This research focuses on the spaces and social networks of deaf lesbians who live or have lived in London, exploring how these evolve throughout their lives. Central to their thesis are the migration trajectories of deaf lesbians: why do they move to and from London, and how do their motivations change over time? The study also examines strategies used to find accommodation, such as lodging in deaf households or sharing housing with other lesbians.

I want to find out where and how deaf lesbians create their own spaces and networks and what strategies they use to create these spaces. Deaf lesbian spaces can be private places such as a home, or public spaces like regularly meeting in the same pub or taking a holiday together with a group of deaf lesbians. These places create and are created by deaf lesbian networks. An example of a deaf lesbian network could also be deaf lesbian parents who regularly babysit on each other’s children.

I’m interested in London because it is a vibrant place where many queer/lesbian deaf people live. Additionally, it has the typical dynamic of big cities such as a rich cultural life, but also problems such as the housing crisis and gentrification. These all influence the lives, spaces and networks of deaf lesbians.

I use a mixed methods approach for this research:

• Observations
• Interviews
• Mapping