Intersectionality is a key idea that grew out of the third-wave feminist movement (which you will learn more about in the section “Movements for Change: Feminism”) and feminist analyses of how gender and race are socially constructed. As you learned in Chapter 2, intersectionality is the idea that inequalities produced by multiple and interconnected social characteristics can influence the life course of an individual or group. Intersectionality, then, suggests that we should view gender, race, class, and sexuality not as individual characteristics but as interconnected social situations.

This perspective allows us to appreciate the ways different social structures and aspects of our identities intersect. For example, intersectionality allows us to understand how a person’s identity and life experiences are shaped by racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia (among other systems of oppression). At the “intersection” of various social forces, we experience ways of being and moving about the world that differ from another person whose social location may be distinct from our own.

Intersectionality also examines how interlocking systems of power affect the most marginalized people in a society. From an intersectional perspective, multiple forms of discrimination combine and transform the experience of oppression. The purpose of using an intersectional lens is to understand how overlapping categories of identity change in combination with each other and how they impact individuals and institutions. The framework of intersectionality is essential to studying relations of privilege and power in efforts to promote social and political equity.

The Origin of Intersectionality

The theory of intersectionality was first articulated by Kimberlé Crenshaw (figure 9.15), a lawyer and critical race theorist who was trying to understand how antidiscrimination law could fail to account for how a Black woman might be discriminated against (Crenshaw 1989). She developed the analogy of an “inter-section” where racism and sexism meet to help us understand and see how multiple aspects of our identities—and multiple social forces that helped to shape those identities—could impact us. Crenshaw invented the term intersectionality in 1989, and it was adopted in the years that followed by feminist scholars. More than 30 years later, the idea of intersectionality is still an urgent one. Explore Crenshaw’s 2016 TED talk, “The Urgency of Intersectionality [Streaming Video]” if you wish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akOe5-UsQ2o&t=2s

Intersectionality and Inequality

Examining the intersection of gender, sexuality, and race provides us with an opportunity to better understand inequalities within social institutions. In addition to facing potential conformity pressures around gender and sexuality, queer youth of color may have limited social support to help them navigate the hostile environments they encounter regularly. Nationwide, schools are hostile environments for LGBTQIA+ and gender nonconforming students of color (GSA Network 2022b). Harassment and bullying negatively affect any student’s ability to succeed in school, but the impact is amplified for LBGTQ youth of color as they may be bullied based on their race, sexual orientation, and gender identity all at once (GSA Network 2022a).

The compounded bullying and harassment threaten students’ learning environment and feelings of safety. In a study of queer youth who identified as Hispanic/Latinx or African American/Black, researchers found a disproportionally higher experience of suicidal ideations (Lardier 2020). In this study, the combination of limited social support and school bullying amplified the effect of suicidal ideations for queer youth of color. Figure 9.16, “Queer Youth of Color,” provides additional information on the percentage of youth that have experienced harassment, assault, and houselessness.

To learn more, you may want to explore the informative visual guide “Intersectionality a fun guide [Website]” by Miram Dobson with a description by Zoe Stavri. In the next activity, you’ll have an opportunity to learn more about intersectionality from Kimberlé Crenshaw (figure 9.17).

Licenses and Attributions for Gender and Intersectionality

Open Content, Original

“Gender and Intersectionality” by Jennifer Puentes is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

“Activity: Intersectionality” adapted from Kimberlé Crenshaw Discusses ‘Intersectional Feminism’ [YouTube] by Lafayette College, which is licensed under the Standard YouTube License, and is licensed CC BY 4.0. Modifications include framing activity and authoring questions.

Open Content, Shared Previously

“Discrimination” definition by Kenton Bell from the Open Education Sociology Dictionary is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

“Intersectionality” adapted from “Chapter 2: Key Perspectives” by Nadine T. Fernandez and Katie Nelson in Gendered Lives which is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Paragraphs two to four edited for consistency, clarity, and brevity.

Figure 9.15. “Kimberlé Crenshaw” by Mohamed Badarne by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung is licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0.

All Rights Reserved Content

Figure 9.16. “Queer Youth of Color” by Landyn Pan in Trans Student Educational Resources is included under fair use.

Figure 9.17. “Kimberlé Crenshaw Discusses ‘Intersectional Feminism’ [YouTube]” by Lafayette College is licensed under the Standard YouTube License.