Triggered: Qualitatively exploring structural and social drivers of firearm violence exposure among LGBTQ+ young adults of color in Detroit

Firearm violence is a leading cause of injury and death among youth and young adults in the U.S. with notable inequities across race and ethnicity, geography, and gender. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) young adults are largely absent from firearms research. Guided by structural violence and Social Safety theory, we qualitatively explored structural and social influences on firearm violence exposure among LGBTQ+ young adults of color in Detroit, Michigan. Through analysis of in-depth interviews with 24 participants, we developed three themes aligned with this aim. First, participants' accounts reflected how contemporary and historical structural racism in Detroit is the root cause of the firearm violence. Second, participants characterized firearms as a source of protection in the absence of structural safety. Finally, participants described how firearm violence against LGBTQ+ people is often an attempt to regain social status lost to structural violence. These themes indicate that structural racism in Detroit has unique impacts on LGBTQ+ young adults of color's exposure to firearms and firearm violence. Future research with this community is needed to guide protective interventions and policy changes.