It's a Kiki!: Developmental benefits of the Kiki scene for Black gay/bisexual/transgender adolescents/emerging adults

Beyond Race, Sex, and Gender: Mental Health Considerations of Transgender Youth of Color, Intersex Youth, and Nonbinary Youth

This article explores how race, sex, and gender are better thought of as a continuum rather than binary categories. Starting with a discussion of intersectionality, we examine the importance of ethnic-racial identity and explore unique cultural considerations for working with Black, Latinx, and AAPI transgender and nonbinary youth. We then examine intersex youth and variations of sex development, as well as specific challenges they face. Finally, we explore nonbinary gender identities and the importance of individually tailoring affirming interventions. For all sections, we highlight the strengths and resilience of the youth and offer clinical recommendations for child and adolescent providers.

"They're not feeling the love they need to feel": HIV stigma and other intersecting stigmas among Black gay and bisexual men and transgender women in House and Ball Communities

Introduction

Stigma negatively influences engagement in HIV prevention and care. This study explores how young Black gay and bisexual men and transgender women (GBT) in the House and Ball Community (HBC) experience HIV and other intersecting stigmas.

Method

We conducted phenomenological analysis of interviews with 60 young Black GBT HBC members and 30 older leaders of the HBC.

Result

Participants described experiences of enacted, perceived, and internalized HIV stigma and intersecting stigmas related to race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, gender expression, and body size, as well as their responses to HIV stigma. Intersecting stigmas shaped and reinforced one another, leading to isolation and increased HIV vulnerability.

Conclusion

Interventions to ameliorate intersectional stigma and its effects are needed to improve primary and secondary HIV prevention in the HBC.

Pilot Trial of a Critical Consciousness-Based Intervention for Black Young Gay and Bisexual Men Living with HIV: Mobilizing Our Voices for Empowerment (MOVE)

HIV in the USA disproportionately affects Black young gay and bisexual men (Y-GBM). This article presents outcomes of a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing Mobilizing our Voices for Empowerment (MOVE), a culturally and developmentally tailored critical consciousness-based intervention for Black Y-GBM living with HIV (ages 16-24), with a comparison health promotion intervention. Black Y-GBM (n = 54) from four cities participated. Mixed effects models across four assessment points revealed participants in MOVE showed greater increases over time in perceived stress of HIV disclosure, self-efficacy for limiting HIV risk behavior, and condom use self-efficacy. Examining mean difference scores separately, participants in MOVE demonstrated increases in self-efficacy for HIV disclosure, perceived policy control, and self-efficacy for limiting HIV risk behavior. Immediately post-intervention, MOVE participants reported greater decreases in condomless intercourse with negative/unknown partners. MOVE may have potential to improve the health of Black Y-GBM living with HIV and reduce further transmission.

The Role of School and Community Involvement in the Psychosocial Health Outcomes of Black and Latinx LGBTQ Youth

PURPOSE

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified (LGBTQ) youth of color face poorer psychosocial health outcomes than their non-LGBTQ peers. Research suggests school-based and community activities promote psychosocial health for LGBTQ youth, but study samples are predominantly White. This study tested whether school enrollment and seven community activities were associated with LGBTQ community connectedness, happiness, and health among Black and Latinx LGBTQ youth.

METHODS

This study used a subsample of Black and Latinx LGBTQ adolescents and young adults (N = 472) from the Social Justice Sexuality project. Mean differences in study variables were examined across intersectional racial/gender identity categories. Multiple regression analyses assessed the association of school enrollment and community activities with psychosocial health outcomes, accounting for covariates.

RESULTS

Social activities for LGBTQ people (ß = 0.19) and LGBTQ people of color (POC; ß = 0.15) were associated with greater LGBTQ connectedness. While moderate religious services attendance (ß = -0.13) was associated with lower LGBTQ connectedness, high attendance was associated with greater happiness (ß = 0.13) and health (ß = 0.12). Social activities for LGBTQ-POC (ß = 0.13) were also associated with better health. School enrollment was not significantly associated with any outcomes and Latinx transgender and diverse youth had the lowest happiness and health.

DISCUSSION

Social activities for LGBTQ people and LGBTQ-POC may play a role in the social connectedness and health of Black and Latinx LGBTQ youth, while frequent religious service attendance may support health and happiness. Schools and faith institutions should ensure their institutions are welcoming to LGBTQ youth. Public health workers might facilitate the involvement and inclusion of LGBTQ youth, while policy should support funding for community activities.