Andrew Seeber

Caribbean anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is oft discussed but rarely contextualized, presenting safety and wellbeing issues for LGBTQ+ people living in the United States Virgin Islands. This project examines the colonial legacy of discriminatory laws and attitudes, incorporating minority stress theory to understand such challenges, and explores supports for LGBTQ+ people. Initial in-depth interviews with those born or raised in the United States Virgin Islands highlight challenges with self-image, personal relationships, general safety, and religion. These suggest the import of self-acceptance and compartmentalizing for managing challenges, while education and the creation of safe spaces are proposed as necessary supports. The resulting insights will provide input for the formation of public policy to benefit LGBTQ+ Virgin Islanders.