What is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality is made up of 3 building blocks: social identities, systems of oppression, and the ways in which they intersect.

1. Social identities are based on the groups or communities a person belongs to. These groups give people a sense of who they are. For example, social class, race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation are all social identities. A person is usually a member of many different groups or communities at once; in this way, social identities are multidimensional.
2. Systems of oppression refer to systems and structures in society that create inequalities and reinforce exclusion. These systems are built around societal norms, and are constructed by the dominant group(s) in society. They are maintained through language (e.g., “That’s so gay”), social interactions (e.g., “catcalling” women), institutions, laws, and policies. Systems of oppression include racism, heterosexism, class, gender inequality, and ableism.
3. Social identities and systems of oppression do not exist in isolation. They can be thought of as intersecting or interacting. Individuals’ experiences are shaped by the ways in which their social identities intersect with each other and with interacting systems of oppression. For instance, a person can be black, a woman, and elderly. This means she may face racism, sexism, and ageism as they navigate everyday life.

An intersectional approach involves recognising and addressing the multiple and interconnected factors that impact people’s experiences. We aim to work along survivors to understand and address unique barriers to ensure our services are inclusive and accessible.