"to feel supported in your community is to feel loved": Cultivating community and support for black transmasculine people navigating anti-black racism and covid-19 pandemic

Background: Black transmasculine people are disproportionately affected by a myriad of intersecting stressors including racism (specifically anti-Black racism), sexism, cissexism. Black transmasculine people are exposed daily to systemic oppression such as transphobia, dehumanization, and violence, making this community more vulnerable to mental health and physical health concerns. These experiences are further compounded by the lack of relevant literature on the unique experiences of Black transmasculine people during the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Black racism. Aims: Utilizing a critical intersectional lens and Prilleltensky's psychopolitical validity as guiding frameworks, the present study investigates the need for support and community within the Black transmasculine community in navigating anti-Black racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The researchers integrated intersectionality and Prilleltensky's psychopolitical validity as frameworks paired with the constructivist grounded theory paradigm outlined by Charmaz to analyze data. The researchers co-constructed meaning from participants' perspectives, providing a theoretical understanding for exploring Black transmasculine participants' perceptions of community and support during COVID-19 (N = 32). Results: The researchers developed a model of pathways toward community and support. The model suggests two levels: (a) locating awareness of community and support, and (b) integrated action toward community and support. The approaches are integrated from within group action and actions that can be facilitated from outside the community on micro and macro sociological levels to provide holistic support and community for Black transmasculine people. Discussion: This model extends the current literature on liberation, community psychology, and community support at the intersection of transgender people of color. This intervention can provide awareness, insight, and action for working alongside the Black transmasculine community their unique needs of support and community. These findings hope to enhance clinical practices, and identify strategies to promote community, support, and wellness among Black transmasculine people. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Young Black trans and gender-diverse activists' well-being among anti-Black racism and cissexism during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research has documented the negative mental health outcomes that anti-Black racism and cissexism, respectively, have had on Black and trans and gender-diverse (TGD) people during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research, however, has yet to explore the intersectional experiences of Black TGD young adults. Additionally, research has found that activists are often exposed to violence and discrimination. In this study, we aimed to understand how the intersection of anti-Black racism and cissexism has impacted young Black TGD activists' well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. A community sample of 15 Black TGD young adults participated in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed five themes and 14 subthemes, including (a) witnessing and experiencing violence (everyday violence, political violence, police violence, and medical violence, (b) motivating and sparking activism, (c) emotional impact (fear and anxiety, symptoms of depression, anger and frustration, and overwhelmed and shocked), (d) coping with violence and COVID-19 pandemic (activism, community connections and support, setting boundaries, self-reflection, positivity and hope, and activities and hobbies), and (e) safety precautions. We provide implications for practitioners working with young Black TGD activists such as engaging in civil disobedience within the bounds of their ethical duties. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Little is known about the intersectional experiences of young Black TGD activists and the impact of anti-Black racism and cissexism on the well-being of this community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study explores the impact that anti-Black racism and cissexism have had in a community sample of 15 young Black TGD activists during the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

"Coming together after tragedy reaffirms the strong sense of community and pride we have:" LGBTQ people find strength in community and cultural values during the COVID-19 pandemic

For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people, community and cultural values have served as protective factors during large scale events such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the 2016 Orlando Pulse Nightclub massacre. Little is known about how LGBTQ people are drawing on such values during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. The current study sought to explore this gap in the literature. Using thematic analysis, a sample of 130 LGBTQ participants shared how community and cultural values informed their experiences and reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic, including: (a) activism;(b) authenticity, pride, and visibility;(c) collective intergenerational resilience;(d) centering mental health;and (e) intersectionality and centering those most marginalized. Discussion focuses on implications for practice and activism for LGBTQ people such as addressing ways in which sense of community increases psychological well-being among LGBTQ people and partnering with community agencies to provide comprehensive services to LGBTQ people who are most marginalized. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Community and cultural values have served as a protective factors during large scale events for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. LGBTQ participants in this study shared how community and cultural values have informed their experiences and reactions to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic including engaging in activism, being authentic, visible, and displaying pride, relying on collective intergenerational resilience, centering their mental health and that of others, and tending to intersectionality and centering the voices of those most marginalized. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

"Previous resilience has taught me that I can survive anything:" LGBTQ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disproportionately negatively affected the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, a group who faces identity-based marginalization in society. LGBTQ resilience narratives are important in buffering against the negative impact of minority stress, but little is known about how LGBTQ people have been resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current research addresses this gap in the literature. Participants included 129 LGBTQ individuals who shared how they have been resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed three COVID-19-specific resilience themes, including: (1) Previous preparation fostered resilience, (2) Radical acceptance as resilience, and (3) Resilience through providing support and building community. Discussion explores how psychologists can work with LGBTQ people to identify and cultivate resilience narratives focused on self-love, self-acceptance, radical acceptance, and community resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement <strong xmlns:lang="en">Public Significance Statement-Resilience narratives are important for all people but are particularly important for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) people who face identity-based harassment, rejection, and societal stigmatization. LGBTQ participants shared their resilience narratives and identified how previous preparation fostered resilience during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, radical acceptance was a source of resilience, and resilience was seen through providing support and building community with other LGBTQ individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)