Meanings attributed to affectivity and experience of sexuality by LGBT school youths

Abstract

This is a study on the narratives of young students self-identified as part of social segments of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (LGBT), who acted as protagonists in projects to promote health and defend human rights in school contexts. The study used qualitative methodological strategies, such as recording the participants’ life history and in-depth interviews, aiming to understand the meanings attributed to actions developed in the projects and to aspects of their life experiences. For three months and in different settings, a trans woman, a cis gay man and a cis lesbian woman participated in the interviews, sharing their life experience. This article contemplates four central categories identified in the narratives: identities and diversity, map of violence, affective-sexual experiences of young LGBT students and health promotion of young LGBT people in the school setting. The violence described shows physical, psychological, sexual aspects, as well as neglect and abandonment. Discrimination in the family and at school scenarios emerged as a mark of suffering. We concluded that sexuality and human rights education projects in schools can be considered an opportunity for knowledge and exchange between peers, allowing for a more humane and protective experience of the affectivity and sexuality of young LGBT people. Atlas Ti version 8 supported the data processing and codification.

Keywords:
Sexuality; Human Rights