Date of Graduation

5-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

School of Social Work

Advisor/Mentor

LaShawnda Fields

Committee Member

Valandra Valandra

Second Committee Member

Mark Plassmeyer

Keywords

2sLGBTQIA+;good vs. great;intersectionality;needs assessment;Northwest Arkansas;religion

Abstract

This thesis explores the current needs of the 2sLGBTQIA+ community in Northwest Arkansas between the ages of 18-40 and what their experiences have been attempting to get their needs met. Eight semi-structured interviews were completed with members of the 2sLGBTQIA+ population, and ethical considerations were made throughout the process. The findings of this study were expansive and included six overarching themes with various subthemes. The findings report on the specific needs outlined by participants, how participants found the resources to meet their needs, and common positive and negative experiences that participants identified in the process. Findings showed that intersectional identities largely impacted the needs of participants and their experiences meeting their needs, including encountering Whiteness as a barrier, the erasure and dismissal of the identities of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and feelings of imposter syndrome. The findings report that most resources were stated only to meet the bare minimum need of the participant, which led to discussions about the effects and emotional impacts of experiencing “just good enough”. Religion was identified as a barrier to getting needs met due to the past experiences of participants as well as having extensive requirements for accessing religious-based resources. The final finding was that the negative emotional and social impacts of the political climate in Arkansas were experienced by participants on both a macro- and micro-level. In the study's conclusion, there is a discussion about study limitations along with implications for practice, policy, and research.

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