Expanding Intersectionality Praxis: Informing Culturally-Responsive Programming for Black and Latino Gay and Bisexual Young Men

Author

Justin T. Brown, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

2-2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Psychology

Advisor

Tamara R. Buckley

Committee Members

Michelle Fine

Roderick J. Watts

Marilyn Aguirre-Molina

Josephine Imbimbo

Subject Categories

Other Public Health | Personality and Social Contexts | Psychology | Public Health | Social Psychology

Keywords

intersectionality, asset-based, culturally-responsive, health intervention, GLBT POC, emerging adulthood

Abstract

Black/Latino gay/bisexual young men face a multitude of health disparities caused by various determinants of health. However, despite the awareness of the gaps, health intervention research rarely explores the impact of current health intervention strategies on Black/Latino gay/bisexual young men’s overall health and well-being. Traditional health interventions are deficit-based, health condition-specific, and often limited in their cultural-specificity. As health-related fields move toward holistic, evidence-based practices, new primary prevention approaches need to emerge. Using qualitative investigation strategies, this study included primary analysis of participatory workshop artifacts, and secondary analysis of survey and focus group data. This study identified critical factors necessary for the development of asset-based, culturally-responsive, social justice-oriented interventions that could serve as new, alternative prevention strategies for Black/Latino gay/bisexual young men. By applying intersectionality praxis to critical factor assessment, the study findings indicate that Black/Latino gay/bisexual young men conceptualize a cohesive, integrated, positive identity, but struggle through oppressive experiences along the way. However, by traversing through trepidation unique asset-enhancement strategies emerge. These young men at the intersection express deep commitment to self-acceptance, self-preservation, empowerment, and community advocacy, which may serve as intersectionality-based intervention and policy creation leverage points. These findings inform not only the formation of culturally-responsive interventions, but also societal infrastructure development, and systems-level change that could lead to new cultural norms and values leading to true health equity and social justice for Black/Latino gay/bisexual young men in the United States.

Recommended Citation

Brown, Justin T., "Expanding Intersectionality Praxis: Informing Culturally-Responsive Programming for Black and Latino Gay and Bisexual Young Men" (2017). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/1922