A Preliminary Model of Intersectional Minority Stress among QT-BIPOC

Queer and Trans (QT) and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) live at the intersection ofstatuses that create unique experiences of marginalization. Minority stress theory is a framework used to examine how external and internal stressors shape mental health disparities among QT communities. However, existing minority stress research often focuses on SGD or BIPOC identities, missing opportunities to capture the unique intersectional experiences of SGD-BIPOC. Further, research continues to not center the voices of plurisexual (e.g., bisexual, pansexual, queer) BIPOC within research. Utilizing a sample of 418 SGD-BIPOC (M = 36.09, SD = 13.71), the present study tested a preliminary model of intersectional minority stress among SGD-BIPOC and exploring how results may differ for plurisexual BIPOC.

Results found that the significant relation between intersectional microaggressions and depression was best explained by its relation with conflicts between one’s QT and BIPOC identities. Furthermore, revealed that plurisexual BIPOC experienced greater distress and depressive symptoms. Our results highlight the unique intersectional experiences of QT-BIPOC communities, with specific attention to the experiences of plurisexual BIPOC. Implications for clinical practice, outreach, and the expansion of intersectional minority stress research are discussed. We recommend clinicians and community leaders to:

  • Clinicians may create a space for QT-BIPOC to increase conscious awareness of how external oppressive messages are internalized and influence depression and feelings of disempowerment.

  • Clinicians can target internalized intersectional stressors by attending to how intersecting systems of oppression seek to fragment QT-BIPOC identities, empowering clients to externalize oppressive messages of their QT-BIPOC identities not being compatible while simultaneously exploring the ways of celebrating their identities.

  • Clinicians, community organizations, and policymakers should consider creating specific interventions that decrease intersectional microaggressions, such as education and addressing microaggressions in the moment.