Emily Hahn

Professor Orta

Critical Thinking 126

22 November 2018

Expression in the LGBTQ Community

In the research report, “London Identities,” published in April 2018, authors Nicolas

Bosetti and Tom Colthrope investigate the identities accompanying the city of London and how

one is classified as a Londoner. With more research done on national identities, this piece aims

to fill the gap of knowledge for diversity and what makes one relate to the city. In order to

unearth what makes a person identify with London, the authors must explore what and how

people connect with the city. The authors study the concepts of the local area, ethnicity, sexual

orientation, and class to convey the message of variety in London. Although the authors try not

to input their personal voice in the report, it is clear that certain areas are researched more

than others. There is undoubtedly an absence of energy to define the welcoming multinational

culture.

Looking specifically at both Bosetti and Colthrope’s use of rhetorical devices enables one

to understand the gravity of this issue. The use of logos in this piece is important given that this

report is based off of proficiency. It is necessary that the authors are well educated about

identifying diversity in a city. The authors provide both solid and definite evidence to enforce

the point that “Ethnicity and religion are stronger elements of identity than locality in the UK”

(Bosetti and Colthrope). It is clear that ethnicity is well reported throughout the essay and, in

the authors eyes, this defines diversity.

 While hard evidence is important to an arguments development, credibility plays an

important role in persuading the reader. The authors use a trustworthy source to attract

readers when they state “According to poll data, the proportion of Londoners who were born in

London decreased from 58 per cent in 1997… to 25-32 per cent today” (Bosetti and Colthrope).

Appealing to one’s emotions plays an important role throughout the report. This act of

persuasion promotes the authors use of propaganda. The authors try to strike a feeling of

worrying when stating, “Wealth inequality has deepened; Londoners on modest and middle

incomes have seen living costs rise faster than earnings. Poverty remains stubbornly high”

(Bosetti and Colthrope). There is an apparent struggle for the living class to try and survive. This

draws out the idea of the amount of overturn the city is witnessing with a population that

cannot afford to survive. This creates an opportunity for more people to come add to the

revolving cosmopolitan city.

Bosetti and Colthrope include a lengthy and detailed section labeled “Ethnicity,” and

throughout the report they incorporate numerous different surveys, graphs, and statistics on

this specific topic. The authors sprinkle propaganda about race throughout their argument to

attest that it plays an imperative function in molding identity. The authors claim that “ethnicity

generally has greater salience than place in shaping identity” (Bosetti and Colthrope). London’s

identity is contended off it being a melting pot of people with different ethnic backgrounds

from all of over the world. White British people, Bosetti and Colthrope comment, are pushed

out by ethnic minorities because they do not like diversity in their culture. This creates more

space for more diversity since more and more of London’s original inhabitants are moving out.

People who are not white prefer areas that are more diverse because there tends to be less
prejudice. There is a massive amount of research and study done on ethnicity because it is

believed to be the main focus for defining diversity. However, there is much more to be

unraveled about a person than just their race to determine how they identify with their

surroundings.

Bosetti and Colthrope bring forth valid points about ethnicity and class when aiming to

define someone as a Londoner; however, they fail to grasp that there are other important

concepts that should be better researched to define diversity in a society. Each individual in

London is unique and has something that sets them apart from the rest. To live in a diverse

community is to explore and accept the distinctions of others in an optimistic setting. The

authors state, “seeking to rigidly define and strengthen London identities from the top-down

risks being counter-productive and widening gaps between London” (Bosetti and Colthrope).

This statement is oxymoronic because their argument is regarding how diverse London is and

they choose to not elaborate on what actually makes it diverse. Instead, concepts that appeal

to the writers, such as ethnicity, are chosen to further their point on diversity in the city.

There is a lack of programming among the other topics discussed in the report,

specifically about the LGBTQ community. LGBTQ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

Transgender, and Queer or Questioning. It is appalling that the authors only give the LGBTQ a

small paragraph constructed of a few sentences made up of assumptions about the community

rather facts. There are no charts, diagrams, or extensive explorations done to recognize how

the community identifies with being a Londoner. Compared to other sections of the report,

which are very in depth and give detailed evidence for the specific subjects, analysis on the

LGBTQ community is lacking. The authors admit that there has been “very little research on
whether queer Londoners identify differently with their city” (Bosetti and Colthrope). Why has

there not been further investigation about how ones’ sexual orientation relates them to the

place they live? Do those of the LGBTQ community feel a lack of belonging? This community

and any research about how they relate to their surrounding was noticeably left out of the

report. Given that this is what makes someone unique, it is important to better understand the

LGBTQ group.

I decided to dive directly into the LGBTQ community and check out a local London bar

called Heaven. I walked up to the bar and ordered a drink and noticed that everyone around me

was excessively cheerful. Perhaps because they felt free to be who they are and express

themselves. I began talking with a group of women that identified themselves as lesbians. Being

that this was my first time at a bar like this, I was a little nervous. However, there is nothing

liquid courage cannot fix. Stephanie and Lindsey had been dating for a little over two years and

are engaged to be married in the summer of 2019. Stephanie is originally from London, but

Lindsey moved from New York to London a little over four years ago for a job opportunity. As

the conversations got deeper, Stephanie told me about her hard upbringing because she

identified as a Lesbian. Her parents were very catholic, the kind that go to church every Sunday

and pray multiple times a day; they had been married for over forty years. Stephanie had

known since her young teenage years that she was not straight; however, she lived in fear of

her parent’s rejection. She related to me that “there is a lot of prejudice and misunderstanding

around the LGBTQ+ community. It’s sad because many young teens who do not have accepting

parents are forced outside of their families and churches.” Lindsey quickly interrupted and

added how many suicides and homelessness is caused from this. This was very eye-opening to
hear first-hand because this is often a conversation that is not discussed. If there is more

programming to better understand this community, it would help others on the outside have a

better understanding.

If more inquiry is completed on the LGBTQ+ community, it could benefit the city of

London by increasing acceptance of this diverse group. By creating an outsourcing of

information to acknowledge and further understand the group it, in return, could prevent the

amount of suicides amongst the group. Author John G. Taylor in “Dying for Acceptance: Suicide

Rates in the LGBTQ Community” discusses the alarming rate of suicides amongst the LGBTQ

youth aged 15-25. Although this matter may seem dark and twisted, it is important to

understand why so many lives are taken simply because people are not accepted for who they.

A devastating “500,000 LGBTQ youth attempt suicide every year” and “5,000 LGBTQ youth now

take their lives each year” (Taylor). The deprivation of programming for this community only

increases these numbers.

It is important to discover ways to help by creating an instructional program to learn

more about the LGBTQ community. In London there is currently a project in place titled the

London LGBTQ Community Centre. It is promoted as a protected space that inspires a sense of

security and encourages people to lay down their roots. This space is a nonprofit and includes a

café, social center, workspace room, and clinic with a psychotherapist. By reaching out to the

LGBTQ community and creating a safe space, it encourages them to stand up and speak about

what makes them diverse.

In the article, “College Students’ Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Participation

in Study Abroad,” published in 2015, authors Kelly M. Bryant and Krista M. Soria host a survey
among undergraduates throughout eight different public universities and 213,160 students. This

survey serves the purpose of understanding how sexual orientation correlates with studying

abroad. Over the last two decades studying abroad has “more than tripled” so it is important to

understand what specific groups of students are attracted to studying in a foreign place (1). Due

to misunderstanding and the fear of rejection, the LGBTQ community has a hard time expressing

their sexual orientation in their everyday environment. Interestingly, “participating in study

abroad may help students with the two processes of developing a personal Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual

identity status and developing a Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual social identity” (10). When studying

abroad in a convivial culture it promotes self-expression. Those in the LGBTQ community are

more likely to express how they are feeling on the inside because there is a lesser chance of

rejection.

Similarly, The London LGBTQ Community Centre strives to foster a safe space for those

part of the community regardless of their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual

orientation. Sadly, for many of the LGBTQ community where they grew up does not feel like

home. It may seem like loneliness and isolation go hand in hand with the LGBTQ experience.

With this being said, the target of this Centre is to construct a space that those of the community

had wished that they had growing up. A LGBTQ community Centre like this creates possibilities

to meet new people and share experiences. This encourages those of the community to be who

they truly are with no anxiety and reluctances.

The location of a study abroad program is very imperative because the surrounding

environment needs to promote identity exploration. Resourcing for the LGBTQ community on

their home campus is very vital so that norms of other cultures can be analyzed when selecting
a study abroad location. This would help ensure that an LGBTQ has a successful and enjoyable

abroad experience.

Having lived in London for almost three months now, my eyes have been opened to how

distinct the city is with its vastly different characteristics and identities that every individual

possess. It is very ostensible that London has branded itself as a cosmopolitan city. For an

LGBTQ student this may seem like an ideal city to express who they are. Countless “LGBTQ

students face challenges many of their peers do not normally have to confront” (6). This

includes discrimination from family or friends and could promote caution of any further identity

expression. A study abroad program may make it easier for an LGBTQ student to explore their

sexual identity however; one may be sobered by the idea of going back home to the same

judgements. Centre’s such as the London LGBTQ Community help tackle issues such as;

assisting parents struggling with accepting their Queer child. This space stimulates life changing

conversations and creates a focus for the community to congregate.

My experience studying abroad through American River Community College has helped

me grow and discover who I am. This is the first time I have ever lived on my own and I have

acquired a new sense of independence. Not only has it given me a new sense of liberation but

also, it has changed the way I view education.

Interestingly, in the article “Study Abroad: A Lifetime of Benefits” authors Amy Ruhter

McMillan and Gayly Opem explore the intercultural, professional, and personal long-term

effects that study abroad has had on students. When I first started attending community college

I only wanted to receive my bachelor’s degree at most. I have developed a sophisticated way of

viewing the world which in return, has struck a fire in me to seek out higher education and an
interest in lifelong learning. McMilan and Opem conducted a survey from study abroad study

and found that “Over 97 percent said the experience enabled them to learn something new about

themselves and served as a catalyst for increased maturity” (5). A study abroad experience

allows one to identify their own cultural interpretations and preconceptions. This recognition will

allow me to navigate with confidence across different cultures.

 Work Cited

Bosetti, Nicolas. Colthorpe, Tom. Identities. London Essays: Reports, The Centre for

London, 18 April 2018. centreforlondon.org/publication/london-identities/

Bryant, M. Kelly, and Soria M. Krista. “College Students’ Sexual Orientation, Gender

Identity, and Participation in Study Abroad.” Sexual Identity. Feb. 2015, Diablo Valley Online

Library

“London LGBTQ Community Centre.” London LGBTQ Community Centre,

https://londonlgbtqcentre.org/the-project

McMillian Ruhter, Amy and Opem Gayly. “Study Abroad: A Lifetime of Benefits.” IES

Abroad, Mar. 2002, https://www.iesabroad.org/news/study-abroad-lifetime-

benefits#sthash.vsjoJVLp.dpbs. Accessed Nov. 18 2018

Taylor G. John, “Dying for Acceptance: Suicide Rates in the LGBTQ Community”

Psychology Today. Published 19 Mar 2013. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-

reality-corner/201303/dying-acceptance-suicide-rates-in-the-lgbtq-community. Accessed 9 Nov

2018.