Research on LGBTQ+ emerging adult populations has primarily focused on discrimination that is experienced within the heterodominant culture. Due to systems of oppression and the forces of power and privilege, some sexual and gender minorities experience isolation and discrimination not only within the heterodominant culture, but within the LGBTQ+ community as well. Fourteen lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) young adults (20-25 years) with a diverse array of intersecting identities (e.g., gender, racial, ethnic, religious, cultural) participated in semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups. Participants reported on experiences of biphobia, acephobia, transphobia, gatekeeping the community, LGBTQ+ people of colour's experiences of racism within the community, other forms of oppression, and offered advice on areas of growth for the LGBTQ+ community. Findings provide insight into LGBTQ+ emerging adults experiences of discrimination and future research implications.

Although a large body of literature addresses sexual and gender identity development, little research has focused on definitions, conceptualization, and identification with LGBTQ+ culture. Fourteen LGBTQ+ emerging adults (age 20–25 years) with a diverse array of intersecting identities participated in semi-structured individual interviews aimed at exploring the construct of LGBTQ+ culture. Five of the 14 participants also participated in focus groups to further explore the conceptualization of LGBTQ+ culture that was identified in the individual interviews. Participants described the LGBTQ+ culture as a culture of survival, acceptance, and inclusion. Most participants reported a sense of pride and importance in identifying with the broader LGBTQ+ culture and believed it was beneficial in their identity development. A multidimensional conceptualization of LGBTQ+ identity development was proposed to understand the multiple levels of identifying as a marginalized sexual and/or gender diverse individual. We discuss implications for practice, education, and training.

Resiliency research suggests that connection to LGBTQ+ communities helps mitigate the negative impacts of oppression (i.e., community resilience). However, due to various interlocking systems of oppression, those with multiple marginalized identities [i.e., LGBTQ+ people of color (POC)] may not have equal access to LGBTQ+ community resilience resources. Despite the growing body of literature, little research has explored LGBTQ+ POC's experiences with the LGBTQ+ community from an intersectional framework to critique systems of oppression and provide implications for social justice. Fourteen LGBTQ+ POC participated in semistructured interviews to explore their experiences with protective factors of the LGBTQ+ community and the barriers they face in accessing community resilience. Findings supported three broad categories with subthemes: (1) LGBTQ+ Community Resilience Resources (i.e., Shared Narratives and Feeling Seen and Social Justice and Liberation), (2) Inequity to Accessing LGBTQ+ Community Resilience (i.e., Alienation and Exclusion, Disempowerment and Exploitation, and Invisibility), and (3) Making Space. Utilizing our intersectional framework, we provide implications for social justice advocacy as well as clinical and educational implications for counseling psychologists and community organizations. Public Significance StatementThis study found that LGBTQ+ POC felt connected to the broader LGBTQ+ community due to shared narratives and engagement in social justice, but simultaneously felt the negative effects of exclusion, disempowerment, and invisibility by the predominantly White LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ POC felt a strong connection with other LGBTQ+ POC and made space within the broader, White LGBTQ+ community to help cope with exclusion.

Although modern comprehensive conceptual models of sexual identity development acknowledge contextual factors, existing models have placed less emphasis on (a) the influence of multiple domains of identity on sexual identity formation and (b) centrality and negotiation of various domains of identity. The present study sought to explore processes, identity conflicts, and management of sexual identity relative to other identity domains among sexual minority emerging adults in the United States. Fourteen sexual minority emerging adults (20–25 years) with a diverse array of identities participated in semistructured individual interviews, and five participants engaged in two follow-up focus groups. Findings supported two broad categories with subthemes: identity conflict (unaffirming and oppressive contexts, lack of resources to explore identity) and identity coherence (resources used to manage and facilitate identity coherence; acceptance, affirmation, and harmony; and centrality and salience of sexual identity within identity configurations). Findings have implications for the study of sexual identity development within the context of other domains of identity.

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