Intersectional Microaggressions and Social Support for LGBTQ Persons of Color: A Systematic Review of the Canadian-Based Empirical Literature

Abstract

Researchers have documented that LGBTQ persons of Color in the United States of America experience intersectional microaggressions and social support from their family and community members. Given the manifestation of heteronormativity (i.e., normalizing heterosexuality and gender binary system) and homonormativity (i.e., constructing LGBTQ identities as “White”) in North America, researchers have not systematically reviewed the empirical literature on intersectional microaggressions, specifically within familial and community contexts in Canadian society. The current paper addresses this omission by elucidating the significance of intersectionality as a theoretical framework in LGBTQ scholarship. Findings indicated that LGBTQ persons of Color experienced microaggressions in their families and racial and ethnic communities due to their sexuality and gender identities, and in mainstream LGBTQ spaces due to their racial and ethnic identities. They also struggled to navigate their intersecting identities, and encountered negative health outcomes, which they coped with through resistance and social support. The strengths and limitations of this paper, and recommendations for future inquiry are outlined.

Keywords:

• Community
• family
• intersectionality
• LGBTQ persons of color
• microaggressions
• social support