Discussion Post
WST3614 LGBT AND Beyond: Non-Normative Sexualities in Global Perspective
Dr. Victoria Burns
Intersectionality and Intersecting identities
All of the different identities you possess determine your relative social and political power
A white, heterosexual, young woman will have different life experiences and political and social power than a middle-aged gay black man
Identities are valued in a hierarchical fashion all over the world. Light skin favored over dark skin. Male favored over female. High SES favored over low SES, etc.
2
Who are you?
Think about all of your identities and roles
Sex
Race
Ethnicity
Sexual orientation
Gender identity
Religion
Age
occupation
Social class
Nationality
Mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, friend, etc
3
Intersecting identities
Now think about how all of those identities “intersect,” or impact each other
For example, some people of color who are also gay may experience prejudice from both communities. They may therefore not feel they completely “belong” or are accepted in any community
Intersecting identities
The LGBT movement in the United States has been criticized for focusing on white LGBT individuals and not being inclusive. For example:
Many activists believe the fight for marriage equality is a privileged one and ignores more pressing issues:
Poverty, healthcare, lack of employment, affordable housing, LGBTQ homeless youth
LGBTQ people of color higher risk for targets of violence
Employee Non-Discrimination laws are important steps, but very difficult to implement. Many “protected” groups are still not hired
UCLA Williams Institute study:
black gay and lesbian couples had higher poverty rates than their black heterosexual counterparts, and three times higher than white gay couples.
Intersectionality and lgbtq community
The Black Lives Matter movement has joined forces with the Trans Lives Matter movement
“The linking of TLM and BLM comes at a pivotal time of rising fatal violence against transgender people in the United States. Of the 20 estimated murders of transgender Americans across the country this year, 17 of the victims were transgender women of color” – The Advocate, September 2015
Divides even within LGBTQ community: white cisgender gay males accused not always being sensitive to issues important to trans people