The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Sociology

TLDR: Researching Non-Heterosexual Sexualities as mentioned in this paper provides a glimpse into the research world for the graduate student or new faculty interested in starting, or already engaged in, research of sexualities in many fields, including sociology, anthropology, geography and public health.

Abstract: work that qualitative research can often be, especially among researchers who come from similar backgrounds as their participants. Another strength lies in the chapters that are international in focus. The methodological concerns in the United States are not always the concerns in other parts of the world. Chapters bring in data and research experience from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Cyprus in particular. A number of chapters also cover intersecting areas of identities; two chapters focus on religious LGBTQ research and a number layer in racial and ethnic complexities. Perhaps both topics can be given greater space should future editions be planned—work emerging from Africa, Asia, or South America would be especially helpful to researchers interested in populations within these areas. Furthermore, examination of methodological concerns among non-heterosexual U.S. African American or Latino populations could also strengthen coverage of intersecting identities. Some drawbacks of the edited volume are present. First, there appear to be a number of typographical errors in the book’s introduction. Regardless, these errors do not detract from the larger mission of the book. Also, while subsequent chapters are accessible to advanced undergraduates and graduate students, the introductory chapter is written at a level that may alienate some readers. Lastly, greater efforts could be made toward trans-inclusive research methodologies (see for example Meier and Labuski’s Chapter Sixteen in International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality [2013]). While transgender individuals are not necessarily nonheterosexuals, there are often sizeable proportions of trans people who also identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or other identities who also have specific research methodology concerns. Researching Non-Heterosexual Sexualities offers a nice glimpse into the world of research methods that your standard empirical journal article often does not. It is selfreflective and critical in the ways in which we do research in marginalized communities. While we may discuss these issues internally, at conferences, or in personal conversations, it is a welcomed breath of fresh air to hear others grapple with methodological concerns in the (relatively) open air of an academic anthology. This book is a ‘‘behind the veil’’ glimpse into the research world for the graduate student or new faculty interested in starting, or already engaged in, research of sexualities in many fields, including sociology, anthropology, geography, and public health.