Minority stress, resilience and community in LGBTQ+ adults in Trinidad and Tobago: A qualitative study

Individuals who fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella still face pervasive systemic prejudice and discrimination worldwide, resulting in a multitude of challenges in various spheres of life and increasing their risk for poor health outcomes, such as mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. To buffer against the negative effects of this unequal treatment, which can be conceptualised as minority stress, LGBTQ+ people may employ a variety of individual and community resilience strategies. Although the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals may vary greatly depending on context, the majority of psychological research on this population to date has focused on individuals from Western, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic countries, with relatively limited research on LGBTQ+ individuals from smaller countries such as those in the Caribbean region. This qualitative study analysed semi-structured interviews with 21 LGBTQ+ adults in Trinidad and Tobago to understand how they experience, confront, cope with, and challenge prejudice related to their identities. Six key themes were identified through thematic analysis: (1) Varied family dynamics of non-acceptance and support, (2) Experiences of discrimination in public spheres, (3) Exclusion and discrimination within the LGBTQ+ community, (4) Navigating identity disclosure and self-expression, (5) Psychological and emotional impact of prejudice, and (6) Resilience and resistance. These findings provide insight into the stress that LGBTQ+ adults in Trinidad and Tobago experience related to societal prejudice in various spheres of life, and the diversity of individual and community resources they draw on to remain resilient, resist systemic oppression, and advocate for equality.