home or business were impacted by the February Christchurch earthquake, to take part in a 15 minute survey here The researchers will also be conducting in-person interviews in New Zealand.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 15th April 2015 - 11:35am