Queer and Trans People of Color's Experiences of Healing from Internalized Oppression

Queer and trans (QT) Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience unique forms of internalized oppression and resilience that is often missed in QT and BIPOC research. We interviewed 34 QT-BIPOC to explore their experiences of how QT-BIPOC heal from internalized oppression through individual and collective strategies. Analyses were strengthened through gaining additional feedback from participants to ensure our findings were rooted in the stories and voices of QT-BIPOC communities.

We recommend mental health professionals, community advocates, and researchers:

  • Depart from approaches that over-emphasize individualism and coping strategies and move towards a deeper and transformational model of healing.

  • Tailor clinical practice with QTNB-BIPOC to include knowledge of QTNB-BIPOC histories, approaches that foster critical consciousness that critique systems of oppression that are manifesting as internalized oppression, and practicing critical affirmations.

  • Foster group therapy, outreach, and organizational spaces that allow QTNB-BIPOC to engage in collective healing practices, such as sharing strategies for healing, processing traumas, and engaging in acts of kindness and collective hope.

  • We urge psychologists, activists, and policymakers to center the voices of QT-BIPOC in advocacy efforts and provide funding for the formation of QT-BIPOC-specific resources and organizations that aid in healing.

Artwork by Angelica Frausto

(Un)Learning Oppression and Reclaiming Self

Participants detailed the various ways they engaged in unlearning internalized oppression in their journeys toward healing. Whereas some QTNB-BIPOC centered their internal resources in their healing journeys, some drew from the vast and rich QTNB-BIPOC history as a source of healing. Ultimately, QTNB-BIPOC were able to draw from internal and historical wisdom to unlearn internalized oppressive messages, engage in rediscovery, and validate their experiences.

Artwork by Angelica Frausto

Critical Affirmation and Countering Oppression

QTNB-BIPOC described how they directly challenged oppressive stereotypes and views about their identities using critical affirmations and counter-narratives. QTNB-BIPOC are not simply coping with internalized oppression, but actively countering and rejecting internalized oppression via critical affirmations and actions that defy internalized oppression.

Artwork by Angelica Frausto

Resisting Normativity, Assimilation, and the “Either/Or”

Actively defying normativities and honoring one’s complex intersectional “both/and” experiences allowed QTNB-BIPOC to resist internalized oppression aimed to fragment or compartmentalize their sense of self. QTNB-BIPOC’s ability to internally reject oppressive normativities and “either/or” binaries translated into a radical sense of authenticity and self-love. Participants shared how the internal work to resist oppressive ideologies brought a sense of internal peace and motivation to live authentically despite oppressive systems seeking to marginalize their existence.

QTNB-BIPOC Collective Healing, Wisdom, and Solidarity

QTNB-BIPOC communicated how their healing from internalized oppression was not done in silo, but was intertwined and supported through their communities. Building intentional community spaces allowed QTNB-BIPOC to feel insulated by others with shared experiences that promoted joy and healing from internalized oppression. QTNB-BIPOC’s personal experiences of healing from internalized oppression was not only collective in nature, but also radiated outward towards other QTNB-BIPOC generations to promote community wellness.

Artwork by Angelica Frausto