The buckle of the Bible Belt: Sexual minority emerging adults’ minority stress in South Central Appalachia

Abstract

Introduction

Sexual minority emerging adults in Appalachia face multiple sources of stigma and discrimination.

Methods

We conducted four focus groups and five one-on-one interviews with sexual minority young adults and community stakeholders.

Results

Themes emerged from qualitative analysis: (1) Appalachian culture engenders discrimination and isolation; (2) a need to identify safe spaces; (3) lack of access to identity-affirming health services; and (4) participants draw strength from limited but persistent resistance, advocacy, and visibility.

Conclusion

Sexual minority emerging adults experience intersectional stigma in a socially conservative Appalachian setting. Attention to their unique experiences points toward specific service and community support needs.

Keywords:

• Qualitative
• thematic analysis
• sexual orientation
• lived experience
• young adults

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by a research grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R21MH113860).