Navigating university life as a Black LGBTQ+ student often involves balancing between predominantly white LGBTQ+ spaces and predominantly cisgender-heterosexual¹ (cis-het) Black spaces, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities. We are often forced to separate our Black identity and queer identity in order to safely experience and enjoy both Black spaces and queer spaces. This often leaves us leading two lives that rarely meet: one dedicated to the Black experience and the other to the queer experience.
During my time at King’s College London, I experienced firsthand the difficulties of finding a space where all aspects of my identity were acknowledged and respected. I often struggled to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of my intersectional identities, especially within the university context where intersectionality is not prioritized. As a result, I have developed a few nuggets of advice for how to navigate these spaces in a way that is not detrimental to one’s wellbeing.
Navigating predominantly white LGBTQ+ spaces
In predominantly white LGBTQ+ spaces, Black students often face microaggressions, fetishisation, and a lack of cultural understanding.
The dominant narrative tends to prioritise issues faced by white LGBTQ+ individuals, often marginalising the experiences of racialised members. This can lead to feelings of isolation and carrying the burden of having to educate peers about racial experiences on top of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. During my time at university, I encountered these challenges firsthand.
My Advice for Navigating Predominately White LGBTQ+ Spaces:
Find or Form a Subcommunity: Seek out or create spaces within these groups that specifically address the intersection of race and LGBTQ+ identities. This could be a subcommittee or an informal support group. At King's College London, I co-founded the first ratified society for QTIPOC (Queer, Trans & Intersex People of Colour) students, which began as a small gathering of friends sharing their stories and grew into an official, recognized society with university backing.
Self-Care and Boundaries: It's okay to step back and prioritise your mental health Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge, whether it's spending time with friends, engaging in hobbies, or practicing mindfulness. Understand your limits and set boundaries to protect your wellbeing.
Education and Advocacy: If you feel safe, comfortable and motivated to do so, use your voice to advocate for more inclusive practices and policies. Collaborate with allies to amplify your efforts. Create or participate in events that highlight intersectional issues, such as workshops, panel discussions, or social gatherings that focus on the experiences of QTIPOC students. Advocacy can help bring about institutional changes and foster a more inclusive environment.
Navigating predominately cis-het Black spaces
On the other hand, predominantly cis-het Black spaces present their own set of challenges. While these environments offer a strong sense of cultural belonging, you may find the acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities is limited, and our experiences can be misunderstood or dismissed. Queerphobia² may be more pronounced in these spaces, making them spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically unsafe. This can lead to feelings of having to hide parts of your identity when in these spaces. However, these spaces also provide a strong sense of cultural belonging and community, offering a shared understanding of the challenges faced by Black individuals.
My advice for navigating predominately Cis-Het Black Spaces
Identify allies: Look for individuals within these spaces who are supportive and understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences. Building a network of allies can provide crucial support and create a safer environment for expressing your full identity.
Cultural engagement: Stay connected to your cultural roots and traditions. This can provide a grounding sense of identity and belonging. Engaging with your culture can help maintain a sense of pride and resilience.
Education and dialogue: Where safe and possible, engage in conversations to raise awareness and foster acceptance. Sharing personal stories can humanize LGBTQ+ issues and create empathy. Education can be a powerful tool for breaking down prejudices and building understanding. The Trevor Project have created a guide specifically for Black LGBTQ+ youth that may assist you in navigating these conversations.
Finding and creating dedicated Black queer spaces
Balancing between these two spaces often feels like an impossible choice, as each offers support in different ways while also presenting significant barriers. The lack of dedicated spaces for Black LGBTQ+ students within the university community highlights a significant issue. However, choosing isn’t the only option. If you have the energy, time, and passion, you can help transform these traditional spaces into more inclusive and understanding spaces for Black queer students through using your voice or you can create new spaces or you can find spaces outside your university community.
Form coalitions: Work with like-minded peers to create dedicated spaces or groups that specifically address the intersection of race and LGBTQ+ identities. This can be within existing organizations or as entirely new initiatives.
Institutional support: Advocate for your university to recognize and support the creation of these spaces. Highlight the importance of intersectional support networks for student wellbeing. Institutional backing can provide the resources and legitimacy needed for these spaces to thrive.
Community building: Use social media and other platforms to connect with Black LGBTQ+ students at other universities. Building a wider network can provide additional support and resources. Consider connecting with broader communities, such as the ballroom community, which has a rich history of supporting Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
Disclaimer:
It's important to acknowledge that advocacy isn't for everyone. The emotional labor and potential risks involved can be significant. If you find that advocacy is not something you can or want to engage in, that is perfectly okay. Focus on what you need to do to take care of yourself and find support in ways that work best for you.
Glossary of terms
1 - Cisgender-Heterosexual. The word cisgender describes a person whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth, i.e. someone who is not transgender. The word heterosexual describes a person who experiences attraction only to those of the opposite sex or gender, referred to colloquially as ‘straight’. When combined, they are used to describe those who do not identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
2 - Queerphobia. The word queerphobia describes hatred directed towards members of the LGBTQ+ community. Queerphobia includes homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and all other forms of hate towards LGBTQ+ identities.