Between the city and the country: Heterogeneous victimization experiences among LGBTI individuals

Abstract

The wide range of victimization experiences and life conditions of LGBTI individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex), far from being homogeneous, shows a significant geographical variation. Within countries and global regions, but even within provinces and smaller territories, unequal experiences have caught both academic and media attention, providing key concepts and insights. The disparities between European Union member states, for instance, have fuelled comparisons between Western and Eastern countries. Drawing from Spanish survey data on victimization experiences and life conditions of LGBTI individuals, this paper explores how said experiences relate to the respondents’ place of residence, within a rural–urban continuum. The chi-squared test of independence and the use of standardized residuals allows us to reject the apparent homogeneity of experiences among LGBTI individuals, as well as to distinguish between the specificities of each participant category along the spatial continuum. This paper argues for a nuanced perspective that prioritizes disparities and inequalities rather than commonalities, while also considering the shared system of oppression that informs said differences.