Non-Normative Gender and Sexual Identities in Schools: - Schools Out

Focus Group ~ Lesbian and Gay Youth
Manchester (LGYM) 17/06/08
Participants* ~ age, self identified gender and sexual identities:
Helen (H), 16 female, lesbian
Becky (B), 16, female, lesbian
Von (V), 18 female, lesbian
Matt**, 19 male, gay
Ushihu (U), 19, Male, bisexual
Sarah**, 19, female, lesbian
Daniel (D), 21, male, straight
Nicola (N), 17, female, lesbian
Wolfy (W), 15, female, lesbian
Tanya (T), 15, female, lesbian
Carol**, 20, female, lesbian
* All names have been changed and references to other people have been blacked out to
protect identities. On page 26 the conversation between Wolfy, Tanya and Nicola
included male and female ‘versions’ on the trans persons name that they are talking
about.
* * These participants did not speak during the session.
Key:
AM: Interviewer (Amy MacMillan)
[//] indicates a noticeable pause in speech
... indicates break in/continuous of speech due to interruption by another speaker
{ } words spoken over previous speaker
{ speech interrupted and cut off another speaker
( ) description of sounds/actions within/between speech
Italics indicates the speaker is imitating another person with their speech
! word/sentence exclaimed with emphasis or irony
, normal pause in sentence
. normal end of sentence
Transcript:
AM: Ok, we’re recording. So thank you very much everybody for coming to meet with
me today. If I could ask that when you answer the questions, do try and speak clearly and
as loudly as possible. I will try to get your names right, but do correct me if I get them
wrong. Ok, we are going to start with your general experiences at school. So can you