User:JTWikiEdu/African-American LGBT community

Mental Health
Black LGBTQ individuals are disproportionately affected by mental illness compared to other LGBTQ people. Black LGBTQ individuals are also more likely to experience poor mental health than Black heterosexual people. Although researchers have stated a need for more research in this area, several studies have shown links between the minority stress that comes from belonging to these two marginalized groups and mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression.

This occurs for reasons such as difficulty navigating their communities and similarly a lack of acceptance. Research tends to show that the less social support Black LGBTQ individuals receive, the higher chance that they will report symptoms of depression. Additionally, LGB Black people reported higher rates of "suicidal ideation, suicide planning and substance use than Black heterosexual participants.” These trends were observed even stronger for emerging adults in the Black LGBTQ community, as they have to cope with the stress of adulthood along with their sexual and racial identity . Research also suggests a link between general and cyber based victimisation in these low mental health outcomes for young Black LGBTQ people.

In addition to being disproportionately affected by mental illnesses, Black LGBTQ people were among the least likely to pursue mental health services. This was due to multiple factors such as care providers’ lack of proficiency in treating patients with sexual identity and racial identity struggles. Additionally, due to these disparities being rooted in systematic racism, large-scale “structural and systematic interventions” are needed to address these poor mental health outcomes.

Religion
In addition to facing discrimination for being black from outside their racial community, Black LGBTQ people have to deal with discrimination for being LGTBQ from inside their religious community, a.k.a the black church. The black church is often noted as a pillar of the black community.

Due to the history of slavery in the United States, black people were often denied the freedom to choose their sexual partners. Sticking to these heteronormative ideas set by slave owners fostered a notion of “respectability politics”. Specifically, to be respected, one must not stray from typical gender and sexuality. Additionally, the black church continued to emphasize heterosexual marriage. Despite the emphasis of "personal freedom and social justice" in the black church, members tend to stick to this conservative family view, which is "linked to intolerance of gays and lesbians".

Studies have found that Black LGBTQ individuals raised around homophobic themes developed increased internalized homonegativity. Additionally, being exposed to homophobic imagery impacts the mental development of Black LGBTQ youth.