Race and queerness are interwoven threads in human identities that create unique and complex experiences. For queer people of colour (POC), these intersecting identities often mean navigating compounded systems of oppression—racism, homophobia, transphobia, and more. Despite these challenges, queer POC have been at the forefront of movements for liberation, carving out spaces of resistance, resilience, and radical love.
Race and queerness are interwoven threads in human identities that create unique and complex experiences. For queer people of colour (POC), these intersecting identities often mean navigating compounded systems of oppression—racism, homophobia, transphobia, and more. Despite these challenges, queer POC have been at the forefront of movements for liberation, carving out spaces of resistance, resilience, and radical love. Understanding and amplifying their voices is not only vital to justice but also to the solidarity needed for transformative change.
Understanding the Intersection
Intersectionality, a term popularised by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, helps us understand how different systems of oppression overlap. For queer POC, the realities of racism are not separate from their experiences of homophobia or transphobia. These identities exist simultaneously, influencing how they are perceived and treated in society. For instance, Black queer individuals often face discrimination within the LGBTQ+ community itself, where whiteness is frequently centred. Similarly, within racial justice movements, queerness is sometimes sidelined, leaving queer POC to advocate for their place in both spheres.
The Importance of Solidarity
Solidarity between communities is essential for dismantling these intersecting systems of oppression. Recognising the shared struggle for liberation does not mean erasing differences but rather celebrating and learning from them. Solidarity involves:
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Listening to Queer POC Voices: True solidarity begins with amplifying the experiences of those who live at the intersections of race and queerness.
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Addressing Internal Biases: Communities must confront racism within LGBTQ+ spaces and homophobia/transphobia within racial justice movements.
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Centring Marginalised Leaders: Movements are strongest when they are led by those most affected by the issues at hand.
Key Queer POC Activists in the Movement
Queer POC have long been architects of liberation movements, challenging systems of oppression and inspiring others to join the fight. Here are a few key figures whose legacies continue to shape the path toward justice:
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Marsha P. Johnson: A Black transgender woman and drag queen, Marsha was a central figure in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. Her activism and community work, including co-founding the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), laid the groundwork for modern LGBTQ+ rights.
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Sylvia Rivera: A Latina transgender activist and close collaborator with Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia tirelessly advocated for homeless LGBTQ+ youth and transgender individuals, ensuring their struggles were not forgotten in the broader gay rights movement.
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Audre Lorde: The self-described "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet," Lorde used her writing and activism to illuminate the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. Her works, like Sister Outsider, remain essential reading for understanding intersectional feminism.
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Bayard Rustin: An openly gay Black man, Rustin was a key strategist for the Civil Rights Movement, including organising the 1963 March on Washington. Despite facing ostracism due to his sexuality, his contributions were pivotal to racial justice in America.
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Miss Major Griffin-Gracy: A Black transgender elder and activist, Miss Major has dedicated her life to supporting incarcerated transgender women of colour and advocating for prison abolition.
Moving Forward Together
The work of liberation is ongoing, and it demands collective action. To honour the legacies of queer POC activists, we must:
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Educate Ourselves: Learn about the histories and contributions of queer POC within social justice movements.
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Support Queer POC-Led Organisations: Donate to and volunteer with groups that centre the needs of queer POC.
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Show Up: Whether it’s marching in protests, attending community meetings, or having hard conversations within our own circles, active participation is key.
Queer liberation and racial justice are deeply interconnected. As said by Audre Lorde: “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” By building bridges of solidarity, we can honour the intersectionality of our struggles and move closer to collective liberation.
People working to support you:
The Rainbow Project: Home - The Rainbow Project
UK Black Pride: UK Black Pride
Rainbow Noir: HOME | RainbowNoirMCR
QTI Coalition of Colour: qti.home.blog
Purple Rain Collective: Purple Rain Collective – A collective space for BAME LGBTQ & QTIBPOC in the UK