Caymanian Performing Arts student Lebron McLean secured funding for his Final Year Independent Study Project at Edna Manley College. This study focuses on the impact of childhood trauma on LGBTQ Caribbean adults, aiming to shed light on their experiences and contribute to interventions and support systems. The research aims to initiate discussions across the Caribbean, promoting understanding and support for LGBTQ individuals.

His Final Year Independent Study Project, comprises of two essential components – a research proposal and a practical movement study, followed by a showcase. This independent study focuses on “Unveiling the Resilience of LGBTQ Caribbean Adults: Exploring the Long-Term Impact of Childhood Trauma on Mental Health”, and sets out to examine the experiences of LGBTQ youth navigating familial rejection, social ostracization, and a distressing prevalence of bullying and victimisation.

The significance of this research lies in unravelling the debilitating effects of childhood trauma experienced by LGBTQ youth. By bridging this knowledge gap, the study aims to contribute to the development of targeted interventions, support systems, and trauma-informed therapeutic approaches. This project also extends its implications to the LGBTQ community of the Cayman Islands, as they will be included in the research.