We are looking to interview gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM) who have immigrated to Canada from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). To be eligible to participate, you must be:

Residing in Canada
An immigrant from the Middle East and North Africa region
At least 18 years old
Identifying as a man (or assigned male at birth) who is gay, bisexual, or another sexual minority
Willing to consent to audio-recording

Led by our PhD Student, Adhm Zahran, this study aims to better understand the experiences of MENA SMM immigrants, in order to provide data to help inform more effective programming and services tailored to their needs.

Gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM) remain at disproportionate risk for negative psychosocial outcomes. According to Minority Stress Theory, higher rates of distress among SMM result from societal stigmatization, including heterosexist discrimination and structural stigma (e.g., harassment, persecutory laws related to sexual orientation). These experiences can, in turn, lead to negative consequences for substance use and the mental and sexual health of SMM.

The impact of sexual minority stress may be compounded by stressors that come from co-existing marginalized identities. According to the intersectionality framework, marginalization based upon social identities, such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation, is interrelated and simultaneously experienced for people with multiple minority identities. MENA SMM immigrants in particular may experience multiple, intersecting stressors. Despite this, there has been little research examining the experiences of MENA SMM immigrants and the potential impact these experiences have on their wellbeing.

The purpose of this project is to understand the lived experiences of MENA SMM who have immigrated to Canada. The study involves a survey and interview exploring your sexual orientation and gender identity, experiences of stress, discrimination, and difficult life events, your religious and spiritual beliefs and practices, as well as the ways you cope and find strength. We are interested in understanding how these experiences may affect the mental and physical wellbeing of MENA immigrants who identify as men who are gay, bisexual, or another sexual minority.

The interviews will be audio recorded. The interview session will last approximately 60-90 minutes. In appreciation of your time, you will receive $50 (cash or e-transfer) for taking part in the study.

The principal investigator of this study is Doctoral student Adhm Zahran; Email: azahran@torontomu.ca

This research study has been reviewed and approved by the Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board [REB 2025-504].
RESOURCES LIST HERE 

References

Abboud, S., Chaudhry, A. B., & Pachankis, J. E. (2025). A qualitative exploration of minority stress, mental health, and sexual health among Arab immigrant sexual minority men in the United States. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 31(2), 375-385. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000645

Brooks, V. R. (1981). Minority stress and lesbian women. Lexington Books.

Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241-1299. https://doi.org/10.2307/1229039

Hart, T. A., Noor, S. W., Vernon, J. R. G., Kidwai, A., Roberts, K., Myers, T., & Calzavara, L. (2018). Childhood maltreatment, bullying victimization, and psychological distress among gay and bisexual men. The Journal of Sex Research, 55(4-5), 604-616. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2017.1401972

Malik, M. H., Iqbal, S., Noman, M., Sarfraz, Z., Sarfraz, A., & Mustafa, S. (2023). Mental health disparities among homosexual men and minorities: A systematic review. American Journal of Men’s Health, 17(3), 15579883231176646–15579883231176646. https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883231176646

Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674-697. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674