Analyzing the intersection of race and income on perceived discrimination among sexual and gender diverse persons in Brazil: a nationwide cross-sectional study

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BACKGROUND: Existing research shows that sexual and gender diverse populations living in the Global South are systematically discriminated against based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Knowledge remains limited, however, on how race and class individually and intersectionally shape perceived discrimination. We analyzed whether and how race and income intersect to shape perceived discrimination among sexual and gender diverse persons. METHODS: Our data come from an online survey with sexual and gender diverse persons ≥ 18 years living in Brazil, between November/2021 and January/2022. We used the 8-item Explicit Discrimination Scale to assess the frequency of perceived discrimination (higher scores=higher discrimination), including the self-reported attributions. Participants were stratified into six mutually exclusive groups considering race (Black/Pardo/White) and income (Low/High). Negative binomial regression models were used to assess variables associated with discrimination. RESULTS: In total, 7878 participants were included, 49.4% high-income White, 18.4% high-income Pardo, 11.1% low-income White, 8.3% low-income Pardo, 8.1% high-income Black and 4.7% low-income Black. High-income White had the lowest discrimination score whereas Black participants had the highest scores regardless of income, with low-income Black participants reporting the highest number of attributions. Sexuality-based discrimination was perceived by all groups to a similar degree, regardless of race and income. Model results revealed significant intersectional patterns of race and income in discrimination experiences, even after adjusting for interaction terms of race/income and other co-variables. In the adjusted model, the joint effect analysis showed that, compared to high-income White participants, discrimination scores were 1.22 (95% CI: 1.09-1.36), 1.37 (95% CI: 1.27-1.49), 1.98 (95% CI: 1.69-2.32), and 1.78 (95% CI: 1.63-1.96) times higher among high-income Pardo, low-income Pardo, high-income Black and low-income Black participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the importance of assessing perceived discrimination according to an intersectionality perspective. Results show the pervasive and multifaceted nature of discrimination experienced by sexual and gender diverse persons in Brazil, with disparities according to race and income. The findings highlight the compounded disadvantage faced by Black and low-income individuals, who perceive heightened levels of discrimination across multiple domains. Targeted efforts are needed to mitigate discrimination faced by racially and economically marginalized sexual and gender diverse populations.

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