Civic Engagement and Loneliness in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer+ Australian Volunteers

• Published in: Australian social work 2023-10, Vol.76 (4), p.575-588
• Main Authors: Gates, Trevor G., Hughes, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activism; Bisexuality; Citizen participation; Civic; Civil society; Communities; Community; Community organizations; Engagement; Gays & lesbians; Gender; Homosexuality; Intersexuality; Lesbianism; LGBTIQ; LGBTQ people; Loneliness; Political participation; Psychological aspects; Psychology; Sense of community; Sexual minorities; Sexual orientation; Sexuality; Social service; Social Work; Social workers; Transgender people; Transgender persons; Volunteerism; Volunteers; Well being
• ISSN: 0312-407X; 1447-0748
• DOI: 10.1080/0312407X.2021.1899256

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) people in Australia are actively engaged in civic life, contributing volunteer service to various political, activist, and community organisations. Although there is emerging evidence that civic engagement contributes to the health and wellbeing of the general population, information about how volunteerism contributes to LGBTIQ+ community wellbeing has only recently emerged. We used a prospective cross-sectional design to investigate responsibility for civic engagement, sense of community, and loneliness among a convenience sample of LGBTIQ+ volunteers (N = 195). Findings were that volunteers reported a consistent and high degree of community engagement and a strong sense of attachment to the Australian LGBTIQ+ community. A higher-than-expected degree of loneliness was reported in this sample of volunteers, and it was notable that being transgender or gender diverse was a significant predictor of loneliness. This highlights the importance of loneliness among transgender and gender diverse people and the value of discerning differences between groups in the LGBTIQ+ community. IMPLICATIONS Social workers must be mindful that, despite being connected to communities and demonstrating civic engagement, certain LGBTIQ+ volunteers could be at risk of loneliness. The higher rate of loneliness among transgender and gender diverse volunteers indicates a need for LGBTIQ+-affirming organisations to develop particular strategies to address isolation and loneliness among this group.