The intersectionality approach has been an important framework for LGBTQ+ movements since its conception in the late twentieth century. This approach recognizes that different forms of oppression are connected and cannot be addressed separately from each other. It acknowledges that race, class, gender, disability, and other identities play a role in shaping experiences of marginalization. In this way, intersections between LGBTQ+ movements and other social justice campaigns have helped to shape collective strategies, mobilization, and successes.
One example is the Stonewall riots in New York City in 1969. The riots were sparked by police violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies who had gathered at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village. They resulted in the creation of the Gay Liberation Front, which advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and worked closely with other social movements such as the Black Panther Party and the American Indian Movement. These groups shared common goals of challenging systemic inequality and fighting for self-determination.
Another example is the fight for marriage equality in the United States. LGBTQ+ activists successfully used civil disobedience tactics during the "AIDS crisis" in the 1980s and 1990s to draw attention to discrimination and stigma faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. At the same time, they also pushed for equal rights for same-sex couples. This intersection between LGBTQ+ issues and health care was crucial in winning public support for marriage equality legislation.
Intersectional approaches have also been important in shaping feminist movements.
The Combahee River Collective, an organization of black lesbian feminists, argued that racism, sexism, and homophobia are interconnected forms of oppression that must be addressed together. Similarly, Indigenous Two-Spirit movements have drawn on both indigeneity and sexual identity to challenge colonialism and heteronormativity.
Intersectionality can continue to guide future LGBTQ+ activism by promoting solidarity across different communities. It can help mobilize allies from diverse backgrounds and bring greater visibility to underrepresented identities within the LGBTQ+ community. By recognizing how different forms of oppression intersect, we can work towards a more just and equitable society for all.
How have intersections between LGBTQ+ movements and other social justice campaigns shaped collective strategies, mobilization, and successes, and what lessons can guide future activism?
LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely than non-LGBTQ+ people to experience discrimination based on their gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, class, disability status, and other intersecting factors (Miller et al. , 2018). This has led to increased collaboration between LGBTQ+ organizations and those working for racial, economic, environmental, and political justice.