Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) falls within societal minority groups such as low income, people of color, and disables (AHRQ, 2011). Due to their gender identity, discrimination, violence, and even denial of human rights and healthcare services is a common challenge among LGBT population. LGBT still faces many health disparities primarily related to the historic bias of healthcare professionals anti-LGBT manners even though society acceptance has been favorable. According to Ard and Makadon (n.d), “until 1973, homosexuality was listed as a disorder…, and transgender still is.” This stigma prevents healthcare professionals to openly ask questions in a non-judgmental manner related to sexual identity. On the other hand, if the patient senses that the healthcare environment is discriminating they may be reluctant to disclose important information as their sexual orientation; thus, missing important opportunities of been educated about safety and health care risks.
Scholars have been critical of the medical establishment’s and state’s involvement in constructing and policing of transgender identity. These kinds of pressing issues have occupied the small existing literature. There is not much information and studying what is being done on transgender in traditional areas, family studies research, such as their dating behavior and formation of intimate relationships in adulthood. There is little research on the issues around being parents, their children’s experiences with having transgendered parents, as well as relationships in the family as a whole, and relationships in work and school.
It is generally not an easy time and can be even more trying for adolescents that are not heterosexual. These adolescents experience stressors that others do not in regards to sexuality because not only are they trying to come to terms with puberty and the changes their body is going through, but they are also having to come to terms with a sexual orientation that some deem deviant and unacceptable. This article discussed these specific issues related to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth. The researchers compared the amount of support that LGB youth feel that receive for the stress that navigating sexuality brings and the amount of support they receive from stress of other problems. The results showed that support of sexuality stress from family and heterosexual friends was less available than support for other stressors. Researchers concluded that sexuality support may be the absolute most relevant aspect of the mental health of LGB youth, though that form of support is least available to
Ryan, Caitlin Ryan; Russell, Stephen, T.; Huebner, David; Diaz, Rafael; Sanchez, Jorge, 2010, Family Acceptance in Adolescence and the Health of LGBT young Adults, Journal of Child and Adolescence Psychiatric Nursing, Volume 23, pp. 205-213
The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to
The assigned readings for this course have been extremely beneficial in helping me formed a foundation of understanding towards the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Because of these readings I have increased my understanding of the many obstacles that individuals in this community must overcome; specifically the youth. LGBT individuals are often faced with a unique set of problems that clinical social workers should be aware of. Most times, this group of sexual minorities feels that they are being discriminated against by their friends, family, and the society as a whole (Bennett, 2013, p. 1). Unfortunately this feeling and thinking of alienation and discrimination subjects them to stress, anxiety and depression. All of which
11). Ryan’s research article explains the importance of family support on the adolescent’s development. For individuals in the LGBT population family support is more important for the individual’s development and mental health. “LGB youth who came out to a parent or family member reported verbal and physical abuse by family members and higher levels of suicidality than youth who had not disclosed to their families” (Ryan, 2010, p.11). Therefore, the family’s negative reaction to the individual’s sexual orientation can lead to an individual feeling rejected and depressed. It is important that a counselor help the family learn acceptance and support for their adolescent who identifies as LGBT to avoid depression and suicide. Lastly, “we have found that even very rejecting families can learn to support their LGBT children” (Ryan, 2010, p. 11). Hence, even families who are rejecting of their adolescence can learn acceptance and support. It is important, as a counselor, to provide effective therapy to every individual in the family so that they can learn to support.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual transgender, and queer identified (LGBTQ) runaway and homeless youth are of the most vulnerable groups in this country. Homelessness, particularly among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, queer youth is an enduring example of a social problem in our society. The LGBTQ youth faces an increasing number of challenges. In disclosing their sexual orientation family conflict arises and plays a huge role in the issue of homelessness among the LGBTQ youth. They face forms of stigma and marginalization that position them as needing not only critical but immediate support from the community; however, communities are not aware of the real issue that these youth face day to day with their struggle in trying to survive on the streets.
With higher numbers of citizens coming out with who they are leaves high rick of hate crimes and uneducated resources about the LGBT people in the city; Lafayette, Louisiana should help fund and run an LGBT community support group to help its citizens to become more educated on the LGBT lifestyle, help with problems in the LGBT community that accrue in Lafayette along with helping its citizens come as one on and better accept each other.
Interventions that promote parental and caregiver acceptance of LGBT adolescents are needed to reduce health disparities. Ryan at el., (2010) found that “family acceptance predicts greater self-esteem, social support, and general health status; it also protects against depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation and behaviors”.
There are many topics prevalent shown throughout history. History books in today’s society highlight the majority of groups of people and historical events. This essay will prove that there is a problematic issue where LGBT lives and existences are being erased throughout history and the modern era. Throughout, it will be explained how these groups of people are being underrepresented within history, major wars, and the modern era.
Jamil, Harper,and Fernandez (2009) conducted a study on gay, lesbian, and bisexual minority teens with the purpose of correlating the relationship between sexual development and ethnic identity. “Sexual identity awareness was triggered internally, by
Many gay youths feel guilty about their sexuality and painfully different from their peers; they worry about the response from their families, friends, and teachers. Some teens have to go to school in a hostile environment and some encounter shame, social isolation and even bullying and cyber bullying on a routine basis. If a teen is feeling rejected or not supported by her family, she is far more likely to have these conditions. This does not mean, however, that LGBT identity itself is the cause of these challenges. These feelings are mainly due to bias, discrimination, and how they are treated in social environments.
In order to understand the coming-out process, one must know the mental and physical struggles that follow. Because not everyone approves of this so-called “abnormal behavior”, many closeted individuals experience mental or physical abuse from their direct families or environment. For instance, a handful of young LGBTQ youth end up being homeless due to abuse or rejection from their direct families. This is an unfair burden that has weighed upon the LGBTQ community as a whole. In addition, even though some individuals receive support, most non-heterosexuals do not have the luxury of acceptance in an open-minded environment. All these struggles can lead to serious mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. It is
Rejection. Death. Hatred. These are the consequences lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adolescent individuals face as members who are a part of parentally unaccepted families. In America, approximately 3.4% of adolescent individuals identify as homosexual. The breakdown of this population included 1.6% who identify as gay or straight, 0.7% who identify as bisexual, and 1.1% who don’t identify within those standards (Ward, Dahlhamer, Galinsky & Jostli, 2014, 1). Compared to the 96.6% of the American population who identify as heterosexual, these statistics seem insignificant. However, the sexual identity of adolescents has an important impact on their overall interpersonal and family relationships. For a long time, there was minimal support of homosexual marriage within the United States. However, a little under two years ago, the Supreme Court declared LGBT individuals the right to wed. This transformation has lead to a modification of the typical marriage standards, which includes a man and a woman. Over the years, the most recent generations have become more accepted of homosexuality, due to the commonality of homosexuals. However, members of older generations typically seem to be stricter about their beliefs on marriage and relationships. Adolescents and their peers typically view same-sex interactions as a personal preference, to each his own. Their parents are often less welcoming of homosexuality, because when they were