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Health and wellbeing at the intersection of gender modality and ethnicity in Australia.

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Title: Health and wellbeing at the intersection of gender modality and ethnicity in Australia.
Authors: Tan, Kian Jin, Anderson, Joel R., Amos, Natalie, de la Piedad Garcia, Xochitl, Thai, Michael, Hill, Adam O., Carman, Marina, Bourne, Adam
Source: Australian Psychologist. Oct2025, Vol. 60 Issue 5, p380-394. 15p.
Subjects: Asexual people, Ethnic groups, Self-evaluation, World Wide Web, Transphobia, Health status indicators, Gender identity, Psychological distress, Secondary analysis, T-test (Statistics), Data analysis, Health, Culture, Psychology of LGBTQ+ people, Questionnaires, Age distribution, Minority stress, Analysis of covariance, Descriptive statistics, Surveys, Intersectionality, Cisgender people, Statistics, Interpersonal relations, Application software, Data analysis software, Psychosocial factors, Patients' attitudes, Patient aftercare
Geographic Terms: Australia
Abstract: Objective: Prejudice is widely experienced by LGBTQA+ individuals, but the specific effects of intersectional discrimination on trans people of colour in Australia remain underexplored. This study used data from Private Lives 3, a national survey, to examine discrimination, health, and wellbeing outcomes among different gender and ethnocultural groups within the Australian LGBTQA+ community. Method: Measures included perceived racism (unfair treatment due to ethnicity), self-reports of general health and wellbeing, psychological distress, acceptance (in public, LGBT, and healthcare settings), and LGBT community connectedness. We hypothesised that LGBTQA+ people of colour would report lower levels of acceptance, community connectedness, general health and wellbeing outcomes compared to LGBTQA+ Anglo-Australian people, with trans people of colour experiencing larger disparities. The sample included 94 trans people of colour, 425 cisgender LGB+ people of colour, 860 trans Anglo-Australians, and 2,818 cisgender LGB+ Anglo-Australians. Results: A 2 × 2ANCOVA (controlling for age) showed trans people of colour reported higher levels of perceived racism compared to all other groups. Trans participants (regardless of ethnicity) reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress and poorer health and wellbeing. However, there were no significant differences were found in community connectedness between groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that people with multiple marginalised identities (specifically, being trans and a person of colour) may exacerbate experiences of discrimination and negatively impact their health. This highlights the importance of using intersectional approaches in research and clinical practice when working with LGBTQA+ people. Key points: What is already known about this topic: Trans clients are at elevated risk of psychological distress and poor health outcomes, largely due to exposure to minority stressors. LGBTQA+ people of colour often experience racism both within mainstream society and within LGBTQA+ communities. Intersectionality theory indicates that multiple marginalised identities (e.g. being both trans and a person of colour) can compound risk factors for mental health difficulties. What this topic adds: Trans people of colour in Australia reported the highest levels of perceived racial discrimination, suggesting that racism is intensified when combined with transphobia – an important clinical consideration in assessment and formulation. Trans people of colour reported similar levels of community connectedness as other LGBTQA+ groups, suggesting that affirming community ties may serve as a protective factor worth supporting in therapy. The findings underscore the need for psychologists to adopt more explicitly intersectional approaches in practice so as to address the unique experiences of trans clients of colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Objective: Prejudice is widely experienced by LGBTQA+ individuals, but the specific effects of intersectional discrimination on trans people of colour in Australia remain underexplored. This study used data from Private Lives 3, a national survey, to examine discrimination, health, and wellbeing outcomes among different gender and ethnocultural groups within the Australian LGBTQA+ community. Method: Measures included perceived racism (unfair treatment due to ethnicity), self-reports of general health and wellbeing, psychological distress, acceptance (in public, LGBT, and healthcare settings), and LGBT community connectedness. We hypothesised that LGBTQA+ people of colour would report lower levels of acceptance, community connectedness, general health and wellbeing outcomes compared to LGBTQA+ Anglo-Australian people, with trans people of colour experiencing larger disparities. The sample included 94 trans people of colour, 425 cisgender LGB+ people of colour, 860 trans Anglo-Australians, and 2,818 cisgender LGB+ Anglo-Australians. Results: A 2 × 2ANCOVA (controlling for age) showed trans people of colour reported higher levels of perceived racism compared to all other groups. Trans participants (regardless of ethnicity) reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress and poorer health and wellbeing. However, there were no significant differences were found in community connectedness between groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that people with multiple marginalised identities (specifically, being trans and a person of colour) may exacerbate experiences of discrimination and negatively impact their health. This highlights the importance of using intersectional approaches in research and clinical practice when working with LGBTQA+ people. Key points: What is already known about this topic: Trans clients are at elevated risk of psychological distress and poor health outcomes, largely due to exposure to minority stressors. LGBTQA+ people of colour often experience racism both within mainstream society and within LGBTQA+ communities. Intersectionality theory indicates that multiple marginalised identities (e.g. being both trans and a person of colour) can compound risk factors for mental health difficulties. What this topic adds: Trans people of colour in Australia reported the highest levels of perceived racial discrimination, suggesting that racism is intensified when combined with transphobia – an important clinical consideration in assessment and formulation. Trans people of colour reported similar levels of community connectedness as other LGBTQA+ groups, suggesting that affirming community ties may serve as a protective factor worth supporting in therapy. The findings underscore the need for psychologists to adopt more explicitly intersectional approaches in practice so as to address the unique experiences of trans clients of colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00050067
DOI:10.1080/00050067.2025.2511166