The Experiences of Black LGBQ Canadians within the Workplace

This research examines the experiences of Black LGBQ people within the workplace in the Lower Mainland. It is important to explore these experiences because there is a significant lack of research regarding the experiences of Black LGBQ people in not only British Columbia but Canada. The theoretical framework of this study included critical race theory, feminist theory, intersectionality, and queer theory. These theories supported the findings of this research and helped to analyze patterns that emerged from the data collected. The literature review of this study guided the development of the interview guide and analysis of data. The literature review argues the limited research literature on the experiences of Black LGBQ people. For this study, 1 semi-structured interview was conducted in-person, and 3 were conducted over the phone. There were 1 cisgendered lesbian, 2 cisgendered bisexual women, and 1 cisgendered gay man interviewed, 3 of whom had university degrees. Participants worked in a range of workplaces (e.g., childcare, educational services, health care, non-profit organizations, sales and retail, and transportation). The research findings illustrated intersectional experiences between both Black women and Black men. The 4 key themes found in this research were 1) racism within the workplace, 2) inequity in promotions and opportunities within the workplace, 3) supervisors and responses to racism within the workplace and 4) relationship with colleagues and supervisors within the workplace. In the discussion chapter, an analysis of the key findings are supported by the theoretical framework and research literature is undertaken. Three policy recommendations for workplaces within the service sector and the labour market are outlined to better equip workplaces with the knowledge and understanding of various forms of discrimination demonstrated within the workplace.