UCLA

Background and Aims: Queer femme Latinx men, trans, and gender variant individuals live in a complex fabric of intersecting structures of oppression including, but not limited to, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, poverty, citizenship status, internalized homophobia, internalized racism and linguistic hierarchy. Consequently, queer femme Latinx individuals navigate complex identities that are often not understood or adequately researched. While empirical research highlights how minoritized identities may negatively impact psychosocial functioning, mental health, and well-being, we still do not have a clear understanding of how individual queer femme Latinx navigate their identities in relation to these structures of oppression. This project seeks to understand how queer femme Latinx individuals subjectively understand their lived experiences.Methods: This phenomenological study is theoretically grounded in intersectionality. Individual semi-structured in-depth interviews with open-ended questions were conducted via Zoom with participants who reside in the state of California, were 18 to 30, self-identify as queer femme men, trans, or gender variant and as Latinx. Recruitment was conducted via a purposive sampling method initiated with a recruitment email sent to LGBTQ+ and Latinx resource centers and university-level academic departments across California. Results: 10 interviews were conducted. The analysis revealed four major themes: (1) “there is no particular way of existing; (2) “safety isn’t guaranteed;” (3) “the different personas you create”; and (4) “reminding myself I’m worth it.” Participants shared a common understanding of feeling a sense of limitlessness and freedom in their identities. They understood safety isn’t guaranteed and discussed the need to create different personas as an adaptive behavior, while, being able to remind themselves they are worth it and practice selflove. Finally, participants were able to use community resources, knowledge building, and peer/family support to strengthen their own identity understanding. Conclusion and Implications: This study provides an inclusive and intersectional understanding of the queer femme Latinx individual experience. Implications for social work practice include developing culturally-based and contextually situated interventions that support well-being and identity management. Particularly, this study shows queer femme Latinx individuals have a strong awareness of their own worth and are able to practice selflove. Social work practitioners could assist queer femme Latinx individuals understand the role of their adaptive behaviors while promoting selflove. Additionally, enhancing relationships with service-providing agencies to building a cohesive community of support to help normalize queer femme Latinx individuals’ experiences could support queer femme Latinx individual’s well-being and identity management.