Out, proud, and resilient: effects of sexual identity labels on perceptions of sexual minorities

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Kyle A. Schofield ◽  
Steven Hobaica ◽  
Alexander Jensen ◽  
Carrie Cuttler
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 197-212
Author(s):  
Hanna Kuliga

The presented article covers the subject of creating one’s identity in a virtual reality of video games, in the perspective of LGBT characters and their influence on the exploration of the sexual identity of a gamer. It describes the means by which the user has the ability to experiment with and express their identity, putting an emphasis on the role of immersion and cultural reflection in this process. The fol-lowing presented issues concern the representation of sexual minorities and negative phenomena that are present in the virtual space (such as queerbaiting), which have an impact on both the user, as well as the game industry. It emphasizes the role of the appearance of LGBT characters in this medium, which potentially can positively influence the player and producer communities. In this article I also describe three examples of non-heteronormative characters and their importance to users and developers of the given games.


Author(s):  
Douglas Page

A nascent body of research is growing on the issue of disclosing one’s sexuality, also termed “coming out,” and the implications for attitudes, behavior, and health. This research engages (a) the political attitudes of those reporting their sexual identity, and (b) the social conditions that lead people to express different forms of sexual identity. Four main findings help to characterize the relationship between coming out and political attitudes among sexual minorities. First, people who come out tend to be socially liberal, but the reasons behind this pattern remain unclear. Second, tolerant social conditions correlate with coming out; expressions of tolerant attitudes; and political engagement on behalf of lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights. Third, the reverse holds as well: Intolerant, homophobic social conditions correlate with the concealment of one’s homosexuality and the expression of homophobic attitudes. Fourth, homophobic social conditions also may lead to worse mental health outcomes, which in turn reduce political efficacy and participation. However, the causal relationships between social conditions, coming out, political outcomes, and health outcomes elude existing research. Future research can unpack these relationships and include more cases outside Western Europe and North America, where most research on this topic is conducted.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J Young ◽  
Michelle Bover Manderski ◽  
Ollie Ganz ◽  
Cristine D Delnevo ◽  
Mary Hrywna

BACKGROUND Compared to heterosexuals, sexual minorities in the United States experience a higher incidence of negative physical and mental health outcomes. However, a variety of measurement challenges limit researchers’ ability to conduct meaningful survey research to understand these disparities. Many national health surveys only offer respondents three substantive options for reporting their sexual identities (straight/heterosexual, gay or lesbian, and bisexual) despite the prevalence of additional identities, which could lead to measurement error via misreporting and item non-response. OBJECTIVE This study compared the traditional three-option approach to measuring sexual identity with an expanded approach that offered respondents five additional options. METHODS An online survey experiment conducted among New Jersey residents between March and June 2021 randomly assigned 1,258 young adults (ages 18-21) to answer either the three-response measure of sexual identity or the expanded item. Response distributions for each measure were compared as were the odds of item non-response. RESULTS The expanded version of the question appeared to result in more accurate reporting among some subgroups and induced less item non-response. Twelve percent of participants answering the expanded version of the question selected a response that was not available in the shorter version. Females answering the expanded item were less likely to identify as gay or lesbian (2% vs.7%). Females and Non-Hispanic whites were slightly more likely to skip the shorter item (1% vs. 0%). Five percent of respondents answering the longer item were unsure of their sexual identity (a similar option was not available in the shorter version). Compared to respondents answering the longer version of the question, those answering the shorter version had substantially greater odds of skipping the question altogether (Odds Ratio 9.57, 95% CI 1.21-75.73, P=.03). CONCLUSIONS Results favor the use of a longer, more detailed approach to measuring sexual identity in epidemiological research. Such a measure will likely allow researchers to produce more accurate estimates of health behaviors and outcomes among sexual minorities.


Author(s):  
Jessica N Fish ◽  
Rodman E Turpin ◽  
Natasha D Williams ◽  
Bradley O Boekeloo

Abstract Identification of barriers to adequate health care for sexual minority populations remains elusive as they are complex and variable across sexual orientation subgroups (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual). To address these complexities, we use a U.S. nationally representative sample of health care consumers to assess sexual identity differences in health care access and satisfaction. We conducted a secondary data analysis of 12 waves (2012-2018) of the biannual Consumer Survey of Health Care Access (n=30,548) to assess sexual identity differences in 6 health care access and 3 health care satisfaction indicators. Despite parity in health insurance coverage, sexual minorities – with some variation across sexual minority subgroups and sex – reported more chronic health conditions alongside restricted health care access and unmet health care needs. Gay/lesbian females had the lowest prevalence of health care utilization and higher prevalence rates of delaying needed health care and medical tests relative to heterosexual females. Gay/lesbian females and bisexual males were less likely than their heterosexual counterparts to be able to pay for needed health care services. Sexual minorities also reported less satisfactory experiences with medical providers. Examining barriers to health care among sexual minorities is critical to eliminating health disparities that disproportionately burden this population.


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