Stojanovski K, Igonya E K, Gutabarwa L T, Otukpa E, Mutuku E, Ushie B A
Department of Social, Behavioral and Population Sciences, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA USA.
African Population Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
Sex Res Social Policy. 2025;22(1):108-121. doi: 10.1007/s13178-024-01026-y. Epub 2024 Aug 20.
The multidimensionality of stigma that LGBT people experience globally necessitates research to explore the processes at work. The study aimed to quantify the level of othering and explore the process of LGBT othering in Rwanda.
We conducted a sequential cross-sectional mixed-methods study of LGBT lived experiences in Rwanda. We recruited 499 participants to complete the LGBT-specific survey and 1254 for the non-LGBT survey. We conducted 16 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with non-LGBT participants. For LGBT participants, we completed six focus groups with 59 participants, six in-depth interviews, and three digital storytelling interviews. For the quantitative surveys, we conducted multivariable linear regressions and reported beta coefficients and 95% confidence interval estimates examining LGBT discrimination (LGBT survey) and attitudes toward LGBT (non-LGBT survey). We used deductive and inductive thematic and narrative analysis to analyze the qualitative data.
In adjusted analyses of the non-LGBT survey, as compared to those who knew zero LGBT persons, persons who knew more than five had lower negative attitude scores (β = - 1.3, 95% CI - 2.2, - 0.5), while the score was lower for those that knew one to five (- 0.2), it was not significant (95% CI - 0.8, 0.5). In the LGBT survey, adjusted analyses indicated that there was no significant difference found in discrimination between bisexual, gay, or lesbian participants. However, as compared to cisgender participants, transgender participants had discrimination scores that were 2.1 points higher (95% CI 1.1, 3.0), and gender non-confirming individuals had scores that were one point higher (95% CI 0.2, 1.9). The qualitative findings showcased how societal "othering" occurs in the everyday life of LGBT Rwandans, with large ramifications in creating feelings of isolation and hampering one's capacity to live authentically and with dignity.
The findings from our study indicate a high level of othering of the LGBT community across multiple domains, including housing, employment, healthcare, education, religion, and family within Rwanda.
The findings highlight the importance of social education campaigns about LGBT people, particularly among vital societal role-holders, including healthcare providers and educators. Integrating the rich historical and indigenous culture related to LGBT could be successful in combating anti-West rhetoric.
全球范围内， LGBT群体所经历的耻辱感具有多维度性，因此有必要开展研究来探索其中起作用的过程。本研究旨在量化 “他者化” 程度，并探究卢旺达LGBT群体被 “他者化” 的过程。
我们对卢旺达LGBT群体的生活经历进行了一项序贯横断面混合方法研究。我们招募了499名参与者来完成针对LGBT群体的调查，以及1254名参与者来完成非LGBT群体的调查。我们对非LGBT群体的参与者进行了16次深入访谈（IDI）。对于LGBT群体的参与者，我们完成了6个焦点小组讨论（共59名参与者）、6次深入访谈以及3次数字故事访谈。对于定量调查，我们进行了多变量线性回归，并报告了β系数和95%置信区间估计值，以检验LGBT群体歧视情况（LGBT群体调查）以及对LGBT群体的态度（非LGBT群体调查）。我们使用演绎和归纳主题及叙事分析来分析定性数据。
在对非LGBT群体调查的调整分析中，与那些认识零名LGBT群体的人相比，认识超过五名LGBT群体的人的负面态度得分较低（β = -1.3，95%置信区间 -2.2，-0.5），而认识一至五名LGBT群体的人的得分较低（-0.2），但不显著（95%置信区间 -0.8，0.5）。在LGBT群体调查中，调整分析表明，双性恋、男同性恋或女同性恋参与者之间在歧视方面没有显著差异。然而，与顺性别参与者相比，跨性别参与者的歧视得分高2.1分（95%置信区间 1.1，3.0），性别认同不一致的个体得分高1分（95%置信区间 0.2，1.9）。定性研究结果展示了卢旺达LGBT群体的日常生活中社会 “他者化” 是如何发生的，这在造成孤立感以及阻碍一个人真实且有尊严地生活方面产生了重大影响。
我们的研究结果表明，在卢旺达，LGBT群体在住房、就业、医疗保健、教育、宗教和家庭等多个领域都存在高度的 “他者化”。
研究结果凸显了开展关于LGBT群体的社会教育活动的重要性，尤其是在包括医疗保健提供者和教育工作者在内的重要社会角色群体中。整合与LGBT群体相关的丰富历史和本土文化可能有助于对抗反西方言论。
