Conducting Research on LGBTQ Youth of Color: Challenges and Future Directions

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Abstract

There has been an emergence of literature on the experiences of LGBTQ youth of color, such as issues around criminal justice and health disparities. Given these disparities that LGBTQ youth of color experience, researchers come in with the intention to better the lives of this population, but they may not be fully aware that the ways they go about doing this work can maintain or even reinforce inequities that created the problems in the first place. Panelists will provide a brief overview of their research experience, and then respond to questions around challenges and future directions for conducting research with LGBTQ youth of color. With regard to ethical and methodological issues, panelists will consider issues such as: How do we discuss about LGBTQ youth of color issues without further pathologizing them?; Because LGBTQ youth of color are not a monolithic group, how do we use intersectionality as a framework in our work with this population? With regard to future directions, questions will include: How can theoretical and methodological considerations further our understanding of LGBTQ youth of color with regard to multiple identities? This panel discussion will offer researchers, who are currently conducting or want to conduct research on LGBTQ youth of color, ways to do this work that are more equitable, inclusive, and thoughtful.
Organizer: Nhan Truong (GLSEN). Moderator: Adrian Zongrone (GLSEN). Panelists: Nhan Truong (GLSEN), Jerel Calzo (San Diego State University), Juan Del Toro (University of Pittsburgh), and Alison Cerezo (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Sub Unit

• Diversity, Equity & Social Justice

Moderator

• Adrian Zongrone, GLSEN

Panelists

• Nhan Truong, GLSEN

• Jerel P Calzo, San Diego State University

• Alison Cerezo, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Juan Del Toro, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities