Social Connectedness Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Parents Living in Metropolitan and Regional and Rural Areas of Australia and New Zealand

This article explores lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) parents’ sense of connection to their families, friends, and communities. The study compares LGBT parents who live in inner metropolitan areas with those living in outer metropolitan and regional and rural areas. We also look at experiences of discrimination and being out about sexuality in various community settings. Data for this article were drawn from the Work, Love, Play study of 455 Australian or New Zealand LGBT parents. Over half the participants lived in outer metropolitan or regional and rural areas. Parents living in outer metropolitan or regional and rural areas were less likely than those living in the inner city to feel connected to their local community or to be out in community settings, while also having less contact with the LGBT community. Their children were also more likely to experience homophobic bullying or discrimination at school.