The Resistance Movement of Queer People of Color

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The Resistance Movement of Queer People of Color There is arguably no group that has faced more discrimination in modern society than queer people of color. Although often pushed together into a single minority category, these individuals actually embrace multiple racial and sexual identities. However, they suffer from oppression for being a part of both the ethnic minority and queer communities. As a result, members are abused, harassed, and deprived of equal civil rights in social and economic conditions (Gossett). In response to the multiple levels of discrimination they face in today’s society, queer people of color have turned to the establishment and active participation of support organizations, resources, and policies to advocate for overall equality. Queer people of color, also known as QPOC, are individuals who identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community, and also consider themselves to be members of a racial or ethnic minority. QPOC face many of the same discriminatory disparities as their white counterparts who identify within the LGBTQ community; however, because of their cultural backgrounds, they are forced to deal with a second level of oppression. Their dual minority status within society contributes to intersectional community exclusion. Prior to the 1970’s, members of the LGBTQ community, and especially those who also identified as people of color, were forced to stay silent despite constant discrimination because of their minority statuses. They did not have a voice or means to speak out against the oppression. During the 1960’s, the few safe spaces established for QPOC in urban communities had disappeared, since this particular era was being overshadowed by the Civ... ... middle of paper ... ...n). LGBTQ individuals of African and Latino descent have especially had to face youth homelessness, unemployment, social discrimination, and lack of healthcare. However, in order to combat this, the QPOC communities have begun to fight back by standing up for themselves. Support groups covering all forms of identity have been established nationwide, and continue to grow. In addition, media projects and political organizations are working to set QPOC apart from the dominant white queer community, thus giving them a voice to speak out against the issues they currently encounter. Although they continue to face multiple forms of oppression today, through the acknowledgment of LGBTQ communities of color and advocacy for their rights, the resistance efforts of QPOC can help in the movement to ultimately eliminate intersectional discrimination from our society altogether.

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