Around the diversity of sexual orientations: Africa-Canada perspective among Francophone youth from sub-Saharan African immigration

Issues relating to sexual diversity are marginally addressed by studies on the identity construction or training of youth from recent African immigrant backgrounds. How do these youth integrate the idea of diversity of sexual orientations into their migration paths? What are their experiences in the field? Based on a selected group involving 26 youth and an in-depth interview with a young homosexual adult, this pilot study analyzes the dual cause of the issue. On one hand, permanent discursive patterns based on collective unspoken taboos by cultural backgrounds, and on the other hand, the lack of appropriate educational programs which lead these youth to develop misadapted attitudes toward an open society. One of the recommendations emerging from this study is that culturally adapted training programs should be organized to prepare these youth for the lifestyle of a Canadian host society generally considered as more open and inclusive toward immigrants.