Love at the Intersections: Socialization and Support from Queer Caregivers of Color

Existing literature on socialization practices often focuses on either queer, white parents or Black and brown, heterosexual parents, leaving a dearth in research on caregiving at the intersections of compounding marginalization. This thesis explores how queer caregivers of color (QCC) understand their roles in the socialization and identity development of the "youth of the village" (YoV). Drawing on Queer of Color Critique and Marginalized Family Identity Theory, the study examines how lived experiences across intersecting marginalized identities— including race, ethnicity, culture, sexuality, and gender—shape caregiving practices among 2SLGBTQIA+ adults of color. I conducted ten in-depth interviews with role models (n=9) and one parent (n=1) across the United States, each lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. Through an iterative coding process followed by a narrative and thematic analysis, findings reveal that QCC conceptualize family as both biological and chosen, emphasizing authenticity and the importance of uplifting and showing up for one another. Participants described their responsibilities as exposing YoV to queerness, fostering connections to cultural heritage, providing discipline when necessary, and consistently investing quality time and emotional support. Role model participants often understood their caregiving responsibilities as supplementing the parent's socialization, particularly by creating affirming spaces grounded in communication, honesty, emotional safety, autonomy, trust, confidence, and community-building. Participants' approaches to caregiving were deeply informed by their own experiences with systemic and interpersonal discrimination, immigration histories, and family acceptance or rejection, often motivating them to disrupt harmful intergenerational patterns while preserving cultural legacies. Ultimately, this thesis argues that QCC cultivate socialization practices and environments that affirm YoV's authenticity, autonomy, and sense of belonging while modeling non-normative, expansive possibilities for family, caregiving, love, culture, and community.