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 ingroup 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 ingroup discrimination on negative affect via identification with the devalued or discriminating group. Results from the ethnic context reveal that interminority ingroup 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 ingroup discrimination via group identification on negative affect were observed. The study highlights the need to identify those affected by interminority ingroup 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.