BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY: RESILIENCE AMONG LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN SOUTH TEXAS

LOCATION: San Antonio, Texas

PROJECT SUMMARY: Research consistently shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals experience worse health outcomes than their heterosexual peers, with LGBTQ+ people of color experiencing a greater degree of the overall disease burden. In San Antonio, the LGBTQ+ community is predominantly composed of Latino and African-American individuals. However, recent research suggests that individuals with multiple marginalized identities (such as LGBTQ+ people of color) are often better equipped to handle stressful situations because of greater resilience they have developed, due in part to experiences of dual identity stigma. This research project seeks to understand:

  1. the current capacity of San Antonio to address the health and social needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
  2. the underlying factors that contribute to health issues impacting this community.
  3. the different ways in which the community copes with both racial/ethnic-related discrimination and sexuality-related discrimination.

These questions will be explored through the creation of a community advisory board, in-depth interviews, and surveys. The findings will not only allow us to understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in South Texas, but will help support Pride Center San Antonio, Equality Texas, Transgender Education Network of Texas, and many other LGBTQ+ groups in Texas.

TEAM MEMBERS

[Pictured from Left to Right]

  • Phillip W. Schnarrs, PhD, Assistant Professor, College of Education and Human Development, Department of Kinesiology, Health and Nutrition, University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Amy L. Stone, PhD, Associate Professor, Sociology and Anthropology, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas>
  • Robert L. Salcido, Jr., Executive Director and Board Chair, The Center—Pride Center San Antonio, Texas