Bridging Identities: Intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community

The Wheel of Power. You may have heard of this term before, and in simple words it shows us the biases and discrimination in society today. Essentially it classifies how specific parameters equate to more privilege for a person. It falls under categories of groups that hold power and groups that are marginalized under parameters such as Language, Wealth, Citizenship, Color, Sexuality and more. Now let’s say you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community but are also not fluent in English, have some form of disability, and are a person of color. That is what you would call Intersectionality, a complex blend of various, marginalized identities, which can overlap to create more discrimination for an individual. Fundamentally, the struggles of queer people are further amplified in numerous ways when part of other communities.

Cultural Context: Various communities and cultures can have different perspectives of the queer community which may in turn make a queer person's journey harder. According to the Pew research center only 7% of Nigerians accept this community compared to 85% of Canadians.

Disability: People who have disabilities usually face more prejudice and stereotyping. That paired with being part of the LGBTQ+ community, which may also face discrimination creates more struggle. Not all Pride Events can include accommodation for all sorts of disabilities, thus, not allowing them to empower themselves or others like them.

Socioeconomic Status: Queer people may find it harder to earn income, find housing, and more. People who are from a lower monetary and educational background and are also queer may find it harder to find jobs accepting of their identities and qualifications. Furthermore, they could also struggle to find housing, once again, due to discrimination; especially youth who are often rejected by their family.

Above are only a few of the many intersectional fields, and the categories in which people can fall into are broader and are host to different barricades. Intersectional LGBTQ+ individuals with multiple identities can lead to more obstacles in areas like healthcare, employment, and social acceptance; but we as individuals can take small steps to help them. This could be educating ourselves and those around us, advocating for inclusive policies, amplifying and supporting smaller voices, and just being supportive allies.

In the end, whether you are a queer black woman, or a trans wheelchair user, bridging your identities and accepting each and everyone is essential to break down the wheel of power and empower the intersectional.