Karen Fredriksen Goldsen, professor of Social Work at University of Washington, and Brian de Vries, professor emeritus of Gerontology at SFSU, recently guest edited a groundbreaking special issue of the Journal of Sexuality Research and Social Policy published by Springer Nature: Global Pride.
The issue, published in June, features 15 papers from the international research collaboration, spearheaded by Fredriksen Goldsen and de Vries, spanning 19 countries and six world regions and over 45 researchers committed to advancing culturally grounded research on sexuality and gender diversity. Across countries and cultures, the research reveals several common themes, including persistent inequities; the importance of social support; significant diversity within sexual and gender diverse communities across culture, race and ethnicity; and social location, resilience across the life course and the need for better data. The special issue highlights how historical and contemporary social forces — from colonial legacies and religious influences to legal protections and public policy — continue to shape everyday experiences around the globe. Importantly, several international collaborators faced significant barriers and risks in conducting this research, underscoring the continuing importance of protecting both researchers and participants engaged in sexuality and gender research worldwide.
The Global Pride Study offers a roadmap for future research, policy and practice, emphasizing the need for evidence-informed approaches that address structural inequities, particularly during a period when debates about gender, sexuality and human rights are intensifying globally, while building on the strengths and resilience already present within communities.