LGBTQ + POC Experiences of Meaning-Making to Externalize Oppression: A Critical Narrative Inquiry

Existing literature suggests that LGBTQ + POC may have access to cultural resources that help them to reinterpret and externalize oppression while negotiating and concealing their stigmatized social identities. We conducted a critical narrative study to understand the lived experiences and meaning-making structures of LGBTQ + POC as they negotiate and conceal their stigmatized social identities. Overall, findings from the ten participants narratives illustrated how they used an internally-felt ethnic-racial community and inherited values system that instilled strength, resiliency, and pride to make sense of themselves and others while concealing their stigmatized social identities. Implications for counseling practice as well as recommendations for future research, are discussed.