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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) live at the intersection of marginalized identities, resulting in unique experiences of exclusion within their various communities. Despite experiences of community exclusion, LGBTQIA+–BIPOC find ways to resist such structures to thrive in the face of adversity and strive for transformative change. The present study uses an intersectional framework to explore LGBTQIA+–BIPOC's experiences with community exclusion and acts of resistance. Fourteen LGBTQIA+–BIPOC participated in semistructured interviews to explore their experiences of exclusion and acts of resistance. Findings supported two broad categories with subthemes: (a) "on the fringes" (i.e., invalidation of LGBTQIA+–BIPOC experiences; White supremacy, colonization, and Western imperialism; "out and proud" dynamics) and (b) resistance: "we're here, and I'm gonna let you know" (i.e., resisting intersectional oppression; intersectional identity cohesion; coalition building). Utilizing an intersectional framework, we critique larger oppressive structures that disenfranchise LGBTQIA+–BIPOC while offering implications for social justice interventions and transformational change to best serve LGBTQIA+–BIPOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on LGBTQ+ emerging adult populations has primarily focused on discrimination that is experienced within the heterodominant culture. Due to systems of oppression and the forces of power and privilege, some sexual and gender minorities experience isolation and discrimination not only within the heterodominant culture, but within the LGBTQ+ community as well. Fourteen lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) young adults (20–25 years) with a diverse array of intersecting identities (e.g. gender, racial, ethnic, religious, cultural) participated in semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups. Participants reported on experiences of biphobia, acephobia, transphobia, gatekeeping the community, LGBTQ+ people of colour's experiences of racism within the community, other forms of oppression, and offered advice on areas of growth for the LGBTQ+ community. Findings provide insight into LGBTQ+ emerging adults experiences of discrimination and future research implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resiliency research suggests that connection to LGBTQ+ communities helps mitigate the negative impacts of oppression (i.e., community resilience). However, due to various interlocking systems of oppression, those with multiple marginalized identities [i.e., LGBTQ+ people of color (POC)] may not have equal access to LGBTQ+ community resilience resources. Despite the growing body of literature, little research has explored LGBTQ+ POC's experiences with the LGBTQ+ community from an intersectional framework to critique systems of oppression and provide implications for social justice. Fourteen LGBTQ+ POC participated in semistructured interviews to explore their experiences with protective factors of the LGBTQ+ community and the barriers they face in accessing community resilience. Findings supported three broad categories with subthemes: (1) LGBTQ+ Community Resilience Resources (i.e., Shared Narratives and Feeling Seen and Social Justice and Liberation), (2) Inequity to Accessing LGBTQ+ Community Resilience (i.e., Alienation and Exclusion, Disempowerment and Exploitation, and Invisibility), and (3) Making Space. Utilizing our intersectional framework, we provide implications for social justice advocacy as well as clinical and educational implications for counseling psychologists and community organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]