Intersectionality within the LGBTIQ+ context: Discrimination, identification, and negative affect

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, or queer (LGBTIQ+) people with intersecting disadvantaged group memberships (e.g., LGBTIQ+ people of color) face discrimination within both their disadvantaged groups. This preregistered study investigates the impact of interminority in-group discrimination (i.e., discrimination when one is discriminated against by one’s own disadvantaged group because of one’s membership in another disadvantaged group) on negative affect among LGBTIQ+ people with an additional disadvantaged group membership in either the “ethnic” (N = 203) or “health disparity” context (N = 545). Building on the rejection-identification model, the study additionally explores the indirect effects of interminority in-group discrimination on negative affect via identification with the devalued or discriminating group. Results from the ethnic context reveal that interminority in-group discrimination, originating from both the LGBTIQ+ and ethnic groups, is associated with higher negative affect. However, in the health disparity context, this is true only for discrimination coming from LGBTIQ+ people against the health disparity group. No indirect effects of interminority in-group discrimination via group identification on negative affect were observed. The study highlights the need to identify those affected by interminority in-group discrimination and the reasons behind it to develop effective interventions for more inclusive and aware communities. Further implications and limitations of the study are discussed.