Speak out! Structural intersectionality and anti-oppresive practice with LGBTQ refugees in Canada

This article aims to contribute to social work scholarship about LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer) migrants by drawing from a community-based research project about the experiences of queer and trans refugees living in Canada. The authors aim to explore the findings from this project by employing critical intersectionality analysis, with a particular focus on structural intersectionality. This intersectional analysis will be linked with key aspects of queer, trans, and critical race theory, in order to reveal the ways heteronormativity, cisnormativity, and processes of racialization shape and organize the everyday lives of queer and trans refugees. In addition, the authors will explore the implications of the findings and analysis, for those providing services and/or engaging in community organizing with queer and trans people with refugee experiences. The authors aim is to draw from and synthesize the perspectives of the social workers and community organizers interviewed for this project, in order to introduce an anti-oppressive practice model for supporting queer and trans refugees in Canada