The ZZZIP project: revealing the facts about LBG people in the Flemish population

Alexis Dewaele
(Steunpunt Gelijkekansenbeleid – Consortium Universiteit Antwerpen / Universiteit Hasselt)

&

Wim van den Berghe
(University of Ghent)

Abstract

Zzzip is a large scale quantitative research project conducted in Flanders and aimed at collecting general information about the LGB (Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual) Flemish population. About 3000 LGB’s were questioned about their identity, feelings of belonging to a minority, social support, their social networks and much more… This is the second time that such a large scale project was realised in Flanders but this time we used an innovative methodology combined with an elaborate promotion campaign to try to reach as many LGB’s as possible. Some of the most striking results point out significant problems of LGB’s within their work environment, the vulnerability of young lesbians and bisexual girls, and the elaborate friendship networks of LGB’s (also referred to as their families of choice). Several policy recommendations have been made in order to sustain a policy of equal opportunities targeted at this minority group.

Bio/Bibliographies

Alexis Dewaele has a master in psychology and works for the Policy Research Center on Equal Opportunities (University of Antwerp – University of Hasselt) within the ‘sexual preference’ research unit. His main research interests are (sexual) identities, social networks and equal opportunities. A selection of some of his recent publications:

• Dewaele, Alexis (2006). ‘Holebi’s en hun families: een kritische reflectie op vriendschap en andere bloedbanden’ [LGB’s and their families: a critical reflection on friendship and other blood ties]. In: Godemont, Jozefien, Steegmans, Nico, Goyvaerts, Karin, Lenaers, Steven, & Spee, Sonja (eds.), Jaarboek 3 Steunpunt Gelijkekansenbeleid UA-UHasselt. Antwerpen: Garant, pp. 243-260.
• Dewaele, Alexis, Herbrand, Cathy & Paternotte, David (2005). Etudes gayes et lesbiennes / holebistudies: état des savoirs critique et regards croisés entre la Flandre et la Communauté française de Belgique, in Debunne, Sandrine & S’Jegers, Sara (eds.). Genderstudies / een genre apart? - Savoirs de genre / quel genre de savoir? Acten van het Sophia colloquium, Bruxelles: Sophia, 154 - 171.

Wim van den Berghe owns a master in sociology and works for the University of Ghent (department of sociology). As a researcher he worked for two years on the Zzzip project. As a Phd student he is now working on the subject off hiv risk with Men who have Sex with Men (MSM).

• Vincke, John, Dewaele, Alexis, Van den Berghe, Wim & Cox, Nele (2006). Zzzip – een statistisch onderzoek met het oog op het verzamelen van basismateriaal over de doelgroep holebi’s. Gent: Ugent – Steunpunt Gelijkekansenbeleid (UA –UHasselt), in opdracht van het Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap, Gelijke Kansen in Vlaanderen.

Abstract

Zzzip is a large scale quantitative research project conducted in Flanders and aimed at collecting general information about the LGB (Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual) Flemish population. About 3000 LGB’s were questioned about their identity, feelings of belonging to a minority, social support, their social networks and much more… This is the second time that such a large scale project was realised in Flanders but this time we used an innovative methodology combined with an elaborate promotion campaign to try to reach as many LGB’s as possible. Some of the most striking results point out significant problems of LGB’s within their work environment, the vulnerability of young lesbians and bisexual girls, and the elaborate friendship networks of LGB’s (also referred to as their families of choice). Several policy recommendations have been made in order to sustain a policy of equal opportunities targeted at this minority group.

Bio/Bibliographies

Alexis Dewaele has a master in psychology and works for the Policy Research Center on Equal Opportunities (University of Antwerp – University of Hasselt) within the ‘sexual preference’ research unit. His main research interests are (sexual) identities, social networks and equal opportunities. A selection of some of his recent publications:

• Dewaele, Alexis (2006). ‘Holebi’s en hun families: een kritische reflectie op vriendschap en andere bloedbanden’ [LGB’s and their families: a critical reflection on friendship and other blood ties]. In: Godemont, Jozefien, Steegmans, Nico, Goyvaerts, Karin, Lenaers, Steven, & Spee, Sonja (eds.), Jaarboek 3 Steunpunt Gelijkekansenbeleid UA-UHasselt. Antwerpen: Garant, pp. 243-260.
• Dewaele, Alexis, Herbrand, Cathy & Paternotte, David (2005). Etudes gayes et lesbiennes / holebistudies: état des savoirs critique et regards croisés entre la Flandre et la Communauté française de Belgique, in Debunne, Sandrine & S’Jegers, Sara (eds.). Genderstudies / een genre apart? - Savoirs de genre / quel genre de savoir? Acten van het Sophia colloquium, Bruxelles: Sophia, 154 - 171.

Wim van den Berghe owns a master in sociology and works for the University of Ghent (department of sociology). As a researcher he worked for two years on the Zzzip project. As a Phd student he is now working on the subject off hiv risk with Men who have Sex with Men (MSM).

• Vincke, John, Dewaele, Alexis, Van den Berghe, Wim & Cox, Nele (2006). Zzzip – een statistisch onderzoek met het oog op het verzamelen van basismateriaal over de doelgroep holebi’s. Gent: Ugent – Steunpunt Gelijkekansenbeleid (UA –UHasselt), in opdracht van het Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap, Gelijke Kansen in Vlaanderen.