Qualitative study documents resilience and discrimination among sexual and gender minorities in Guyana

A qualitative study published in BMC Public Health has examined how sexual and gender minority adults in Guyana experience daily life, drawing on the accounts of 45 participants who took part in four focus groups. The research, led by Gregory A. Kanhai and Drexler James, was published on 8 October 2026 as an open access article and is currently available as an early, peer-reviewed accepted version that may be subject to further edits before the final version of record.

The study set out against a documented backdrop of persistent structural heterosexism in Guyana. The authors note that although social conditions for sexual and gender identity minority individuals have improved, research has identified continuing discrimination, including the reluctance of the Guyanese government to repeal colonial-era “anti-gay” laws. The investigation was designed to capture both positive and negative experiences of people from these minority groups residing in the country.

Methodologically, the researchers convened four focus groups that included adult non-heterosexual men, women and transgender persons, with a total of 45 participants. Five of these participants abstained from completing the demographic section of the questionnaire. The focus groups prompted discussions across a range of life domains, including social settings, interpersonal relationships, vocational life, healthcare, housing, public spaces, socio-political contexts, significant life events and personal successes.

The analysis used thematic analysis, a method that identifies recurring patterns and themes in participants’ discussions, to provide a structured framework for understanding and interpreting their experiences across these life domains. This approach allowed the researchers to organise the accounts into themes that reflected both affirming encounters and persistent barriers.

The findings describe a mixed picture. Participants reported affirming experiences alongside discriminatory ones across social, interpersonal, vocational, healthcare, housing, public and sociopolitical settings. On the positive side, the reported themes included acceptance from family, intimate partners and inclusive social groups; supportive teachers, coworkers and non-governmental organisations; safe housing; and improved mental health, educational attainment and self-acceptance.

On the negative side, the themes reflected persistent barriers. Participants described religious exclusion, discrimination occurring both within and outside the sexual and gender minority community, bullying in schools and workplaces, limited access to transportation, housing instability and inadequate governmental support. These accounts indicate that discriminatory experiences were reported across multiple domains of daily life rather than being confined to a single setting.

Participants also highlighted resilience in the face of these barriers. The reported themes included community leadership, advocacy by non-governmental organisations, healthy coping strategies, and educational and vocational achievements. At the same time, participants noted unmet needs connected to intersectional marginalisation, unaddressed trauma and structural barriers to achieving full social parity.

The authors conclude that the Guyanese sexual and gender identity minority community is resilient and productive despite enduring centuries-old social norms in Guyana that ostracise them. According to the conclusion, the community has developed resilience through the support of non-governmental organisations and past government initiatives, yet a significant need remains for further efforts to achieve social parity.

The conclusion also points to a role for collaborative initiatives involving both governmental and civil society organisations, which the authors state can play a vital part in dismantling the barriers described by participants. As a qualitative study based on focus group discussions with 45 adults in Guyana, the findings represent the reported experiences of this particular participant group rather than statistical estimates for the wider population, and the article is available under open access with a permanent DOI.

Subject of Research: The lived experiences and well-being of sexual and gender minority individuals in Guyana

Article Title: The lived experiences of sexual and gender minority individuals in Guyana: a qualitative investigation into well-being

Article References: Kanhai, G. A., & James, D. (2026). The lived experiences of sexual and gender minority individuals in Guyana: a qualitative investigation into well-being. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-29828-2

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-29828-2

Keywords: Guyana, sexual and gender minorities, qualitative research, minority stress, well-being, discrimination, focus groups, thematic analysis, social determinants of health, resilience, BMC Public Health, lived