Biopsychosocial risk factors and health disparities for LGBTQ youth of color

LGBTQ Youth of Color (YoC) are at risk for greater health disparities because of the unique social marginalization and minoritization of their racial/ethnic and sexual orientation/gender identities. This chapter highlights the differential and unique biopsychosocial risk factors that impact the health and well-being of LGBTQ YoC, with a focus on the health disparities that are created for members of these communities. In particular, the social influences impacting racial/ethnic LGBTQ Youth are explored, with intersectional discrimination emerging as an important—yet understudied—psychosocial stress pathway in creating and maintaining health disparities for LGBTQ YoC. Implications for mental health and medical providers, health disparities researchers, and public policymakers advocating for LGBTQ PoC are discussed.