In today's society, people from diverse backgrounds can be members of multiple identity groups that may lead to both advantages and disadvantages based on their gender, race, ethnicity, class, religion, ability, and more. The term "intersectionality" was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to describe how these various forms of discrimination can overlap and compound each other to create unique experiences for individuals.
A transgender woman of color who is also an immigrant would likely face multiple levels of oppression due to her gender identity, race, nationality, and immigration status. She might experience discrimination and violence because of all three identities at once.
She could also gain certain privileges from being white or having wealth, which could help protect her from some of the challenges associated with those identities. Intersections are crucial to understand when discussing marginalized communities, including LGBTQ individuals.
Intersecting social identities can significantly impact how LGBTQ individuals experience oppression, privilege, and empowerment in different ways.
A gay man from a working-class family with dark skin may face prejudice for his sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and skin tone simultaneously. He could face harassment from others for not fitting into traditional masculine norms, such as being feminine or effeminate. On the other hand, he could also have access to certain privileges that come with whiteness or economic stability, giving him a leg up in life.
Intersectionality affects how people navigate relationships within their communities and beyond them. A lesbian couple where one partner is Black and the other is White may feel pressure to conform to heteronormative expectations while experiencing racism within their own community. This challenge can be especially difficult if they live in areas where there are few resources for support.
Their relationship may offer them strength and resilience during these trying times.
Intersecting social identities can create complex experiences of oppression, privilege, and empowerment among LGBTQ individuals. Understanding this complexity is essential for creating equitable and inclusive spaces for all members of society.
How do intersecting social identities influence experiences of oppression, privilege, and empowerment among LGBTQ individuals?
Research has shown that LGBTQ individuals can experience different levels of oppression, privilege, and empowerment based on their intersectional identities, such as race/ethnicity, gender identity/expression, socioeconomic status, age, physical ability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, and geographic location (Bailey & Sell, 2019).