Violence against queer students: Experiences of black lesbian students at a technical and vocational education and training college

Abstract

There is an apparent dearth of research on the experiences of black lesbian students in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, especially regarding their academic success and social interactions. This study therefore aimed to bridge the knowledge gap by examining the experiences of six black lesbian students at a TVET college in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. By pursuing a decolonial feminist perspective, the research focused on the legacy of colonial and apartheid effects in a TVET college. This qualitative study elicited data through narrative interviewing and photovoice techniques. Data analysis combined both visual narrative analysis and analysis of the narratives. The participants reported that they experienced sexual, emotional, physical and verbal violence while studying at the TVET college. It is recommended that the government integrate intentional and consistent interventions into higher education spaces in order to support the psychological, emotional and social well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+) in students.