Multiple minority group oppression : divided we stand?

N. Nabors, R. Hall, M. Miville, R. Nettles, M. Pauling, B. Ragsdale

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) psychologists of color experience oppression from many sides. In addition to being negatively perceived by the majority society for being of different ethnicity, LGBT psychologists also experience oppression within their communities of color because of homophobia. In order to receive support from either community (people of color community of origin or European American gay, lesbian, bisexual, & transgendered community), multiple minority group members must deny important aspects of themselves, supported by one community and deemed as less important or unacceptable by the other. The double or triple oppression has a significant impact on their adjustment. This commentary focuses on the personal experiences and observations of LGBT psychologists of color as it relates to multiple oppression from the psychological community and society at large.