For many international adoptees growing up in Norway, the search for their own identity is a lifelong journey. When you also identify as queer, this journey becomes even more complex, and challenges that may already be demanding are amplified. Queer international adoptees often face a double struggle - a struggle to find their place in both Norwegian society and in queer communities, while trying to navigate their relationship with their culture of origin.
Being queer in itself means challenging norms and societal expectations, but for international adoptees it's also about understanding themselves in light of both ethnic and sexual identity. Many find that they are caught between several worlds without feeling a full sense of belonging to any of them. For example, it can be difficult to be fully accepted in queer communities dominated by white, ethnic Norwegian people, while also experiencing alienation from their culture of origin, where queerness can often be a taboo subject.
For example, many may feel different because of both ethnicity and sexuality. In queer spaces, they often encounter expectations that they should fit into stereotypical images of how queer people behave. At the same time, they feel distanced from their own culture, where being both adopted and queer is difficult to reconcile.
Representation plays a major role in the experience of belonging. Queer international adoptees often face a lack of visibility in both the media and in queer communities. This lack of representation can reinforce feelings of isolation and exclusion, and it's rare to see queer stories that reflect the complexity of being adopted from another country. At the same time, there are communities and organisations working to create safe spaces where queer international adoptees can share experiences and find support. At Queer World, we work to safeguard the rights and needs of queer people with minority backgrounds, and are one of the few organisations that actively focus on this group.
It's important that we create spaces where queer international adoptees can feel seen and heard
For many queer international adoptees, it's not just about finding acceptance for their sexuality or gender identity, but also about understanding their own cultural heritage and how it can be reconciled with their queer identity. Many adoptees find that they need to educate both themselves and those around them about the challenges they face, and there is a need for increased awareness of how adoption experiences can affect queer people.
"It's important that we create spaces where queer international adoptees can feel seen and heard," says Hanne Lyseth, Secretary General of Queer World, who is herself a queer woman adopted from Iran.
"For me, it was crucial to find a community where I could talk about the unique challenges I face, both in terms of my ethnic background and my sexuality."
It's time to recognise that identity is multidimensional and that queer international adoptees have a valuable place in the queer community in Norway.
In connection with this theme, we would also like to highlight a new research project led by Professor Lin Prøitz at Østfold University College: "A study of adoptees who violate gender and sexuality norms and their experiences of discrimination in general and sexualised discrimination in particular."
This is an important initiative that can contribute to increased understanding and awareness of the experiences of queer international adoptees, and we at Queer World very much welcome the focus on this group through research.
If you recognise yourself in the description and want to contribute with your experiences, we encourage you to participate. Participation is voluntary and anonymous, and involves an interview on your terms. You can find more information here in this information letter, or by contacting project manager Lin Prøitz directly (lin.proitz@hiof.no).
Queer international adoptees in Norway need a greater focus on their specific challenges and needs. It is crucial that queer organisations and communities become more inclusive and aware of how different identities overlap and influence each other. By highlighting the voices of queer international adoptees and creating safe arenas for their experiences, we can help to build a stronger and more diverse community.
It's time to recognise that identity is multidimensional and that queer international adoptees have a valuable place in the queer community in Norway. Their experiences help to broaden our understanding of what it means to be queer in a modern, diverse society.
