Youth Development Opportunities among Sexual/Gender Minoritized Youth: Who is Left Out?

Authors

Amy L. Gower Ph.D., University of Minnesota Medical SchoolFollow
Ben Parchem, Northwestern UniversityFollow
G. Nic Rider, University of MinnesotaFollow
Hana-May Eadeh, University of MinnesotaFollow
Ryan Watson, University of ConnecticutFollow
Samantha E. Lawrence, University of ConnecticutFollow
Stephen Russell, Arizona State UniversityFollow
De'Shay Thomas, University of MinnesotaFollow
Marla E. Eisenberg, University of MinnesotaFollow

Abstract

Youth development opportunities promote health and wellbeing across adolescence. However, scholars have increasingly questioned whether these programs are relevant to and meet the needs of youth with minoritized identities. Using an intersectionality lens, 2022 Minnesota Student Survey data from 8th, 9th, and 11th graders who indicated a minoritized sexual and/or gender identity (N=24,400) were analyzed using exhaustive Chi-square automatic interaction detection to understand how youth’s racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities and grade contributed to engagement in youth development opportunities. Mean youth development opportunity scores were lowest among youth with multiple minoritized identities, particularly transgender and gender diverse youth of color and younger youth, and highest among Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth who were white and/or straight. More work is needed to ensure all sexual and gender minoritized youth have access to relevant and equitable opportunities for youth development in their communities.

Recommended Citation

Gower, Amy L. Ph.D.; Parchem, Ben; Rider, G. Nic; Eadeh, Hana-May; Watson, Ryan; Lawrence, Samantha E.; Russell, Stephen; Thomas, De'Shay; and Eisenberg, Marla E. (2026) "Youth Development Opportunities among Sexual/Gender Minoritized Youth: Who is Left Out?," Journal of Youth Development: Vol. 21: Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol21/iss1/7