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Back-In-Black Series 3
"Do not give up, every day is different and leads to progress; go at your own pace". Qimmah Muhammad
There is no secret that the LGBTQ+ in POC communities face significantly more challenges compared to the White LGBTQ+ community due to an intersection of barriers and stigmas. POC in the LGBTQ+ community obtain different norms and values that challenge the mainstream, white-dominated culture. As a result, they encounter racism and ethnic bias from homophobes and internal members of the LGBTQ+ community. The term intersectionality is commonly used to recognize the complexities of an LGBTQ+ individual in POC communities. By raising awareness of intersectionality, non-LGBTQ+ members can identify the importance of mental health in the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ activist Qimmah Muhammad answered in a recent interview how a non-LGBTQ+ member can offer support to the community and become involved.
Understanding the LGBTQ+ umbrella:
According to Qimmah, LGBTQ+ is the acronym for lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, queer, or questioning. Umbrella terms are sexual identities that are/are not necessarily LGBTQ. These terms are an extension of the identities that reside within the LGBTQ+ community( the “+” symbolizes inclusivity and diversity).
Some glossary terms that are acquainted with the LGBTQ+ umbrella are as follows:
Bear-plus size homosexual male
ENBY/NB-non-binary
Lipstick Lesbian-feminine homosexual female
Androgyne-simultaneously masculine and feminine, also associated with non-binary
Bottom-one who is on the receiving end
Stud-masculine homosexual female
QPOC-queer person of color
Identifying overlapping factors:
Race
Nationality
Disability
Sexual Orientation
Gender Identity
Nationality
Socioeconomic Status
Age
Religion
Education
Language
Immigration Status
However, there are other areas of intersection that must be explored but, these factors are proven to decline an LGBTQ+ member's mental health, according to Spring Health.
Therapeutic Recommendations:
Stigmas can contribute to intersectional people having fewer resources and access to accurate information about mental health. If an individual cannot afford a clinical psychologist, here are a couple of alternatives that Qimmah suggest:
Consult with a case manager- to assist them with [finding] the proper therapist. Also, it is okay to ask for another therapist if that individual feels that their current therapist does not comply with their needs. I recommend that an individual of LGBTQ+ also test the waters with their therapist if they do not feel fully comfortable telling them about themselves yet; this will allow them to know if their therapist is LGBTQ+ friendly.
Call anonymous hotlines- such as
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888)-843-4564
The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743
The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386, Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741( information provided by pflag.org).
Positive Outlets-recreational center or volunteering may help a low-income individual focus on something positive rather than negative. I keep myself updated with LGBTQ+ issues by subscribing to newsletters with several queer/queer-friendly websites. I’ve watched many LGBT films that have examples of discrimination and LGBTQ+ situations such as “But I’m a cheerleader”(which is more of a comedy but still has learning attributes), “Moonlight”, and “Pariah”.
Coping mechanisms:
An individual discovering their personal identity is a complex and ongoing process that can feel like an eternity. Too often, an individual develops their identity around seeking validation from others which can cause them to experience the five stages of grief: Denial of Conflict, Bisexual vs. Gay or Lesbian, Conflicts in Allegiances, Establishing Priorities in Allegiance, and Integration of Communities (Morales, 1989). The best way for LGBTQ (we are not using "+" because reliable communities for this subgroup were not found) POC to cope is through the integration of communities, a stage when LGBTQ attempt to bridge the gap between their ethnic and sexual identities.
These stages are typical of sexual identity development among LGBTQ POC. However, these stages are subject to change depending on the person and their environment:
Self-Acceptance
Individual Factors
Finding Empowerment
Disclosure to Others
Environmental Factors
Exploring Multiple Identities
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Source:
https://www.springhealth.com/mental-health-black-lgbtq-communities-webinar-recap/#
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56bbb7e4f8baf3d9ee6c5ed6/t/56f04f404d088e7b7cb14633/1458589532701/LGBTQPOC.pdf
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