Participation Type
Poster
Presentation #1 Title
Living in Queer Country: An Analysis of Appalachian Queer Individuals
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
As a student of LGBTQ+ Studies and Sociology, one thing has come to my attention: the need for visibility and understanding of our LGBTQ+ Appalachians. As a Queer Appalachian myself, I grew up feeling like the only way to truly be happy was to leave my roots for a more urban setting. The rhetoric coming from media outlets and influential queer community members only recognizes individuals who uproot from their rural homes and move to urban centers like New York and San Francisco, but why can Appalachia not support the diversity that happens to thrive here?
My study is focused on collecting narratives of individuals from Appalachia, specifically West Virginia, who identify themselves as queer or questioning. Little research has been done in terms of Queer culture in Appalachia, so I think that it is vital to highlight and magnify the voices that are here and show positively what Appalachia has to offer to the World. There will be two methods of this research: conducting a video series collecting the narratives of Queer West Virginians and surveying students from my University who identify as LGBTQ+ and Appalachian. I will compare this data and share in hopes to identify how Appalachia can sustain and uplift these individuals. This research will positively impact Appalachia in all aspects, because diversity helps Appalachia to thrive.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
I am Joshua Stuart and I was born in raised in Philippi, West Virginia. Growing up gay in West Virginia was challenging but it instilled in me a culture that is full of respect, love, and resilience. I want to further the research and education of individuals in Appalachia who identify as queer and help integrate them into, sometimes otherwise, restrictive communities. I believe that education and visibility will help Appalachia thrive nationally and internationally.
Conference Subthemes
Diversity and Inclusion
Living in Queer Country: An Analysis of Appalachian Queer Individuals
As a student of LGBTQ+ Studies and Sociology, one thing has come to my attention: the need for visibility and understanding of our LGBTQ+ Appalachians. As a Queer Appalachian myself, I grew up feeling like the only way to truly be happy was to leave my roots for a more urban setting. The rhetoric coming from media outlets and influential queer community members only recognizes individuals who uproot from their rural homes and move to urban centers like New York and San Francisco, but why can Appalachia not support the diversity that happens to thrive here?
My study is focused on collecting narratives of individuals from Appalachia, specifically West Virginia, who identify themselves as queer or questioning. Little research has been done in terms of Queer culture in Appalachia, so I think that it is vital to highlight and magnify the voices that are here and show positively what Appalachia has to offer to the World. There will be two methods of this research: conducting a video series collecting the narratives of Queer West Virginians and surveying students from my University who identify as LGBTQ+ and Appalachian. I will compare this data and share in hopes to identify how Appalachia can sustain and uplift these individuals. This research will positively impact Appalachia in all aspects, because diversity helps Appalachia to thrive.
