This thesis explores the experiences of violence against queer men, with a particular focus on sexual violence. Violence against members of the LGBTQIA+ community is often socially overlooked and normalized, while experiences of (sexual) violence among queer men frequently remain unaddressed and unreported due to stigma, shame, and a lack of adequate support and can have a lasting effect on mental health. The theoretical framework consists of three main chapters: the social construction of masculinity, an overview of existing research on (sexual) violence against queer men, and a critical discussion of the inadequate recognition and treatment of violence against queer men.
The study is qualitative, exploratory, and empirical. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews covering five areas: the role of queer individuals in society, perceptions of violence in society, personal experiences with violence and sources of help and support. Eight queer men between the ages of 20 and 30 participated in the study, two of whom were from abroad. I used non-probability convenience sample, as participants were recruited from my broader social environment.
The results show that young queer men recognize cisheteronormativity as the dominant social norm from an early age, with their awareness of their social position often shaped through experiences of homophobia, peer violence, and sexual harassment. In adulthood, they frequently continue to experience distrust, restraint, and stigmatization due to their sexual orientation.
The participants reported numerous experiences of different forms of violence, both outside and within the queer community. In addition to discrimination in broader society, they also encounter exclusion within queer community, where narrow ideals of appearance and masculinity often prevail. All participants reported at least one experience of sexual violence or sexual harassment, although the forms of these experiences varied in terms of coercion, violations of personal boundaries, and other types of abusive behavior. The most common experiences involved manipulation and pressure to engage in sexual relationships and/or sexual practices to which they had not consented. These incidents occurred both within romantic relationships and in casual sexual encounters associated with hookup culture. Several participants described their first sexual experiences during adolescence with older men. Although they did not explicitly define these experiences as violence, they often referred to them as unpleasant experiences.
When coping with the consequences of (sexual) violence, participants most commonly relied on the support of friends. Most had also sought professional help and counseling from psychotherapists and healthcare institutions; however, they generally considered the support inadequate due to a lack of competence in working with queer population. For more effective support, participants emphasized the importance of safe spaces, professional training, experiences in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, and active listening. The study also reveals a surprisingly low level of trust and awareness in non-governmental organizations, which further complicates access to effective forms of support and assistance.
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