Applying culturalist methodologies to discern COVID-19's impact on communities of color.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color (CoC) amid increasing incidents of racial injustices and racism. In this article, we describe our culturalist methodologies for designing and implementing a multi-ethnic, interdisciplinary national needs assessment developed in partnership with CoC. Instead of a typical western-centric social science approach that typically ignores and perpetuates structural racism and settler colonialism, the research team implemented culturalist and community-partnered approaches that were further contextualized to the context of structural racism and settler colonialism. The culturalist approach yielded two sets of themes both related to the impact of the pandemic on CoC. The first set involved syndemic factors that contribute to the adverse impact of COVID-19. These include historical trauma; racism, racial stress, and discrimination; and cultural mistrust. The second set consisted of factors that potentially mitigate the impact of the COVID-19. These include cultural protective factors; community engagement; communal ethos, and data disaggregation. Our methodologies and the resulting findings encourage research praxis that uplifts the shared effects of the social determinants of health while honoring unique cultural and contextual experiences-a lesson that social science researchers largely have yet to learn.

"A center for trans women where they help you": Resource needs of the immigrant Latinx transgender community.

Background: Immigrant Latinx transgender people often migrate to the United States because of a desire for increased safety and more opportunities. However, after migrating to the United States, immigrant Latinx transgender people often struggle to access basic needs, including health care, jobs, and stable finances. These struggles are exacerbated for undocumented immigrant Latinx transgender people. There is a gap in the literature regarding needed resources for immigrant Latinx transgender community members living in the United States. Aims: Utilizing a critical intersectionality framework, the aim of the present study was to investigate the resource needs of immigrant Latinx transgender community members living in the United States. Methods: A community sample of 18 immigrant Latinx transgender people living in a large metropolitan city in Florida participated in individual semi-structured interviews to explore their community resource needs. Results: Thematic analysis revealed five themes related to resources that participants needed including: 1) Transgender healthcare/resources, 2) Public education, 3) Financial aid resources, 4) Homelessness resources, and 5) Addictions care. Two resource need-related themes were identified that pertain specifically to undocumented immigrant Latinx transgender people, including: 1) Documentation papers for access, and 2) Legal aid. Conclusions: Findings suggest that immigrant Latinx transgender community members in this study provided guidance about broad resources needed to enhance their wellness and safety, and promote liberation of community members. Participants' resource needs suggest the importance of policy and structural level changes from institutions with power that consider and enhance the wellness of immigrant Latinx transgender people. Findings also suggest the need for more tailored interventions and case work to better support immigrant Latinx transgender people.