Intersectional Approaches to Healthcare Access for Racialized Lgbtqi+ Migrants: Community Alliances and Systemic Barriers

This presentation addresses the compounded health disparities faced by racialized LGBTQI+ migrants, emphasizing the intersection of race, migration status, sexual orientation, and gender identity as key factors influencing access to healthcare. These populations face structural barriers such as xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and transphobia, all of which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions to social services have worsened health outcomes and wellbeing for these vulnerable groups, highlighting the urgent need for targeted, intersectional strategies to address these inequities.

While existing research has focused on the social determinants of health, few studies explore the agency and resilience of racialized LGBTQI+ migrants in overcoming these challenges. This presentation contributes to the proposed session’s goals by examining the role of community engagement and intersectoral collaboration in mitigating health disparities. Drawing on the partnership between the Mauve Clinic and AGIR, an organization supporting LGBTQI+ migrants in Quebec, this presentation showcases how alliances between healthcare providers and community organizations can create more equitable access to care.

Through an intersectional lens, this research explores strategies for overcoming structural barriers, focusing on case studies and the empirical outcomes of these partnerships. Methodologically, the presentation draws from a field study conducted between October 2023 and June 2024, including semi-structured interviews and participant observation. These findings offer practical insights for designing inclusive healthcare interventions that address the compounded vulnerabilities of racialized LGBTQI+ migrants.

This presentation aligns with the session's emphasis on vulnerable populations by not only analyzing systemic barriers but also highlighting actionable strategies through community collaboration. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of how intersectional approaches can inform healthcare policy and practice, ultimately promoting the health and wellbeing of marginalized populations.