Black Queer Networks: Navigating Identity and Belonging Across Urban Space

• In Event: 21061 - Section on Race, Gender, and Class Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 5: Mapping and Building Communities

Abstract

Sociopolitical discourse on race, sexuality, and gender—particularly concerning Black and transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) populations—often focuses on violence and disenfranchisement. However, the experiences of Black TGE communities beyond these narratives, particularly their strategies for cultivating belonging in urban spaces, remain understudied. Using Chicago as a case study, this research draws on 48 interviews with Black queer city residents—specifically those identifying as transgender and gender-expansive —to examine how they construct meaning from social identities and community networks. Participants shared diverse approaches to understanding identity, including biological features, “official” definitions, social interactions, and historical legacies. Despite these varied interpretations, shared identities are central to forming community networks that serve as “home” spaces and support unique forms of urban place-making. Participants highlighted the importance of Black and LGBTQ+ networks in fostering a sense of belonging, with some relocating or commuting long distances to access them, while others rely on online connections when physical proximity is not possible. This study underscores how Black TGE communities navigate intersections of race, place, and sexuality, offering critical insights into the fluidity of social categories and the role of community placemaking in cultivating belonging across urban spaces.

Author

• Rachel Leader, Northwestern University