Closets Are For Clothes:Being LGBT in Black America

March 29, 2012

Juan Battle - Antonio (Jay) Pastrana, Jr. - Jessie Daniels

In a 1986 speech titled "The New Niggers Are Gays," Bayard Rustin stated that …

Today, Blacks are no longer the litmus paper or the barometer of social change. Blacks are in every segment of society and there are laws that help to protect them from racial discrimination. The new "niggers" are gays. . . . It is in this sense that gay people are the new barometer for social change. . . . The question of social change should be framed with the most vulnerable group in mind: gay people.

• Let’s avoid false dichotomies (Black people vs. gay people)

• Who might be the “most vulnerable” today … beyond “gay people”?

• The Social Justice Sexuality (SJS) Project

< our purpose >

< document & celebrate >

< not pathologize >

< a jailhouse promise>

< sociopolitical mosaic >

<Other Studies>

<Diaz, et al; & Battle, et al>

<One Group>

<One Gender>

<Couples>

<Ethnographic>

<Easier to Measure>

<Sample(s) Looked the Same>

How is the SJS Study Unique/Different?

< Diversity in Groups Sampled>

< 5 Groups >

< Black People>

< Latinas/os>

< Asians & Pacific Islanders >

< Youth >

< Older Adults >

< Diversity in Topics Investigated>

< 5 Topic Areas >

< Sociopolitical Involvement>

< Family Formations & Dynamics>

< Spiritual & Religious Experiences>

< Racial & Sexual Identity>

< Mental & Physical Health >

Research Methods

Raise $$$ throughout the

entire process!!!

Purposive & Quota Sampling Strategy – Fill

Certain Cells

Piloted Multiple Times

Compromise on Questions

Translate & Back Translate

Ultimately, 105 Questions

Venue-based Sampling

• Phoenix Pride• Long Beach Pride• DC Black Pride• Portland Latino Pride• Orlando Black Pride/Gay Days• Austin Pride• New York Queens Pride• Boston SPYCE & Boston Pride• Central Alabama Pride (Birmingham)• Milwaukee Wisconsin Pride• Honolulu Pride• Denver Pride• New York Pride

Respondent-Driven

• Phoenix Pride• Long Beach Pride• DC Black Pride• Portland Latino Pride• Orlando Black Pride/Gay Days• Austin Pride• New York Queens Pride• Boston SPYCE & Boston Pride• Central Alabama Pride (Birmingham)• Milwaukee Wisconsin Pride• Honolulu Pride• Denver Pride• New York Pride

Snowball Sampling

• Columbia South Carolina Black Pride• New York Harlem Pride• Miami Beach Bruthaz Bash• Charlotte North Carolina Black Pride• Michigan's Womyn's Festival• Market Days• GMHC House of Latex Ball• Pueblo, CO Gay Pride• Twin Cities Black Pride & South Central MN

Pride• World Gay Rodeo Finals, Laughlin, NV

• Columbia South Carolina Black Pride• New York Harlem Pride• Miami Beach Bruthaz Bash• Charlotte North Carolina Black Pride• Michigan's Womyn's Festival• Market Days• GMHC House of Latex Ball• Pueblo, CO Gay Pride• Twin Cities Black Pride & South Central MN

Pride• World Gay Rodeo Finals, Laughlin, NV

Compromise on Locations

Internet

all 50 states

Survey Reach

Survey Reach

and Puerto Rico

Our Partner Organizations

Did I mention: Raise $$$ throughout the entire process!!!

< 175+ people >

< Total Sample Size = 5,500 >

Delete cases because of …

< respondent fatigue>

< data integrity>

< N = 4,953 >

Black Sample: N = 2,166

Multiple health concerns caused by homelessness

Demographics

Demographics Age 18-81, mean = 36

Demographics Age 18-81, mean = 36

Average EducationAssociates Degree

Demographics Age 18-81, mean = 36

Average EducationAssociates Degree

Average IncomeBetween $20,000-$30,000

Demographics

Gender

Age 18-81, mean = 36

Average EducationSome college, no degree

Average IncomeBetween $20,000-$30,000

52.7%43.2%

4.1%

MaleFemaleGender Variant

<Sociopolitical Involvement>

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

What are the three (3) most important issues facing you?

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

What are the three (3) most important issues facing you?

Equality/Acceptance (does not include family)

Marriage/ Domestic Partnership

Nondiscrimination Economic Issues

9.9%

9.9%

21.9%

Top Three Issues Facing "Me"

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

In your opinion, what are the three (3) most important issues facing LGBT communities ofcolor in the U.S.?

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

In your opinion, what are the three (3) most important issues facing LGBT communities ofcolor in the U.S.?

Equality/Acceptance (does not include fam-

ily)

Discrimination

HIV/AIDS/Sexual Health Edu

12.9%

14.5%

15.7%

Top Three Issues "LGBT Communities of Color“

Face in the U.S.

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

How much of an impact would the legalization of same-sex marriage

have on your life?

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

How much of an impact would legalization

of same-sex marriage have on your life?

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

6

4.57 4.50

Impact of same-sex marriage on my life (ND)

A large im-pact

No impact at all

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

Is homophobia aproblem in your racial/ethnic community, neighborhood and/or in all communities of color?(composite)

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

Is homophobia aproblem in your racial/ethnic community, neighborhood and/or in all communities of color?

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

6

Homophobia is a problem (ND)Strongly agree

Strongly dis-agree

4.284.17

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT CommunitiesConnected to LGBT Community

(composite)

I feel connected to my local LGBT community.

I feel that the problems faced by the LGBT community are also my

problems.

I feel a bond with other LGBT people.

Sociopolitical Involvement & LGBT Communities

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

6

Connected to LGBT Community ***(composite)

4.12

Strongly agree

Strongly dis-agree

4.02

<Spirituality & Religion>

Spirituality and ReligionSpirituality

(composite) I pray daily.

I look to my faith as providing meaning and purpose to my life.

I consider myself active in my faith or religious tradition.

I enjoy being around others who share my faith.

My faith impacts many of my decisions.

Spirituality and Religion

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

Spirituality***(composite) Strongly

Agree

Strongly dis-agree

2.35

2.94

Spirituality and Religion

How often do you attend religious

services?

Spirituality and Religion

How often do you attend religious services?

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Attendance frequency to religious services***

Every week

Never

1-2 a year

Once a month

1-2 a month

Several times a year

3.12

4.45

Spirituality and ReligionThinking about your sexual identity, how much has your

religious tradition or spiritual practice been a negative or positive influence for your coming to terms with

your LGBT identity?

Spirituality and ReligionThinking about your sexual identity, how much has your religious tradition or spiritual

practice been a negative influence for your coming to terms with your LGBT identity?

Not Black Black1234567

Religious Tradition Important for Sexual Identity (ND)

Negative Influ-ence

Positive Influ-ence

3.543.85

Spirituality and Religion

What religion do you

currently practice?

Spirituality and ReligionReligion currently practicing ***

None

Muslim/ Islam

Jew

Catholic

Protestant

Other

0.6%

5.5%

7.9%

18.3%

25.5%

42.3%

1.4%

5.3%

16.9%

8.3%

39.0%

29.1%

Black Not Black

<Sexual, Racial/Ethnic Identity>

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

Do you feel that your sexual

orientation is an important part of

your identity?

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

Do you feel that your sexual orientation is an important part of your identity?

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

6

Sexual Orienation is Important***Extremely important

Not important at all

4.794.51

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic IdentityHow many people within your community

are you “out” to?

FamilyFriendsReligious communityCo-workersPeople in the neighborhoodPeople online

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

Outness ***(Composite) All

Most

About half

Some

None

3.73 3.55

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

Frien

ds

Family

Peop

le on

line

Co-w

orkers

Neighb

orhoo

d

Religio

us co

mmunity

50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Who are you "out" to?

96.890.3 88.4

83.476.4

72.5

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

As a LGBT person, how much do you now feel supported by your family?

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

As a LGBT person, how much do you now feel supported by your family?

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

6

Family Support (ND) Completely supported

Not supported at all

4.37 4.34

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

How old were you when you first “came out” to

yourself: that is, how old were you when you first

knew you were “not straight”?

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

How old were you when you first “came out” to yourself: that

is, how old were you when you first knew you were “not

straight”?

Not Black Black10

15

20

Age: First Came Out to Myself (ND)

16.17 16.12

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

Do you feel that your racial or ethnic status is an important part of your identity?

Sexual, Racial and Ethnic Identity

Do you feel that your racial or ethnic status is an important part of your identity? Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

6

Racial Identity is Important***Extremely important

Not important at all

3.74

4.5

<Health & Health Care>

Health & Health Care

In general would you say that

your health is?

Health & Health Care

In general would you say that your

health is?

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

5

General Health*

Poor

Fair

Good

Very good

Excellent

3.62 3.68

Health & Health CareOver the past week, how often have you

felt:

That you were just as good as other people

Hopeful about the future

Happy

That you enjoyed life

Health & Health Care

Not Black Black1

2

3

4

Happy (ND)(composite)Most of the time

Never

A lot of the time

Sometimes

3.24 3.26

Health & Health Care

Do you now smoke?

Health & Health CareSmoke now ***

31.6%

68.4%

Not Black

YesNo

26.7%

73.3%

Black

YesNo

Health & Health Care

Do you have health insurance?

Health & Health CareHealth Insurance**

77%

23%

Not Black

YesNo

79.9%

20.1%

Black

YesNo

Health & Health Care

Do you have a regular doctor or health care provider?

Health & Health CareHealth Care Provider***

75.4%

24.6%

Not Black

YesNo

80.9%

19.1%

Black

YesNo

Next Steps?

Examine ethnic differences within this

racial group

Compare results to race-specific non-LGBT sample

Dissemination:Four Strategies

Video Series

Social Media Outreach

Fact sheets & data dissemination to partners

High-Impact Academic & Policy Dissemination

Thank you!

Compromise on Locations