Unraveling Health Disparities Among Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Commentary on the Persistent Impact of Stigma. Issue 5 (16th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valdiserri, Ronald O.; Holtgrave, David R.; Poteat, Tonia C.; Beyrer, Chris
• Is Part Of: Journal of homosexuality. Volume 66:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 571
• Page End: 589
• Publication Date: 2019-04-16
• Subjects: Sexual minorities -- transgender -- stigma -- health disparities -- discrimination; Homosexuality -- Periodicals; 306.766
• DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2017.1422944
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-8369

Abstract

ABSTRACT: LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) populations experience disparities in health outcomes, both physical and mental, compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This commentary confronts the view held by some researchers that the disparate rates of mental health problems reported among LGBT populations are the consequences of pursuing a particular life trajectory, rather than resulting from the corrosive and persistent impact of stigma. Suggesting that mental health disparities among LGBT populations arise internally, de novo, when individuals express non-heterosexual and non-conforming gender identities ignores the vast body of evidence documenting the destructive impact of socially mediated stigma and systemic discrimination on health outcomes for a number of minorities, including sexual and gender minorities. Furthermore, such thinking is antithetical to widely accepted standards of health and wellbeing because it implies that LGBT persons should adopt and live out identities that contradict or deny their innermost feelings of self.