Project Isa: A Qualitative Study on QTPI Health

QTPI experience unique health disparities compared to their non-Queer and Transgender Pacific Islanders. These include physical health disparities such as smoking, heavy alcohol use cancer, asthma, and high blood pressure and mental health disparities such as diagnosed depression (Choi et al, 2021). These health disparities can be explained by settler colonial structures and policies as well as epistemicide of cultural knowledge systems, practices, and roles. Few studies have focused on the health experiences of QTPI.

According to the Indigenist stress and coping model, colonization serves as a root cause of Two-Spirit health disparities. In particular colonization generates historical trauma and intracommunity violence against Indigenous LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit communities (Fieland et al, 2007). However, cultural determinants of health — identity, cultural practices, spirituality, and traditional healing practices — buffer the negative impacts of colonizations on Indigenous LGBTQIA+ and Two-spirit health (Fieland et al, 2007). In fact, many culturally rooted health promotion interventions have shown efficacy in addressing these health disparities as well as wellness outcomes related to maintaining balance between the mental, physical and spiritual components of health (Walters et al, 2020; Lucero, 2011).

This study conducted in partnership with QTPI community leaders and elders from the United Territories of the Pacific Alliance of Washington and the Guma Gela' Art collective. We conducted 12 semistructured interviews with local QTPI on their health experiences, interactions with their healthcare providers, and specific cultural mechanisms that could be incorporated into a culturally rooted health intervention.