Learning objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Explain intersectionality and its link to minority stress.
- Understand the health challenges of people with multiple marginalized identities.
- Identify ways to reduce discrimination against people with overlapping identities.
Why this matters
Understanding intersectionality helps us:
- Recognize the challenges of holding multiple minority identities.
- Improve support for people facing overlapping discrimination.
- Advocate for systemic change to build a more inclusive society.
What is intersectionality?
Intersectionality explains how different parts of a person’s identity combine and overlap to shape their experiences.
People’s identities are multidimensional — they are shaped by more than one factor, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and more. When someone belongs to multiple marginalized groups, they often face complex, compounded discrimination and stress.
For example:
- A Black LGBTQ2+ person may experience both racism and homophobia.
- A disabled woman of colour may face discrimination related to gender, race, and disability status.
People with multiple marginalized identities often experience higher levels of minority stress than those facing discrimination in only one area.
Microaggressions
Microaggressions are subtle, everyday actions or comments that reinforce discrimination against minority groups. Even though they may seem small, they accumulate over time and affect emotional and mental well-being.27
Types of microaggressions
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Microassaults | A deliberate discriminatory action, such as refusing service, using slurs, or making explicit insults based on someone’s identity. | Saying “That’s so gay” in a negative way. |
| Microinsults | Subtle comments or behaviours that reinforce stereotypes or undermine someone’s identity, often unintentional. | Telling a woman in a leadership role, “You’re so bossy!” instead of recognizing her skills. |
| Microinvalidations | Statements or behaviours that dismiss or minimize a person’s experiences with discrimination. | Telling a trans person, “You’re just too sensitive. No one is being transphobic.” |
Health impacts of multiple minority identities
Recent research shows that people with multiple marginalized identities often experience higher stress and poorer health outcomes.
Here are some key findings:
- Plurisexual (bisexual, pansexual, queer) people of colour have higher rates of depression and anxiety than monosexual (gay or lesbian) people of colour.28
- LGBTQ2+ individuals from racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to report depression and self-harm than non-LGBTQ2+ individuals from the same minorities.29
- Heterosexism (discrimination against LGBTQ2+ people) and racism together negatively affect the mental health of LGBTQ2+ people of colour, especially in communities that are not accepting.30
- Experiencing microaggressions is directly linked to higher levels of depression among LGBTQ2+ people of colour.31
These findings highlight how multiple forms of discrimination — such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, and sexism — can combine to amplify stress and worsen health outcomes.
Reducing discrimination
To reduce discrimination against people with multiple marginalized identities, action is needed at both individual and systemic levels.
| Strategy | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Building empathy | Teaching people about intersectionality helps increase understanding and compassion. |
| Culturally sensitive health care | Health care professionals should recognize that different groups may have different needs and experiences. |
| Addressing vicarious trauma | Hearing about discrimination happening to others can cause psychological distress, especially for LGBTQ2+ people of colour. Support systems are needed to address this. |
| Community and societal change | Tackling structural discrimination requires education, policy reform, and advocacy. |
By improving education, policies, and support systems, we can create more inclusive spaces for people with multiple marginalized identities.