On the importance of intersectionality: understanding how experienced, anticipated and internalized stigma intersect in people with non-normative identities

Introduction: Recent years have seen a growing body of work on sexual and gender minority groups, as well as a rising interest in the diversity of relationship structures, both sexual and romantic. The increased visibility and associated counter-movement also impact the stigmatization to which these minority groups are subjected. This is in turn correlated with increased minority stress which has been linked to numerous mental, physical and economic problems. The overlap found between these different minority groups underlines the importance of understanding the complex interplay of stigmatizing factors through the lens of intersectionality. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Belgium in the Dutch language to compare four non-normative groups (sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual relationships and romantic relationships) with each other. Three different scales were used, yielding four stigma scores: (1) the experienced stigma scale, (2) the anticipated stigma scale with two subscores of (2a) anticipated stigma in daily life and (2b) anticipated stigma in relationships, and (3) internalized stigma scale. Results: A total of 2,576 were included in analyses, of which 519 individuals (20%) identified as non-normative, with 425 belonging to only one category. All of the minority groups included in this study experienced stigmatization because of their non-normative identity, though differences were found in the type of stigma they experienced and the extent to which they experienced stigma compared to the other non-normative groups. Having multiple non-normative identities resulted only in increased anticipated stigma. Discussion: The results found in this study are comparative to other research. Differences in stigmatization may be explained by differences in visibility and stigma symbols, with some identities being more concealable than others, and differences in societal acceptance in Belgium. The current political landscape underlines the importance of this research, which addresses the need to examine combinations and the interactions between different types of stigma and different non-normative identities.