Currently, there are minimal guidelines established to assist therapists working with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) folx (American Psychological Association, 2009) and many are outdated or ambiguous. The purpose of the present study was to test whether therapeutic guidelines for working with TGD people were seen as effective and which aspects were most helpful. Fifteen participants from a larger study watched four consecutive video segments depicting mock therapy sessions in which the therapist’s behavior was either affirming, neutral, or marginalizing of the client’s TGD identity. Participants rated the effectiveness of each session at reducing the client’s distress using the Session Rating Scale (SRS; Miller, Duncan, & Johnson, 2002). Following the last video, the participants were asked about their perceptions of the therapist’s behavior throughout the sessions. ANOVA results showed a significant difference between the three conditions (F(2, 12) = 30.83, p < .001); affirming therapy was rated as more effective than neutral and marginalizing therapy. Thematic analyses revealed three main themes of affirming, effective therapy: (1) therapists understanding nuances between TGD identity and mental health, (2) therapists actively working to mitigate fear of marginalizing therapy, and (3) therapists fostering pride in one’s TGD identity. It was also found that, regardless of what video they were assigned, participants emphasized a dire need for therapists with more extensive training on working with TGD clients, because many have experienced prior therapy resembling the neutral and marginalizing videos. These findings provide support for updated training and guidelines focusing on competency with TGD identity.

Colorism, the system or culture in which people with lighter skin tones are preferred or privileged over those with darker skin, is controversial and taboo in many communities of color. Within the Black diaspora, colorism has become so ingrained into families and communities, that it has become a reinforcer of white supremacy on a macro level. On the micro-level, previous studies have noted how colorism is a predictor of internalized self-hate, feelings of inadequacy, and imposter syndrome. However, few studies examine how sexual orientation and gender identity influence skin stratification and how colorism could possibly alter the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other non-heterosexual or non-binary (LGBTQ+) people. The purpose of my study is to explore how LGBTQA+ identifying people who are part of the African Diaspora, experience colorism in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts. Further, my study will examine how colorism affects the mental health status of LGBTQ+ people of the African Diaspora.

Intersectionality, the idea that people have multiple social identities, which interact to influence experiences and interactions, is important for well-being. This is true for individuals who carry multiple stigmatized identities and for those with only one stigmatized identity. Much of the current research does not serve to distinguish between the different experiences of LGBTQ+ Whites and people of color. The current research aims to understand 1) differences in well-being between LGBTQ+ Whites and people of color, 2) how race/ethnicity impacts the process of coming to terms with one’s LGBTQ+ identity, 3) discrimination and bias in one’s racial community and the LGBTQ+ community, and 4) identity integration. LGBTQ+ individuals aged 17+ were recruited to complete a survey (n=38) and a qualitative interview (n=21) to assess factors that influence well-being and explore the differences in understanding of LGBTQ+ identity. Results indicate that for POC, race may be an obstacle to coming to terms with LGBTQ+ identity. Participants of color more often discussed biases against LGBTQ+ coming from their racial community. At the same time, racial bias was noted to be present in the LGBTQ+ community. Such experiences were found to have implications for well-being. Our findings suggest that discrimination and bias, community, identity, and well-being must be understood in the context of multiple identities. While research that only focuses on gay, cisgender, and/or White individuals provides useful insights into the LGBTQ+ community, it is imperative that future research on queer and trans people integrate race as a factor.