Navigating resilience

Abstract

This study explores the complex dynamics of resilience among LGBTQ+ youth in post-colonial Namibia, focusing on navigating socio-cultural and legal systems marked by contestation and prejudice. By employing a multisystemic perspective grounded in ecological systems theory, this research examines the relationships between individual, structural, and familial factors that shape resilience. Drawing on several definitions of resilience, it considers resilience as both a response to significant adversity as well as a process of positive adaptation. Namibia’s post-colonial context, with its heteronormative societal norms and contested legal frameworks, presents unique challenges for LGBTQ+ individuals, exacerbated by historical colonial legacies and ongoing anti-queer sentiments. Using a social-ecological lens, the study investigates the role of intersecting social spheres—familial, structural, and community-based in either fostering or hindering resilience. It also critically engages with concepts such as sexual minority stress and the hidden costs of resilience, highlighting the tensions between authenticity and societal expectations. Through an analysis of lived experiences, this research sheds light on how LGBTQ+ youth navigate resilience in a nation that simultaneously demonstrates progressive legal advancements and pervasive cultural resistance. The findings underscore the importance of inclusive support systems, equitable legal reforms, and cultural advocacy in addressing the marginalization of LGBTQ+ identities. By situating itself at the intersection of socio-cultural, legal, and ecological dimensions, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on youth resilience, offering nuanced insights into the realities of LGBTQ+ youth in Namibia.