Allostatic Load and the Wear and Tear of the Body for LGBTQ PoC

To examine the physiological impact of intersectional discrimination for LGBTQ PoC, this chapter introduces the allostatic load framework to allow for such conceptualization. Indeed, substantial evidence supports a relationship between chronic stress exposure and negative health outcomes. Socially marginalized groups within the U.S. experience unique psychosocial stressors that pose serious psychological and physiological health risks. Using the minority stress framework, and specifying the importance of intersectionality, this chapter also details the available literature on the cumulative effects of marginalization on physiological functioning for LGBTQ PoC, by highlighting the limited literature on health outcomes linked to intersectional discrimination. Thus, this chapter focuses on using the AL model to conceptualize the cumulative impact of marginalization and discrimination for LGBTQ PoC.