Articles tagged with Sexual Orientation
A new study found that sexual minority women faced worse access to care and were more likely uninsured than heterosexual peers. Sexual minority men had greater difficulty affording necessary medical care despite having health insurance.
A new study highlights the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ older adults living in nursing homes, outlining best facility practices for a welcoming environment. The research emphasizes the importance of respecting residents' autonomy and providing valuable resources for care.
A large international sample of single women aged 18-67 years was surveyed on their ideal partner characteristics, revealing links between age and preferences. Most attributes were consistently important across ages, but higher age correlated with a preference for confident partners and greater acceptance of younger partners.
A new study by Rutgers University found that Latino sexual minority men who experience racial and ethnic prejudice are more likely to delay HIV testing, complicating efforts to end the over 40-year epidemic. The researchers suggest that everyday discrimination may be a barrier to testing frequency.
A systematic review found conversion practices affecting approximately 1 in 10 sexual and gender minority populations, with significant variations across countries, racial groups, and sex assignments. The study's results highlight the need for increased awareness and support for individuals experiencing these practices.
A study found that anti-immigrant prejudices, particularly towards Muslims, contribute to increased tolerance of LGBT+ individuals in Western democracies. The researchers discovered that shifts in tolerance are heavily conditioned by who the opponents of LGBT+ rights are.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE surveyed over 5,000 British people to better understand how sexual behaviors change with age. The research found that many gay and bisexual men continue to have multiple partners well into old age, while straight women become less sexually active after 50.
A study found that LGBTIQA+ Australians are 20 times more likely to consider suicide, but face unique barriers to accessing support due to intersecting identities. The research highlights the need for targeted early interventions and affirming services in remote areas.
A new study by Dr. Amin Ghaziani and Andy Holmes found that people are deeply ambivalent about coming out, with awareness of generational differences playing a key role. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 52 adult Vancouverites about their experiences coming out over the last five years.
Sexual minority women are at high risk of postpartum depression but their identities often go unrecorded in medical records. The study highlights the need for reliable methods to capture this information.
A national study of over 835,000 people found that bisexual individuals experience poorer health outcomes, particularly long-term physical and mental health problems. Bisexual women reported better health outcomes, while LGB groups across genders felt less confident in managing their own health.
A new study sheds light on the intersection of Alzheimer's caregiving and the LGBT experience, highlighting common themes such as social isolation, financial security, and grief support. The research reveals that LGBT caregivers face unique challenges due to lack of family support and discrimination in care settings.
A recent study found that LGB youth experience more interpersonal discrimination and are four times more likely to attempt suicide. Structural stigma also plays a significant role in their mental health burden. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions against discrimination and awareness of structural stigma
A new study found that homophobic name-calling, even from friends, has a negative impact on teenagers' mental health, including depressive symptoms and decreased sense of belonging. The research highlights the importance of clear anti-bullying policies, teacher education, and supportive interventions to prevent such behavior.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that women are more likely to hide their LGBTQ+ affiliation when they expect discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. This behavior is linked to the experience of gender-based discrimination and the expectation of unequal treatment.
A new UK survey study led by Lancaster University found that 6.6% of the population aged 16 and over changed their reported sexual identity over a six-year period. The research challenges the assumption that sexual identity mobility declines with age, revealing that it is as prevalent among over-65s as young people.
A new study found that LGB adults are more than twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors compared to straight peers. Depression, anxiety, and experiences of discrimination and bullying contribute to these increased risks.
The study found that only 28% of US youth-serving mental health facilities offered LGBTQ-specific services, highlighting the need for expansion of these services, particularly in underserved areas. Public mental health facilities were less likely to provide such services due to cost concerns.
A study found that LGBTQ+ and feminist activists support adding a gender-neutral 'X' marker to state IDs, as well as removing sex and gender markers altogether. The study also revealed that conservative gender activists are unlikely to support these changes, citing medical and safety concerns.
A recent French study reveals lesbian and bisexual women have worse cardiovascular health scores than heterosexual women, while gay and bisexual men tend to have better scores. Rural-residing sexual minority men also experience poorer cardiovascular health compared to heterosexual men.
A University of Maryland study found that LGBTQ+ teens experience more suicidal thoughts and self-harm ideation on days when they face high levels of minority stress, including microaggressions and internalized stigma. The study suggests that daily interventions are crucial to reducing these risks.
The NCCN 2023 Annual Conference emphasized the importance of fostering welcoming environments for patients and staff, ensuring care meets latest standards, and rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach. Key findings included the need to address systemic bias, social determinants of health, and staffing issues in cancer care.
A randomized controlled trial of High School FLASH, an LGBTQIA+ inclusive evidence-based sex education curriculum, found that the program reduced homophobic and transphobic beliefs among both LGBTQ and straight/cisgender students. The study also showed improved feelings of safety and connection to peers among LGBTQ students.
A new study found that LGB preteens ages 10-14 reported 10.4 hours of daily recreational screen time, which was nearly four hours more than their straight peers. The researchers argue that parents should regularly talk to their children about screen usage and develop a family media use plan.
A new national study finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth are twice as likely to report trouble falling or staying asleep than their straight peers. This is attributed to greater depression, stress, and family conflict among LGB youth, which can make it harder for them to get a good night's sleep.
Research shows that parental social support and psychological control significantly impact LGBTQ youth's depressive symptoms. High psychological control, however, was linked with more depressive symptoms in those whose parents did not know their identities.
Research found that being bullied based on sexual orientation or gender identity was significantly correlated with feelings of sadness and hopelessness, as well as suicide attempts. Cyberbullying, social bullying, and bullying based on race also had significant correlations with mental distress and suicide attempts.
A new study reveals that all 50 US states now allow minors to consent independently to some STI/HIV services, but confidentiality protections are rare and vary significantly. The laws remain complex, with gaps in coverage for prevention services like the HPV vaccine and PrEP.
A UCSF study suggests people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or non-binary may have a higher risk of stroke at a younger age. Non-traditional stroke risks include HIV and syphilis infections.
A new paper provides evidence-based strategies to create safer experiences for marginalized gender and sexual identities in ecological field research. The authors recommend comprehensive protocols, safety plans, inclusive housing policies, and affirming healthcare to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
A University of Kansas study found that SMART Recovery holds promise in addressing specific concerns of the LGBTQ population, but improvement is still needed. Participants appreciated being part of an LGBTQ-specific group, but faced challenges such as emotion regulation, coping with stigma, and recalling cognitive tools.
A study analyzing YouTube videos by popular influencers with millions of followers found that many promoted stopping hormonal birth control over using it or safer alternatives. The researchers warn that this could lead to unplanned pregnancies and emphasize the need for critical evaluation of online health information.
A study found that managers demonstrate explicit and implicit bias toward marginalized groups, with biases varying by occupation and type. The researchers used data from Harvard University's Project Implicit to assess biases among managers and compared them to those in other occupational designations.
A new study found that midlife and older women with same-sex attractions are more likely to be sexually active and report better sexual functioning and less pain during sex. Women in this group also experience fewer vaginal symptoms compared to their heterosexual peers.
A new study found dramatic differences in vaping prevalence across racial and sexual orientation groups. Black girls who identify as lesbian were more likely to vape than their heterosexual counterparts, while white girls who identify as lesbian were at lower risk. The findings suggest targeted e-cigarette marketing may contribute to t...
A recent study reveals racial and sex disparities in gout prevalence, with Black adults more commonly affected. Culturally informed efforts targeting diet and social determinants may help reduce these disparities.
A team of researchers at USC has developed a system to quantify and fix anti-queer bias in AI-powered text prediction. By training the popular language model BERT on queer-inclusive data from Twitter and news articles, they significantly reduced biases in predictions, with QueerTwitter showing the most effective results.
A study found that LGBTQ+ youth in both highly supportive and less supportive communities experience high rates of depressive symptoms and stigma. The research suggests that systemic changes are needed to address the negative impact of broader social stigma on mental health.
A recent study sheds light on the challenges faced by sexual and gender minority individuals when it comes to advance care planning. Despite fears of disclosure and discrimination, many SGM individuals engage in discussions with medical decision-makers about their preferences and values.
Offspring with a same-sex parent having an anxiety disorder are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder themselves. Environmental factors may play a role in the transmission of anxiety from parents to children.
A University of Cologne study finds that children with same-sex parents exhibit comparable social adjustment as those with opposite-sex parents, showcasing the resilience of same-sex families.
A new study found that teaching affirmative sexual consent and validating anxieties around consent communication improves relationships and wellbeing. Researchers identified barriers such as shame and guilt, but also found that discussing consent can enhance the relationship, create a safe context, and clarify expectations.
A recent study reveals that sexual minority individuals are less likely to undergo cervical cancer screening, with Hispanic individuals facing the most significant disparities. The analysis of 2015–2018 data from the National Health Interview Survey found that white sexual minority participants and Hispanic sexual minority participants...
A study of 7,000 medical interns found that LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher depressive symptoms than their heterosexual peers during physician training. The gap widens over the course of training, highlighting a need for targeted support and resources.
Research from UMass Amherst found that disbelief in human evolution is associated with higher levels of prejudice and racist attitudes. The study, conducted across 19 Eastern European countries, 25 Muslim countries, and Israel, linked low belief in evolution to biased attitudes towards outgroups and support for discriminatory behavior.
A study found that LGBTQA scientists who hide their identities publish significantly fewer peer-reviewed articles than those who disclose. This could indicate a performance disadvantage due to non-disclosure
A recent study found that men were twice as likely to be victims of online sex blackmailing during the pandemic. Young people, Black and Native American women, and LGBTQ individuals were also at high risk of this cyber-enabled crime. The study revealed race and sexuality-related differences in rates of sextortion.
A new study by Nathan Grant Smith and colleagues found that straight men use anti-gay slurs not due to their sexual orientation but to protect traditional masculine norms. The study suggests that threatening straight men's status can trigger the use of such slurs, highlighting a significant problem in our culture.
A new study by the American Psychological Association found that gay and bisexual men who move from high-stigma to low-stigma countries experience a significantly lower risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The research analyzed data from over 123,000 participants across 48 countries.
A survey of 1,300 US dermatologists reveals that 74% identify as LGBT and most disclose their status to patients. The study highlights the importance of creating inclusive workplaces for LGBT healthcare professionals.
A NIH study found that sexual identity intersects with gender, age, and race/ethnicity to compound suicide risk for some lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were higher among LGB adults compared to heterosexual adults across all demographic groups.
A new study found that healthcare providers hold less favorable judgments about patients who inject drugs, leading to potential lack of access to preventive HIV medication. The study highlights the importance of raising awareness and standardizing access to PrEP for all people, regardless of their risk factors.
The USPSTF report describes methods used to identify recommendations with sex or gender components and propose an approach to making recommendations respectful of gender diversity. The task force aims to clarify the populations for which these recommendations should apply.
Experts warn of a crisis in sex education due to the continued creation and endorsement of abstinence-only curricula. Comprehensive sex education is proven to promote sexual health among adolescents, but its delivery has declined over the last 25 years.
LGBTQ+ surgical residents in the US reported higher instances of prejudice, often perpetrated by attending surgeons, leading to a hostile environment. The study aims to shed light on this issue and inform strategies for improving inclusivity in medical training.
A study analyzing data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Graduate Questionnaire found that sexual minorities, particularly female, are underrepresented in undergraduate medical training and certain specialties. The researchers concluded that standardized data collection and consideration of diversity in recruitment are ...
A study found that 80% of US medical schools do not collect sexual orientation information during admissions, making it difficult to identify and address health disparities. Researchers advocate for updated data collection practices to ensure more inclusive training and support for LGBTQ students and physicians.
A new study finds that LGBTQ+ students in conservative school districts experience more bullying, leading to higher rates of psychological distress and suicidality. In contrast, students in liberal districts report lower levels of bullying and teacher intervention.
A study of over 11,000 individuals found that actively addressing inequalities fosters social change when both disadvantaged and advantaged groups feel heard and accepted. Empowerment through active listening and acknowledgment of injustices are key factors in promoting social justice.
Mary Foltz will serve as a scholar-in-residence at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, expanding the Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive. She aims to share knowledge about rural and smaller urban centers' contributions to national movements.