Background: Stigma and discrimination harm the wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and contribute to migration from contexts of sexual persecution and criminalization. Yet LGBT newcomers and refugees often face marginalization and struggles meeting the social determinants of health (SDOH) following immigration to countries such as Canada. Social isolation is a key social determinant of health that may play a significant role in shaping health disparities among LGBT newcomers and refugees. Social support may moderate the effect of stressors on mental health, reduce social isolation, and build social networks. Scant research, however, has examined social support groups targeting LGBT newcomers and refugees. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experiences of social support group participation among LGBT African and Caribbean newcomers and refugees in an urban Canadian city. Methods: We conducted 3 focus groups with a venue-based sample of LGBT African and Caribbean newcomers and refugees (n = 29) who attended social support groups at an ethno-specific AIDS Service Organization. Focus groups followed a semi-structured interview guide and were analyzed using narrative thematic techniques. Results: Participant narratives highlighted immigration stressors, social isolation, mental health issues, and challenges meeting the SDOH. Findings reveal multi-level benefits of social support group participation at intrapersonal (self-acceptance, improved mental health), interpersonal (reduced isolation, friendships), community (reciprocity, reduced stigma and discrimination), and structural (housing, employment, immigration, health care) levels. Conclusions: Findings suggest that social support groups tailored for LGBT African and Caribbean newcomers and refugees can address social isolation, community resilience, and enhance resource access. Health care providers can provide support groups, culturally and LGBT competent health services, and resource access to promote LGBT newcomers and refugees' health and wellbeing. © 2016 The Author(s).

social determinants of health Social support Newcomer SDOH Sexual and gender minorities LGBT Mental health Refugee

information processing Sexual Minorities social capital narrative HIV Infections refugee Human immunodeficiency virus infection health care personnel health disparity Health Status Disparities mental health human wellbeing Refugees social isolation immigration Ethnic Groups health service social determinants of health ethnic group social network housing social support Human immunodeficiency virus qualitative research Young Adult Humans migrant bisexuality sexual minority homosexual female male Canada Emigrants and Immigrants female transgender semi structured interview Africa clinical article Social Stigma stigma health services Caribbean Region Caribbean support group adult gender friendship social discrimination Healthcare Disparities employment health care disparity