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Intersectional Microaggressions
Intersectionality plays a role in how people who identify with the LGBTQ community are treated in society. Intersectionality (1989) is a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw that is used to describe the overlapping identities we hold as humans. These identities consist, but are not limited to: race, social class, gender, religion, nationality etc. In a review of Canadian empirical research, Sadika et. al.(2019) concluded intersectionality must be included in research regarding lived experiences of Black LGBTQ communities and LGBTQ Communities of Color and most of the research to date is based on the White LGBTQ lived experience. The review found that Non-White LGBTQ communities experienced microaggressions from both their familial units as well as the society they reside in due to the intersections of their lives. Microaggressions are defined as “as the everyday, subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — interactions or behaviors that communicate some sort of bias toward historically marginalized groups” (NPR, 2020.) Microaggressions also transpire against Black LGBTQ and LGBTQ Communities of Color within White LGBTQ spaces (Sadika et. al.,2019.), hence the term intersectional microaggressions coined by K.L Nadal et al., (2015).

Sadika et al., (2019) also reported Non-White LGBTQ communities had trouble finding social and medical support due to the same intersections. In the studies reviewed, researchers found that Black LGBTQ and LGBTQ Communities of Color experienced disconnection, lack of support, exclusion and/or prejudices from their ethnic and cultural communities due to religious beliefs (ideologies and beliefs with a heteronormative lens) and language barriers (usage of inclusive language, pronoun usage, etc.) Sadika et. al., (2019) evoked from a study conducted by Yan (2014) that “LGBTQ youth of color hid their sexual identity from members of their own racial and ethnic group, as they feared being exposed to negative reactions from family members and losing financial support from parents.”

In order to combat this rhetoric, ethnic and cultural communities should practice inclusivity and not avoid conversations about this particular identity and lived experience. It must also be noted that silence could hurt more than help.

Nadal, K. L., Davidoff, K. C., Davis, L. S., Wong, Y., Marshall, D., & McKenzie, V. (2015). A qualitative approach to intersectional microaggressions: Understanding influences of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and religion. Qualitative Psychology, 2(2), 147-163. DOI 10.1037/qup0000026

Sadika, B., Wiebe, E., Morrison, M. A., & Morrison, T. G. (2019). Intersectional microaggressions and social support for LGBTQ persons of color: A systematic review of the canadian-based empirical literature. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 16(2), 111–147. DOI 10.1080/1550428x.2020.1724125

Yan, S. (2014). Through an intersectionality lens: Service provider views on the sexual needs of radicalized LGBTQ youth in toronto. [Master's thesis]. https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2732&context=etd