The impact of intersectionality on mental health is well established, but less attention has been given to its effect on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) people's mental health. This is important because there is considerable evidence that LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of psychiatric disorders compared to cisgender heterosexuals, such as anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and suicidality. Intersectional identities include gender identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, and many others. This study will explore how these factors can affect mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ populations.
Let us define what intersectionality means in terms of oppression. It refers to the combination of multiple forms of oppression experienced simultaneously, including racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, xenophobia, and more. These experiences are compounded, meaning they interact with each other and make it difficult to address one without taking into account all others. The term was coined by civil rights activist Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s to describe the unique experience of black women who faced discrimination based on both their gender and race. Intersectionality explains why some groups experience more systemic oppression than others and offers insights into how we can better understand power dynamics within society.
In the context of LGBTQ+ communities, this means that not all members have equal access to resources or support due to intersecting identities that may negatively impact them further.
A gay person from a low-income background may struggle more with coming out because they lack financial security or family support. On the other hand, a white cisgender man who comes from an affluent family has a much easier time accepting his sexual orientation due to privilege associated with being male, straight, and wealthy.
Researchers note that this is only part of the story as there are significant differences between people's experiences depending on additional identities such as religion and ethnicity.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 30% of LGBTQIA+ adults experience mental health disorders at some point in their lives compared to 20% among heterosexuals; however, this does not consider intersectional factors which could worsen these rates significantly. Studies suggest that individuals experiencing multiple forms of marginalization may face higher risk for mental illnesses like anxiety and depression compared to those without such identities. This finding was confirmed by researchers who investigated religious minorities within the LGBTQ+ community - specifically Muslims - reporting increased levels of stress related to both religion and sexual identity stigma. Another study found that immigrant Latinx trans women had worse psychological well-being than US-born trans women due to discrimination based on race/ethnicity and gender expression. Other studies have shown how socioeconomic status plays into mental health disparities by demonstrating that lower-income queer people have a greater risk for suicidality while higher-income gay men reported better life satisfaction overall.
Understanding the intersections of different forms of oppression can help inform policy makers about tailoring resources and services to address specific needs.
Offering mental health services through faith-based organizations could benefit religious LGBTQ+ populations, but it would need to be sensitive to cultural norms around homosexuality or gender variance without imposing one's own belief system onto others. Similarly, providing affordable housing options for low-income LGBTQ+ people might reduce financial strain associated with unstable living situations leading to higher rates of depression. It is essential to recognize that addressing just one form of oppression at a time ignores many nuances in this complex system resulting in unequal outcomes across groups.
How do intersectional experiences of oppression, including religion, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, affect mental health outcomes in LGBTQ populations?
Research has shown that individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), and belong to marginalized groups based on their race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status often experience high levels of mental health disparities such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse compared to their cisgendered heterosexual counterparts.