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Mental health risks spike for young LGBTQ+ men of color, new study shows

As the nation celebrates Pride, a new University of Delaware study reveals how intersecting discrimination affects mental health during a critical stage of development.

Jun 25, 2025

2 min

As Pride Month shines a spotlight on the progress and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities, it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges — especially the toll that stigma continues to take on mental health.

A new in Developmental Psychology study from the University of Delaware’s Eric Layland, assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development, reveals just how urgent the need for tailored mental health support is — particularly for Black, Latinx and Afro-Latinx gay, bisexual and other sexual minority young men.

Published during a time when national attention turns toward LGBTQ+ visibility, the study tracks the mental health trajectories of over 400 cisgender men between the ages of 18 and 29, focusing on how experiences of racism, heterosexism, or both — what Layland terms compound stigma — influence patterns of depression and anxiety.

The results are stark: participants who experienced frequent racism and heterosexism across relationships and settings showed the earliest and most severe symptoms of anxiety and depression, with mental health challenges peaking during late adolescence and early adulthood. While symptoms tended to decline by age 24, these years — critical for education, identity formation and economic independence — were marked by emotional strain.

"This study emphasizes how multiple sources of discrimination converge to impact the mental health of sexual minority men of color," Layland said.

The research calls for early, culturally responsive mental health interventions that help young sexual minority men of color cope with stigma and build resilience. Layland’s team points to interventions that not only teach coping skills but also foster connection, celebrate cultural identity and create peer networks for support.

Layland, who specializes in LGBTQ+ development and affirmative interventions, underscores the importance of systemic change as well.

“We need clinical and community resources that are adapted to address the intersecting discrimination experienced by sexual minority men of color, especially in their late teens in early twenties,” said Layland.

Supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Mental Health and UD, this study arrives at a crucial time for researchers, educators and community organizations working to create more inclusive and supportive environments.

For journalists covering Pride, mental health, or intersectional equity, Layland’s work offers a powerful, data-driven look at what young LGBTQ+ people of color are facing — and how communities can act to change that story.

Journalists can reach Layland by clicking on his profile.

Connect with:

Eric Layland

Assistant Professor

Prof. Layland bridges LGBTQ+ developmental research to community impact.

LGBTQ+ Developmental ResearchHealth DisparitiesHealth EquityQuantitative ResearchLGBTQ+ Advocacy

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