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Abstract #151032

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Kamilah F. Majied, PhD, LICSW and Tamarah Moss-Knight, MPH, MSW. School of Social Work, Howard University, 601 Howard Place, NW, Washington, DC 20059, (202) 806-7300, kamilahmajied@yahoo.com

Increasingly research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangendered, questioning, and intersexed (LGBTQI) people of color highlights the need for cultural sensitivity with regard to exploring how sexual orientation and gender are experienced. A paradigmatic approach to research with LGBTQI people of the African Diaspora, particularly those living in developing countries, is presented. The authors' research, as part of the International Sexuality and Mental Health Research Project, focuses on examining the impact of racism and homophobia on mental health amongst Black people in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States.

The mission of the project is to advance knowledge, improve health and human service practice, and positively contribute to the lives and communities under examination by providing a space for participants to speak to issues that concern them, particularly issues related to oppression and mental health and to advance social justice.

While many social workers and other health professionals have a commitment to aiding oppressed populations, there is limited information available to them on the impact of oppression on mental health. There is even less information on factors that moderate that impact. The research findings will also further the knowledge base about multiple identities and provide information about the relationship between sexual LGBT oppression and mental health among people in the African Diaspora.

The authors will describe their mixed-method study, review preliminary findings, provide lessons learned from research with international LGBTQI communities, describe the role of race and ethnicity, and discuss implications for social policy, public health practice and social services.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Participants will gain knowledge of the variables that intersect with sexual orientation as they impact mental health among people in the African Diaspora
• 2. Participants will be able to describe the role of race and ethnicity as it relates to health, oppression, and sexual identity
• 3. Participants will be able to identify and assess clinical issues related to oppressive experiences
• 4. Participants will learn how to assist clients in limiting the impact of oppression on mental health and social functioning
• 5. Participants will gain understanding, and be able to discuss lessons learned from research with the sample international LGBTQI communities in the African Diaspora and the broader implications

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout