Minority Stress Reflection

This proves that there is a higher risk of destructive behavior and victimization among the LGBT community. But why are these destructive behaviors present? Dr. Michael Benibgui, PhD, notes in his dissertation that, “if early experiences regarding the LGB community are negative, they may arouse internalized homophobia and self-devaluation” (18). As an effect of these attitudes toward the LGBT community, these “self-devaluating” feelings are exposed.

Health disparities in the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender community that lack fair treatment. This population deals with many adversities due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT’s community consists of a diverse population of people who come from all walks of life ((Howard, 2016). Many LBGT’s will delay or not seek health care due to stigma and lack of fair treatment. In other words, they believe that they are discriminated against.

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

Throughout history, it is evident that inequalities and disparities are part of health systems and society. Even after all the success of activism, such as the work from the human rights movement and campaign, inequalities and disparities are still evident today. Especially within minority groups, such as LGBTQ* (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) individuals – this is not to say that LGBTQ are the only categories when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identities, thus it is followed by a * – and racial groups. Furthermore, it is evident that within minority groups there are specific micro-level groups that experience unique and sometimes even greater amount of inequalities and disparities. For example, the micro-level group of transgender individuals from the LGBTQ* community is one of the many minority groups that experience both medical and social disparities and inequalities.This paper will discuss both the medical and social inequalities and disparities that Transgender Individuals face, including structural violence and intentional violence.

Based on the discussion from the Williams Institute, it is evident that there continues to be a prevalence of discrimination among groups that are not viewed as culturally acceptable in our county. In this article, it is reported that people are more likely to experience hate crimes based on their sexual orientations. For instance, 44% of people reported experience physical violence (without a weapon) because of their sexual orientation, and 80% had been verbally harassed (Herek, 2009). Although the Hates Crimes Statistic Law became effective in 1990, the stigma surrounding the LGBTQ community continues to affect their everyday life. It may defer a person by identified their sexual orientation for the fear of being discriminating in the workplace,

Victimization of LGBT community members is elevating as time passes. Researchers attempt to determine the prevalence of the violence committed against members of the LGBT community (Rothman, Exner, & Baughman, 2011). Many people that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender that are victims of hate crimes have participated in studies where they insist that the crimes committed against them are based on their sexuality; not class, color, gender, or any other factor. In a qualitative study, Meyer (2009) conducted open-ended interviews with people who were victims of hate crimes. The participants were recruited at LGBT advocacy organizations. Those who presumed that their hate crime was due to multiple systems of oppression such as class,

Most can have problems finding some where to stay. Because LGBT persons often have great difficulty finding shelters that accept and respect them. Transgender people are often forced to classify themselves as a gender with which they do not identify. These individuals are particularly at physical risk in shelters. This risk comes from a lack of acceptance. Ex. Transgender women (born with male genitalia but identify and live as women) forced to take shelter with heterosexual men are frequently subjected to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. Transgender individuals are often turned away from shelters and in some cases signs have been posted barring their entrance. (American Journal of Public Health, 2002) In some cases, suicide rates of LGBT people have escaladed in the past few years of feeling neglected. Suicide attempts by LGB youth and questioning youth are 4 to 6 times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose that requires treatment from a doctor or nurse, compared to their straight peers. (CDC, 2011) The STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) is growing among LGBT groups also. It is another problem they are facing. STDs have been increasing among gay and bisexual men, with recent increases in syphilis being documented across the country. In 2012, men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 75% of primary and secondary syphilis cases in the United States. MSM often are diagnosed with other STDs, including Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. (National Center for HIV/AIDS, 2014) And LGBT are also being discriminated against being hired for a job. Employers are not hiring LGBT people because they do not agree with their life choices and will not hire

Religion and acceptance have a large impact on people in the LGBTQ communities. All anyone has ever wanted was to be accepted for who they are by their friends and family. When this doesn’t happen it can cause stress and thoughts of suicide. If the stress of not being accepted continues there is a possibility that there may be a loss not only with their LGBTQ identity but their spiritual identity as well. Loss of Religious or Spiritual Identities Amoung [sic] the LGBT Population by Andrew William Wood and Abigail Holland Conley ;and The Role of Religion and Stress in Sexual Identity and Mental Health Amoung [sic] Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth by Mathew L. J. Page, Kristin M. Lindahl, and Neena M. Malik are two articles out of the many that

In addition to social persecution, people who identify on the LGBTQ spectrum are at a higher risk of experiencing violence In 2010, the FBI reported in a hate crime statistics report that 19.3% of hate crimes in that year were motivated by a sexual orientation bias. Based on national statistics, more than 50% of transgendered youth will attempt suicide at least once by the age of 20 “Statistics About Youth Suicide”. These numbers are shocking, and it’s baffling that these youth have to live under the pressure of violence and mental illness all while being barred from the rights they

Out of the 316 million people in the United States of America, nine million of them relate as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning collectively known as LGBTQ. This makes up about four percent of the population and while this may seem like a small number, the LGBTQ equal rights movement is as big as ever. While there are many fronts to fight in the war for equal rights, the major points I will be discussing are the history of LGBTQ fight for equal rights, marriage rights and equality, and the mistreatment of LGBTQ youth in regards to bullying in schools, homelessness, and depression/suicide.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community has never received as much attention as they are right now. Much of this attention is stemming from this population struggling to obtain the same rights given to the remainder of the population. The LGBT community faces many challenges in their personal system, social environment, and then in the public system. In working with the LGBT population, the social worker needs to examine how the individual views themselves, not only through sexual identity, but as an individual. We need to look at the prejudices and condemnation they have encountered which may have led to further uncertainty or confusion.

In conjunction, they shape linkages of value that encourage positive mental healthiness among LGBT persons and societies, and moderate the special effects of discriminating heterosexist. Increasing LGBT person’s social contribution and association contains making sure that LGBT persons are valued, observable, and lively members in every aspects of societal lifetime. This necessitates promotion from LGBT, government and other service provider, while ensuring obligation to deal with standardized heterosexist (WHO, 2007). More so, it also involves dealing with the influence of heterosexist on LGBT persons and societies entails right to use resources and economic safety that stimulate optimistic mental healthiness and welfare along with reducing suicide in the society. This encompasses eliminating the blockades that lessen LGBT person’s accessibility to employment and education, which may transform to a decrease in their earnings and accessibility to various crucial services comprising accommodation and health (Gray et al,

The researchers believed oppressive experiences against gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals might be able to predict symptoms of PTSD. Some studies linked experiences of negative psychosocial outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation to PTSD symptoms. One study found that sexual minorities are actually at a higher risk than their heterosexual counterparts to experience traumatic events in their life. The findings supported past research which brought up sexual origination-based hate crime victimization and heterosexist discrimination as unique predictors of PTSD symptoms (Bandermann & Szymanski, 2014). Individuals belonging to the LGBTQ community are facing their own kind of trauma because of the discrimination that they have to face every day. They are assaulted, called vulgar names, and killed because they love someone of the same-sex. Just because their trauma does not fit a certain criteria does not mean they are not suffering. Many of these people are facing traumatic experiences by the hand of someone they love such as a family member or friend. Many individuals are dealing with traumatic issues because they are oppressed, but do not fit the criteria for PTSD. These articles could sway individuals to include oppression into the categories of traumatic event individuals with PTSD

The lack of specialised care options available for Indigenous LGBTQI+ individuals is substantial, and this lack of care has resulted in a severe mental health crisis throughout the community. Suicide, self-harm, depression and anxiety are central effects of this mental health crisis, and impact deeply on the lives of those who suffer from them.

In this article, Dr. Sabin, Dr. Riskin, and Dr. Nosek analyze both implicit and explicit attitudes held by health care providers in terms of lesbian and gay patients. The authors based their research on prior findings that identified the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community to be a minority population that was found to be at a higher risk than heterosexual people to smoke, use alcohol and illegal substances, attempt suicide, and experience depression. Prior research also identified chronic stress among this population, mainly caused by their minority status, legal barriers to health insurance, providers lack of culturally competent training, and experiences and expectations of discrimination. Furthermore, the prior research also found this population,