Intersectionality is a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe how individuals can experience multiple forms of discrimination based on their identity.
An African American woman who is also a lesbian may be subject to both racism and homophobia, which means she faces double oppression. Intersectional identities are often associated with greater levels of prejudice and discrimination than those that belong to one single group. In this context, marginalization refers to exclusion from mainstream society due to nonconformity with social norms, access refers to being able to participate fully in society without barriers, while resilience is the ability to overcome challenges and thrive despite hardships.
Queer populations are those whose sexuality or gender expression does not fit into traditional heteronormative frameworks. They can include people who identify as gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, pansexual, asexual, intersex, and more. Within these communities, intersectionality plays out in various ways.
Queer women of color may face unique challenges related to race and gender discrimination in addition to their sexual orientation. Similarly, trans men who are also members of ethnic minority groups may experience additional barriers due to both their gender and racial identity. Queer individuals may also experience intersectionality within their own community, for instance when they are disabled or have disadvantages such as poverty.
One study found that LGBTQ+ persons who are also members of other minority groups tend to report higher levels of psychological distress compared to those who only belong to one group (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2013). This could be attributed to the fact that these individuals may feel isolated and invisible, since their experiences do not fit neatly into any one category. They may also face greater difficulty accessing resources and support networks because they are not recognized as belonging to any single community.
Research has also shown that these individuals may be more resilient than their peers who only belong to one marginalized group, possibly due to their ability to draw on multiple sources of strength and support (Sweeney et al., 2016).
In terms of access, intersectional identities may result in exclusion from certain spaces and opportunities.
A black lesbian woman may find it difficult to gain employment at a company that lacks diversity initiatives, while a Latina trans man may struggle to obtain healthcare due to cultural stigma around his identity. In some cases, queer individuals may experience exclusion from mainstream institutions altogether, leading them to create alternative systems of support and care. Examples include LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, community centers, and advocacy organizations (Watson et al., 2018).
Despite facing challenges related to marginalization and access, many queer individuals have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Many have found ways to connect with others through social media, online communities, and grassroots organizing. Others have taken leadership roles within their own communities or used their platforms to advocate for change. Some have even achieved success in mainstream culture, such as Laverne Cox's Emmy-nominated role on Orange is the New Black or Janet Mock's groundbreaking memoir Redefining Realness (Cox & Mock, 2014; Mock, 2014).
Intersectionality among queer populations shapes experiences of marginalization, access, and resilience by creating unique challenges and opportunities for those who belong to multiple groups. By recognizing these complex dynamics, we can better understand how to support and empower all members of society, regardless of identity.
How does intersectionality among queer populations shape experiences of marginalization, access, and resilience?
Intersectionality describes how individuals' identities intersect with each other to create complex social systems that influence their lived experiences. Queer people are often marginalized based on many intersections of identity such as race, class, gender, disability status, age, and religion. The intersectional approach recognizes that these different identities interact to create unique forms of discrimination, oppression, and resilience for queer people.