“We Are Powerful People”: Health-Promoting Strengths of LGBTQ Communities of Color

• Published in: Qualitative health research Vol. 30; no. 8; pp. 1156 - 1170
• Main Authors: Hudson, Kimberly D., Romanelli, Meghan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.07.2020; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Advocacy; Bisexuality; Collective action; Community power; Community support; Connectedness; Gays & lesbians; Health care access; Health disparities; Health promotion; Health technology assessment; Lesbianism; LGBTQ people; Minority & ethnic groups; Oppression; Qualitative research; Sexual orientation; Sexual orientation discrimination; Transgender persons; Womens health; United States > US; New York City New York; social support; racism; race; lived experience; in-depth interviews; resistance; New York City; community health; gays and lesbians; bisexuals; resilience; illness experience; transgender; health seeking
• ISSN: 1049-7323; 1552-7557
• DOI: 10.1177/1049732319837572

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities of color experience intersecting systems of oppression that limit access to health care, safety, and other basic resources. Important research has documented these disparities, their antecedents, and consequences. However, little research has examined the strengths of multiply marginalized LGBTQ communities. Drawing from a health equity framework, this study is based on interviews with 38 LGBTQ-identified people of color in New York City. We used framework analysis to examine participants’ perspectives on the role of community in enhancing health and well-being. Community strengths identified by participants included (a) safety, acceptance, and support; (b) interconnectedness and resource sharing; and (c) advocacy, collective action, and community potential. Recommendations for policy, practice, and future research are suggested, including efforts toward community power building.