Research shows that young adults with intellectual disabilities struggle to understand the social codes embedded in sexual situations. This may lead to an incomprehension of sexual consent, or when consenting to sex may lead to abuse. This qualitative study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of sexual experiences and perceptions about sexual consent among Swedish young adults with intellectual disabilities. The data comprise 22 semi-structured interviews with young adults aged 18-35 with intellectual disabilities, thematically analyzed using sexual script theory as a theoretical framework. Four themes emerged from the analysis: Setting the sexual scene, Sexual self-awareness, Sexual communication and the necessity of clarification and Striving for a balance. The results show that the participants had a variety of sexual experiences and challenges associated with sexual consent, but also an agency that favors sexual situations. Further research is necessary to understand the complexities of sexual consent in this population.

This article explores the ethical complexities encountered during a research project, where one sub-study aimed at interviewing LGBTQ+ youth in state care. Using a theoretical framework of ethics of care and the concept of consent, we discuss our difficulties finding interviewees and our decision to stop recruiting because of ethical considerations. We aim to show: (1) How different forms of care were expressed during the fieldwork process, and (2) How care practices and non-actions during this process constituted a contextual non-consent. We analyze the ethical dimensions of the fieldwork process and argue that this was an example of how a contextual non-consent was developed, based on lack of response from youth, gatekeepers' hesitations, the signals we received from allied professionals within NGOs acting as gate-keepers and the professionals in care facilities we interviewed, together with our own mitigations of the risks of contacting youth in facilities where we reached the conclusion that not conducting a certain study will sometimes be the most ethical way of doing research with a vulnerable groups. The study highlights the importance of continuous ethical reflection and the potential need to abandon research plans to protect vulnerable groups. The findings underscore the ethical responsibility of researchers to prioritize the well-being of participants over the pursuit of data, especially when dealing with marginalized populations. This case study contributes to the broader discourse on ethical research practices and the nuanced understanding of consent in qualitative research.

Summary: Research shows that young adults with intellectual disabilities are eager to engage in conversations about sexuality and intimacy, but the nuances of these discussions from their own perspective remain unexplored. This study aims to understand the challenges, facilitators, and dynamics that influence these young adults' engagement in conversations about sexuality and intimacy with family, friends, and support networks. The data comprise 22 qualitative interviews with Swedish young adults aged 18-35 with intellectual disabilities.

Findings: Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) Sharing is caring-motivating and initiating conversations about sexuality and intimacy; (2) Safe spaces-facilitators of sexual and intimate communication; (3) Being overlooked and feeling unheard; and (4) Overprotection and self-blame. The findings show that young adults with intellectual disabilities encounter additional challenges when engaging in conversations about sexual or intimate matters with their broader support networks. Trust plays a pivotal role in determining with whom they choose to have conversations about these topics, and societal norms can impede the occurrence of crucial conversations. In the discussion, the findings are explored further guided by Ken Plummer's theoretical framework, which outlines four levels in the process of producing and consuming socially constructed sexual narratives.

Applications: These insights are vital for enhancing social work practices, informing policy development, and guiding the creation of supportive interventions that foster inclusive environments. By recognizing and addressing these barriers, professionals can better support the sexual health and well-being of young adults with intellectual disabilities, promoting their agency and self-determination in intimate matters.

Previous research shows that LGBTQ+ youth are over-represented in out-of-home care and that especially transgender andnon-binary youth face challenges during their placement. These challenges stem from, among other factors, the lack ofknowledge and competence of professionals regarding the unique needs of transgender and non-binary youth. In Sweden,there are policies that aim to protect transgender and non-binary youth from discrimination and to promote their sexualand reproductive health and rights, and an increasing number of residential homes claim to have LGBTQ competencewhen competing for placements. However, it is unclear how this affects the everyday experiences of trans and non-binaryyouth at residential homes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the practices and challenges of clinical social workers at residential care homes when working with gender identity and sexual health issues among young transgender andnon-binary youth. Eight semi-structured interviews focusing on professionals’ knowledge and experiences were conductedand analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: i) Knowledge being a personal matter; ii) Heteronormativity and binarity creating consequences; iii) Handling discrimination and harassments; and iv) Creating a trustfulalliance. The results show that knowledge is a personal matter, and social work professionals seek the knowledge theyneed instead of receiving it in education or training. The contextual heteronormativity and binarity creating consequencesat the residential care home pose challenges for social workers and they have to find creative ways to support transgenderand non-binary youth and address the harassments and discrimination that these youth face. Moreover, the social workersshare their strategies regarding how they are creating a trustful alliance. Overall, they identify significant challenges todeveloping clinical social work that is affirming of transgender and non-binary youth.

Vem är du? Vilka är dina identiteter? Vad är det som gör att du är du? Finns det delar av dina identiteter som du hellre lyfter fram än andra? Finns det tillfällen när du känner att du måste dölja vem du är? Kan du alltid vara dig själv? Vem blir du när du återvänder till Borås, Boston eller Bagdad? Vad är det som gör att du känner samhörighet med vissa människor på somliga platser men inte på andra? Har du velat vara en del av ett sammanhang där du inte är välkommen? Vart kommer du ifrån? Vart är du på väg? 

I. You. We.

Perspectives on identity constructions

Who are you? What are your identities? What makes you who you are? Are there parts of your identities that you prefer to highlight over others? Are there times when you feel you must hide who you are? Can you always be yourself? Who do you become when you return to Borås, Boston, or Baghdad? What does the place mean? What makes you feel connected with certain people in some places but not in others? Have you wanted to be a part of a context where you are not welcome? Where do you come from? Where are you heading?

The Researchers' Gallery features ongoing and current research. In the exhibition "I. You. We", the library has collaborated with the following researchers:

Sweden is the most secular and at the same time one of the most multireligious nations in Europe. According to the religion sociologist Linda Woodhead conservative religious contexts become even more conservative when a society is secularized. This is particularly evident when it comes to issues of intimacy, sexuality, and relationships. In Christian free churches, the faith is personal and consists of an active choice to 'follow Jesus', often through salvation or baptism. Living in purity and not committing sinful acts are emphasized. In my presentation I will take my starting point in sexuality, gender identity and religion and reflect on lived experiences of reconcile identity, sexuality, and Christian faith in a Swedish context.

My book A conditional community. Lgbtq, sexuality and Christian Free Churches is based onin-depth interviews with twenty-nine lgbtq Christian individuals. I examine their process of acknowledging and accepting their identity and sexuality, and of finding ways to reconcilei dentity, sexuality, and the Christian faith. There is considerable experience among the interviewees of not being allowed to participate on the same terms as other parishioners. They describe feelings of shame in relation to sexuality or their identity as gay/bisexual or transgender, which is discussed in relation to norms of honor and chastity. Experiences of conversion therapy, casting out evil spirits and relating to a world view that is divided into good and evil are described. The interviewees also reflect on how to work for an affirmative,welcoming and accepting view of lgbtq people.

The aim of this study is to explore the current scientific evidence for using the twelve-step method as a treatment method for sex addiction and compulsive sexual behavior (disorder). Peer-reviewed empirical articles on the twelve-step method and sex addiction and compulsive sexual behavior (disorder) written in English, Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish, retrievable in selected databases were included. No limits were set on publication date or study design. The systematic review resulted in eight empirical studies which were read and assessed according to the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The results were inconclusive, and we found only three articles of high quality, where the samples were composed mainly by men, which indicate that peer-therapy in combination with individual therapy might be beneficial. That twelve-step treatment rests heavily on the idea of sex addiction was unproblematized in most of the publications. Overall, the findings raise issues concerning who benefits from this treatment.