Remember the question about double stigma and discrimination earlier this month http://hivinfo4mm.org/double-discrimination/ and in [him] 2216? Here is a well-considered comment from a reader. Named with his consent.

Jamie

++++++++++++++++++

New work on stigma tends to apply an intersectional lens. Indeed "double stigma" does not necessarily imply "two times as much" stigma. From an intersectional lens, it means that as youth and as LGBTQ people they have a qualitatively different experience of stigma than, say, older LGBTQ people, or youth who are also ethnic minorities in a particular setting but not LGBTQ.

A more apt term might be "intersectional stigma" rather than "double stigma." The latter tends to bring to mind an additive model and foster the comparing of who has it worse, which is a rather counterproductive exercise. More important is recognizing the lived experience of (intersectional) stigma from different vantage points and addressing the social-structural factors that produce stigma.

Peter A. Newman, Ph.D.
Professor | Canada Research Chair in Health and Social Justice
University of Toronto