The document summarizes findings from a nationwide survey of LGBT Black men and women. It provides details on the research methods, demographics of the Black sample, topics examined including outness, spirituality, and community engagement. The key findings are that for Black respondents, being out to family and friends, considering oneself spiritual and engaging in religious activities, and being engaged in the LGBT community of color are all positively associated with mental health and happiness.

1. Findings from a Nationwide Survey of
LGBT Black Men & Women
Eastern Sociological Society Regional Conference
February 24, 2012
Abigail Kolker, Vernon Caldwell
CUNY-Graduate Center

2. Our Purpose

3. To Document and Celebrate

4. Not Pathologize

5. Sociopolitcal Mosaic

6. Other Studies

7. SJS Study

8. Total Sample Size = 5,500

9. N=4,963

10. 5 Groups

11. 5 Topics

15. Research Methods

16. •Columbia South Carolina Black Pride
•New York Harlem Pride
•Miami Beach Bruthaz Bash
•Charlotte North Carolina Black Pride
•Michigan's Womyn's Festival
•Market Days
•GMHC House of Latex Ball
•Pueblo, CO Gay Pride
•Twin Cities Black Pride & South Central MN Pride
•World Gay Rodeo Finals, Laughlin, NV
Venues

17. •Phoenix Pride
•Long Beach Pride
•DC Black Pride
•Portland Latino Pride
•Orlando Black Pride/Gay Days
•Austin Pride
•New York Queens Pride
•Boston SPYCE & Boston Pride
•Central Alabama Pride (Birmingham)
•Milwaukee Wisconsin Pride
•Honolulu Pride
•Denver Pride
•New York Pride
Venues

18. Our Partner Organizations

19. The Data

20. Blacks

21. N=2,086

23. Demographics
Blacks by Gender
(SJS: N=2,086)
7%
Male
52% Female
42%
Non-Cisgender
Gender Variant

24. Blacks by Age
(SJS: N=2,086)
17% 20%
18-24
25-49
50+ above
59%

25. Which label best describes your sexual identity?
(SJS: N=2,086)
0.5% 4%
8%
Gay
9% Lesbian
36%
Bisexual
Two Spirit
3%
Queer
4% In the Life
2% Same Gender Loving
Straight/Heterosexual
Macha/o
11%
Other
23%

26. Outness

27. Who are you "out" to?
(SJS: N=2,086)
90%
80%
77%
64% 62%
55%
70%
60% 49% 45%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
e
ily
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un
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Fa
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28. Outness as a Predictor of
Happiness (Mental Health Self-Perception)
Black sample: 0.046***
(+) Blacks who are out to family, friends and members of their
communities are more likely to have positive mental health
perception than their “closeted” counterparts.

29. Spirituality

30. Blacks Who Say Religion is Important
(SJS: N=2,086)
100%
90%
79% 78%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Religion is Very Important Religion Gives Meaning/Purpose
Blacks U.S. Blacks SJS

31. Blacks Who Attend Religious Services
(SJS: N=2,086)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
51%
50%
40%
30%
29%
20%
10%
0%
Attend at Least Weekly - Blacks U.S. Attend Every Week or Nearly Every
Week - Blacks SJS

32. (SJS: N=2,086)

33. Spirituality as a Predictor of
Happiness (Mental Health Self-Perception)
Black sample: 0.125***
(+) Blacks who consider themselves spiritual and are active in
religious institutions are more likely to have positive mental
health perception than their non-religious counterparts.

34. Community Engagement

35. Engagement in LGBT community of
color over past 12 months
once/mo.
once/wk.
6 times/yr.
twice/yr.
Never
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
% black sample
(SJS: N=2,086)

36. Community Engagement as a Predictor of
Happiness (Mental Health Self-Perception)
Black sample: 0.059***
(+) Blacks that are actively engaged in their communities are
more likely to have positive mental health perception than
those not involved in the community.

37. Conclusion

38. Thank you!