Investing in Black LGBTQ+ liberation as white people: A call to action for community psychology.

  • Published In: American Journal of Community Psychology, 2023, v. 71, n. 1/2. P. 43 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Schlehofer, Michele M.; Wagner, Kathryn; Bramande, Emily A.; Lambert, Amy; Rivera, Allyson; Olortegui, Ashley; Demond, Whitney 3 of 3

Abstract

Due to systemic racialized homophobia and transphobia, Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people continue to experience worse life outcomes in comparison to both their Black cisgender and heterosexual, and White LGBTQ+ counterparts. Community psychologists have the tools and training to address these disparities. Using a critical whiteness studies lens, we draw on qualitative data with 17 White LGBTQ+ people to describe how white supremacy manifests in LGBTQ+ spaces. Our research indicates White LGBTQ+ people want to create intersectional spaces but lack the necessary skills to effectively confront anti‐Black racism. This resulted in actions which upheld and reinforced white supremacy, despite stated commitments to Black LGBTQ+ liberation. We conclude with recommendations for community psychologists, including engaging in intersectional coalition‐building, training centered around queer critical race theory, working to address racialized homophobia and transphobia alongside existing efforts to deconstruct anti‐Black racism within community psychology, and consciousness‐raising work with White people involved in LGBTQ+ equality movements to dismantle white supremacist structures within their organizations. Highlights: White lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) people simultaneously seek to dismantle and uphold white supremacy.Being LGBTQ+ was implicitly equated with being White.White LGBTQ+ people perceive anti‐Black racism as an interpersonal issue, not a structural problem.Community psychologists must address racialized homophobia and transphobia in antiracism work.Intersectional coalition‐building can facilitate liberation movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:American Journal of Community Psychology. 2023/03, Vol. 71, Issue 1/2, p43
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0091-0562
  • DOI:10.1002/ajcp.12632
  • Accession Number:162397249
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of American Journal of Community Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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