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Article
First Comes Marriage, Then Comes the Election: Macro-level Event Impacts on African American, Latina/x, and White Sexual Minority Women
Sexuality Research and Social Policy
  • Ellen D.B. Riggle, University of Kentucky
  • Laurie A. Drabble, San Jose State University
  • Alicia K. Matthews, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Cindy B. Veldhuis, Columbia University
  • Robyn A. Nisi, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Tonda L. Hughes, Columbia University
Publication Date
3-1-2021
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1007/s13178-020-00435-z
Abstract

Introduction: Sexual minority women (SMW) may have different experiences of macro-level events, such as changes in marriage laws or election outcomes, related to their multiple identities. African American, Latina/x, and White identities intersect with gender/sex and sexual identity to influence experiences at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, social, and political levels of the socio-ecological environment. Methods: Participants include 100 African American, 35 Latina/x, and 164 White SMW (N = 299) in wave 4 (2017–2019) of a longitudinal study of SMW’s health conducted in the USA (Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women Study). Responses to nine open-ended survey questions about marriage equality and the 2016 Presidential election were examined. Results: Thematic analysis noted similarities across groups and focused on group differences in four areas: (1) personal well-being (including fear and anxiety about discrimination; risk associated with masculine presentation; and religion as stress and support); (2) interpersonal relationships (including relationships with partners, family, and in a community); (3) societal discrimination and prejudice (including harassment in public spaces and concerns about travel); and (4) civil rights, government harassment, and police-state violence. Conclusions: Emerging differences emphasized the impact of race/ethnicity and the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender on experiences of marriage equality and the 2016 election. Policy Implications: Findings suggest that a more nuanced understanding of the experiences of individuals with different racial/racialized identities and the intersection of race/ethnicity with sexual identities is essential to creating culturally competent and effective supports for SMW.

Funding Number
F32AA025816
Funding Sponsor
National Institutes of Health
Keywords
  • 2016 election,
  • Intersectionality,
  • Minority stress,
  • Same-sex marriage,
  • Sexual minority women
Citation Information
Ellen D.B. Riggle, Laurie A. Drabble, Alicia K. Matthews, Cindy B. Veldhuis, et al.. "First Comes Marriage, Then Comes the Election: Macro-level Event Impacts on African American, Latina/x, and White Sexual Minority Women" Sexuality Research and Social Policy Vol. 18 Iss. 1 (2021) p. 112 - 126
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/laurie_drabble/120/