The impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community: Comparisons between cisgender, heterosexual people, cisgender sexual minority people, and gender minority people

Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people in Kenya face pervasive socio-cultural and structural discrimination. Persistent stress stemming from anti-SGM stigma and prejudice may place SGM individuals at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes. This study explored experiences with violence (intimate partner violence and SGM-based violence), mental health outcomes (psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and depressive symptoms), alcohol and other substance use, and prioritization of community needs among SGM adults in Western Kenya. Methods: This study was conducted by members of a collaborative research partnership between a U.S. academic institution and a Kenyan LGBTQ civil society organization (CSO). A convenience sample of 527 SGM adults (92.7% ages 18–34) was recruited from community venues to complete a cross-sectional survey either on paper or through an online secure platform. Results: For comparative analytic purposes, three sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) groups were created: (1) cisgender sexual minority women (SMW; 24.9%), (2) cisgender sexual minority men (SMM; 63.8%), and (3) gender minority individuals (GMI; 11.4%). Overall, 11.7% of participants reported clinically significant levels of psychological distress, 53.2% reported clinically significant levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and 26.1% reported clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms. No statistically significant differences in clinical levels of these mental health concerns were detected across SOGI groups. Overall, 76.2% of participants reported ever using alcohol, 45.6% home brew, 43.5% tobacco, 39.1% marijuana, and 27.7% miraa or khat. Statistically significant SOGI group differences on potentially problematic substance use revealed that GMI participants were less likely to use alcohol and tobacco daily; and SMM participants were more likely to use marijuana daily. Lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) was reported by 42.5% of participants, and lifetime SGM-based violence (SGMV) was reported by 43.4%. GMI participants were more likely than other SOGI groups to have experienced both IPV and SGMV. Participants who experienced SGMV had significantly higher rates of clinically significant depressive and PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: Despite current resilience demonstrated by SGM adults in Kenya, there is an urgent need to develop and deliver culturally appropriate mental health services for this population. Given the pervasiveness of anti-SGM violence, services should be provided using trauma-informed principles, and be sensitive to the lived experiences of SGM adults in Kenya. Community and policy levels interventions are needed to decrease SGM-based stigma and violence, increase SGM visibility and acceptance, and create safe and affirming venues for mental health care. Political prioritization of SGM mental health is needed for sustainable change.

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Perceptions of Emergency Care by Sexual and Gender Minorities in Colorado: Barriers, Quality, and Factors Affecting Identity Disclosure

Western Journal of Emergency Medicine ◽

10.5811/westjem.2021.3.49423 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 903-910

Author(s):

William LaPlant ◽

Leonardo Kattari ◽

Lexie Ross ◽

Jennifer Zhan ◽

Jeffrey Druck

Keyword(s):

Sexual Minority ◽

Emergency Care ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Care Quality ◽

Sexual And Gender Minorities ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Gender Minorities ◽

Identity Disclosure ◽

And Gender

Introduction: Expanding on data concerning emergency department (ED) use and avoidance by the sexual minority (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, other [LGTBQ+]) and gender minority (those who identify as transgender, gender nonconforming, other) community may inform future ED LGTBQ+ training and clinical practice. Investigation objectives included characterizing rates of emergency care avoidance, identifying barriers to emergency care, and assessing emergency care quality and cultural competency for sexual and gender minorities. Methods: In this population-based, cross-sectional needs assessment, sexual minority, gender minority, and/or cisgender heterosexual-identified participants were selected based on participants’ subscription to newsletters or social media accounts for One Colorado, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Each participant completed a single digital survey that collected qualitative and quantitative data about ED perception, use, and demographics. Results: A total of 477 LGBTQ+ or heterosexual-identified individuals (mean age = 44.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 16.7)) participated in the study. Lifetime emergency care avoidance rates for gender minorities were markedly increased (odds ratio [OR] 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2 – 6.6; P <.001), while avoidance rates for sexual minorities were similar to those of cisgender heterosexual respondents (17% vs 14%; P <.001). Gender minorities were more likely than sexual minorities to both avoid emergency care due to fear of discrimination (43% vs 15%; P =.002) and to have experienced discrimination during their last ED visit (OR 11, [95% CI, 5–24]; P <.001). No significant differences were observed between participants in care avoidance due to financial reasons or prior negative experiences. No cited ED factors that influenced identity disclosure decisions were distinctly predictive. Conclusion: Gender minorities are more likely than sexual minorities and heterosexual cisgender individuals to report ED avoidance and discrimination at last ED visit. Future work characterizing deficits in LGBTQ+ ED care might reduce these avoidance and discrimination rates, enhancing the level of patient care provided to this population.

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How minority stress becomes traumatic invalidation: An emotion-focused conceptualization of minority stress in sexual and gender minority people.

Clinical Psychology Science and Practice ◽

10.1037/cps0000054 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nicole D. Cardona ◽

Ryan J. Madigan ◽

Shannon Sauer-Zavala

Keyword(s):

Minority Stress ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Minority People

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Educator Intervention Concerning Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in the Czech Republic

10.31234/osf.io/7mgkd ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jack Simons ◽

Ales Kudrnáč ◽

Marcela Kepic ◽

Irena Smetáčková ◽

Tim McCajor Hall

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

School Psychologists ◽

Online Survey ◽

National Sample ◽

Survey Study ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

The Impact

A national sample of 114 educators working in secondary schools in the Czech Republic participated in a mixed research online survey study. The study was conducted to assess educators’ responses to situations concerning actual and perceived sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Educators’ responses included intervening when witnessing homo/trans-negativity as well as facilitating discussions with students in the classroom when these incidences occurred. Regression models indicated that these SGM advocacy responses (intervention and discussion) were significantly related to educators’ levels of self-efficacy. Having classroom discussions with students about incidences of SGM bullying were also found to relate to having training regarding SGM topics and feeling negative about students using homo/trans-negative slurs. Our findings suggest that training on SGM topics should be offered to educators in the Czech Republic to increase the likelihood that they follow up homo-/trans-negative language and behavior with discussions. Training regarding the latter should include reflection over the impact of one’s attitudes on their SGM advocacy behaviors. Lastly, future studies should include other educators besides teachers such as school counselors and school psychologists who are also uniquely positioned to advocate for SGM youth in Czech schools.

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Social Biographies and Health Among Sexual and Gender Minority People

Sexual and Gender Minority Health - Advances in Medical Sociology ◽

10.1108/s1057-629020210000021011 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135-155

Author(s):

Mieke Beth Thomeer ◽

Corinne Reczek ◽

Allen J. LeBlanc

Keyword(s):

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Minority People

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Violence against South African sexual and gender minority people: a cross-sectional study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/cky213.716 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (suppl_4) ◽

Author(s):

A Müller ◽

K Daskilewicz ◽

M Clayton ◽

B Langen

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Minority People

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The Prevalence of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in the Justice System: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Criminal Justice and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0093854819848803 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (7) ◽

pp. 999-1019 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Melissa R. Jonnson ◽

Brian M. Bird ◽

Shanna M. Y. Li ◽

Jodi L. Viljoen

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Justice System ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Minority Youth ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

Theoretical models, such as the minority stress model, suggest that sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth may be overrepresented in the justice system. However, few studies have examined rates of SGM youth in the system, and even fewer have compared them with rates of these youth in the broader community. To obtain a more accurate estimate, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 31,258 youths and compared rates of SGM youth in the justice system with those in the community. Contrary to claims that SGM youth are overrepresented generally, this review suggests that sexual minority girls, specifically, are disproportionally involved in the justice system. Rates of involvement appeared to differ across ethnic subgroups of sexual minority youth, and evidence is inconclusive regarding the prevalence of gender minority youth in the system. Implications of these findings for researchers and justice system professionals are discussed.

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Assessing mental health signals among sexual and gender minorities using Twitter data

Health Informatics Journal ◽

10.1177/1460458219839621 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 765-786 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yunpeng Zhao ◽

Yi Guo ◽

Xing He ◽

Yonghui Wu ◽

Xi Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Positive Emotions ◽

Sexual And Gender Minorities ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Gender Minorities ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

The Difference ◽

And Gender ◽

Laws And Policies ◽

Minority People

Sexual and gender minorities face extreme challenges that breed stigma with alarming consequences damaging their mental health. Nevertheless, sexual and gender minority people and their mental health needs remain little understood. Because of stigma, sexual and gender minorities are often unwilling to self-identify themselves as sexual and gender minorities when asked. However, social media have become popular platforms for health-related researches. We first explored methods to find sexual and gender minorities through their self-identifying tweets, and further classified them into 11 sexual and gender minority subgroups. We then analyzed mental health signals extracted from these sexual and gender minorities’ Twitter timelines using a lexicon-based analysis method. We found that (1) sexual and gender minorities expressed more negative feelings, (2) the difference between sexual and gender minority and non-sexual and gender minority people is shrinking after 2015, (3) there are differences among sexual and gender minorities lived in different geographic regions, (4) sexual and gender minorities lived in states with sexual and gender minority-related protection laws and policies expressed more positive emotions, and (5) sexual and gender minorities expressed different levels of mental health signals across different sexual and gender minority subgroups.

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