Tangled Web of Oppression: Intersectional Predictors of Harassment Among Cisgender Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Adults

Background & Purpose: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) cisgender individuals are more likely to experience harassment based on their sexual orientation compared with their heterosexual cisgender counterparts. Furthermore, research finds other socio-demographic characteristics may exacerbate experiences of anti-LGBQ harassment. This study examines the prevalence of harassment of LGBQ individuals and which factors are associated with these experiences.

Methods: The authors conducted secondary data analysis of data from the 2010 One Colorado LGBTQ Community Needs Assessment Survey (N=4,619), examining rates of venue-based harassment for cisgender LGBQ individuals. After removing individuals who identified as transgender and/or heterosexual, the analytic sample was 3,708 individuals. Experiences of harassment were assessed in a set of venue-based questions that asked respondents indicate how frequently they experienced harassment based on their sexual orientation in the last year.

Chi-square test of independence were used to determine any significant differences in the prevalence of venue-based harassment based on sexual orientation and racial identity for LGBQ individuals. Demographic characteristics were analyzed in a multivariate binary logistic regression model to determine which factors predict venue-based anti-LGBQ harassment.

Results:

Chi-square results indicated statistically significant associations between experiences of harassment and sexual orientation in several venues. Bisexual and queer respondents were more likely to experience harassment than lesbian and gay cisgender individuals in schools (χ²(3,3657) = 61.79, p < .001), in the home (χ²(3,3813) = 46.50, p < .001), on the streets (χ²(3,3674) = 21.35, p < .001), and by police officers, firefighters, and other civil servants (χ²(3,3673) = 12.41, p < .01). In addition, chi-square results indicated statistically significant associations between experiences of harassment and racial identity; cisgender LGBQ people of color (POC) respondents were more likely to experiences anti-LGBQ harassment in schools (χ²(1,3657) = 14.78, p < .001), and by police officers, firefighters, and other civil servants (χ²(1,3673) = 18.87, p < .01) than White respondents.

Logistic regression results indicated that identifying as bisexual (OR =.69) or queer (OR = .60), and increases in age (ORs = 4.16 – 25.24) were predictive of anti-LGBQ harassment at school. For experiencing harassment at home or by family results indicated that identifying as lesbian (OR = .79), bisexual (OR =.68), or queer (OR = .52), and increases in age (ORs = 1.51 – 8.44) were significant predictors of LGBQ harassment. Identifying as bisexual (OR =.1.73) and increases in age (ORs = 1.14 – 7.33) were predictive of anti-LGBQ harassment on the streets. In the final model examining harassment by police or civil servants, identifying as a POC (OR =.67), identifying as lesbian (OR = .1.28), and being between the ages of 55 – 64 (OR = 1.53) were significant predictors of harassment.  

Conclusions:

Findings indicate a need for intersectional support of cisgender LBGQ individuals by social workers, recognizing the roles that age, sexual orientation, and race play in experiences of harassment. Future research is needed to understand these nuanced crossroads of identities, and how they influence health outcomes. In addition, future research is needed to explore experiences of transgender individuals.