Considering First Nations LGBTIQ+ identity in anti-racist healthcare: Relations between comfort in healthcare, microaggressions and wellbeing

Bep Uink (She/Her); Rebecca Bennett (she/her); Sian Bennett; Dameyon Bonson; Braden Hill

doi:10.1016/j.fnhli.2024.100027

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Considering First Nations LGBTIQ+ identity in anti-racist healthcare: Relations between comfort in healthcare, microaggressions and wellbeing

Journal article

Open access

Considering First Nations LGBTIQ+ identity in anti-racist healthcare: Relations between comfort in healthcare, microaggressions and wellbeing

Bep Uink (She/Her), Rebecca Bennett (she/her), Sian Bennett, Dameyon Bonson and Braden Hill

First Nations Health and Wellbeing - The Lowitja Journal, Vol.2, 100027

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fnhli.2024.100027

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Abstract

Anti-racist

Intersectional

LGBTQ

Microaggressions

Settler-colonial racism

First Nations scholars and practitioners have increasingly called for anti-racist healthcare to address disparate health outcomes between First Nations and non-First Nations Australians. However, these arguments largely miss the significant negative impact that colonial heterosexism and cisgenderism (i.e. discrimination and marginalisation of queer and transgender peoples) have on LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning) First Nations peoples’ wellbeing. To address this gap, survey data from 63 First Nations LGBTIQ+ adults in Western Australia were utilised to illustrate the impact of racism, heterosexism and cisgenderism in healthcare settings on First Nations LGBTIQ+ peoples’ wellbeing. This study examined relations between participant wellbeing and 1) their comfort in being asked about their LGBTIQ+ and First Nations identity by a health provider, and 2) their experiences of race-based and LGBTIQ+-based discrimination (microaggressions) in broader community settings. Higher comfort in being asked about LGBTIQ+ identity was associated with higher wellbeing, whereas experiencing LGBTIQ+-based microaggressions within First Nations communities was associated with lower wellbeing. These findings add to the literature by showing that First Nations LGBTIQ+ patients experience additional discrimination. This paper also discusses findings with reference to settler-colonial racism (i.e. the racism enacted against First Nations LGBTIQ+ peoples to maintain settler norms and control) and offers suggestions for updating anti-racist healthcare.

Details

Title: Considering First Nations LGBTIQ+ identity in anti-racist healthcare: Relations between comfort in healthcare, microaggressions and wellbeing
Authors/Creators: Bep Uink (She/Her) (Author) - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Rebecca Bennett (she/her) (Author) - Murdoch University
Sian Bennett (Author) - Edith Cowan University
Dameyon Bonson (Author) - Shadow Black Pty Ltd, JCK Nasty Studio, Northern Territory, Australia
Braden Hill (Author) - Edith Cowan University
Publication Details: First Nations Health and Wellbeing - The Lowitja Journal, Vol.2, 100027
Publisher: Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Lowitja Institute (National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Ltd).
Identifiers: 991005898662807891
Murdoch Affiliation: Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre; School of Indigenous Knowledges; Vice Chancellery
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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