Karolína Tajovská, ‘Surviving Trauma: Queer Lives in Iran and the Psychological Impact of Forced Migration’, NQIfFM, Brighton, 2025

Excerpt

Existing research consistently demonstrates significant disparities in mental health between queer and heterosexual youth, with queer individuals experiencing markedly higher rates of suicidality and depressive symptoms (Kabir & Brinsworth, 2021; Kelleher, 2009; Marshal et al., 2011; Pitoňák et al., 2024). These disparities are often shaped by negative experiences, including discrimination, victimization, and societal exclusion. This blog post aims to analyse the specific traumatic factors faced by queer individuals in Iran, drawing on anonymous testimonies gathered through semi-structured interviews.