# Supporting Migrant 2SLGBTQIA+ Unpaid Caregivers for Family Members Living with Chronic Illnesses

## TL;DR

This paper reviews the challenges faced by migrant 2SLGBTQIA+ unpaid caregivers of family members with chronic illnesses and highlights the need for better support systems.

## Contribution

The paper identifies systemic barriers and discrimination affecting migrant 2SLGBTQIA+ unpaid caregivers, emphasizing the need for targeted policy and resource improvements.

## Key findings

- Migrant 2SLGBTQIA+ unpaid caregivers face intersecting forms of discrimination, including racism, homophobia, and transphobia.
- Systemic barriers such as lack of training for healthcare providers and inadequate policies hinder support for these caregivers.
- There is a critical need for improved resources and policies to address the unique challenges of this marginalized group.

## Abstract

The literature details the healthcare needs of migrant people living with chronic illnesses and the consequent economic, social, and healthcare needs of their caregivers. Similarly, some studies have underscored the social and healthcare needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex individuals, including diverse sexual and gender identities under the “+” symbol) adults living with chronic illnesses and their caregivers. This narrative review presents the context of migrant 2SLGBTQIA+ unpaid caregivers and how their intersecting identities influence their caregiving roles for family members with chronic illnesses. In this article, caregivers are defined as family members or chosen families who provide unpaid support that may last for three months or longer for people living with chronic illnesses. Most studies and policies overlook 2SLGBTQIA+ migrants who are also unpaid caregivers of individuals living with chronic illnesses, leaving them unsupported through discrimination at the intersection of racism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, and ableism, forcing them to remain vulnerable to increased emotional and physical strain. There is a presence of pervasive systemic barriers, including a lack of training and education among social and healthcare providers, about the needs of migrant 2SLGBTQIA+ unpaid caregivers. Additional challenges stem from inadequate policies and insufficient targeted resources, particularly for caregivers from marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds. The findings of this study highlight the necessity for a call to action to address these gaps and improve support systems for these highly marginalized communities.