Bisexual Community Research Articles

Politicization as an antecedent of polarization: Evidence from two different political and national contexts.

Using longitudinal research designs, we examine the role of politicization in the development of polarization. We conducted research in two different political and national contexts. In Study 1, we employ a panel sample of supporters of the Tea Party movement in the United States and examine the relationship between the strength of their politicization and their subsequent feelings towards conservatives versus liberals (affective polarization) as well as their subsequent perceptions of commonalities with conservatives versus liberals (cognitive polarization). In Study 2, we employ a panel sample of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community in Germany and examine the politicization-polarization link with regard to feelings towards, and perceived commonalities with, feminists versus supporters of a populist right-wing political party. We obtained converging evidence suggesting that politicization promotes both affective and cognitive polarization. There was also some, but very limited evidence pointing to reverse causation. The danger of escalating polarization is discussed.

Pink is the New Gray: Events as Agents of Social Change

Events become meaningful through the symbolism and affective outcomes associated with participation. They can become mediators of social change, inspiring thought and critique through participation, and changing society and social structures. Challenges to the norm are often characterized by the violence of wresting power, but other forms of peaceful change making are also achievable through planned events. This case study examines the myriad ways in which a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community event challenges Singaporean society's conceptualization of identity, extending the bounds of comfort and acceptance to enact social change. Pink Dot—a 1-day gathering in support of the LGBT community—grew out of the community's pursuit for openness and inclusivity. It champions social exchange and network building while asserting the LGBT community's legal right to equality. The case study made use of secondary data as a basis for examining Pink Dot's impact as a critical event in the realm of social change. It found that while Pink Dot was strong in enabling general acknowledgment of the LGBT community and broad social acceptance, the event was limited in its ability to influence the eradication of discriminatory laws, impeding progress toward equality. The findings contribute to the literature on social cause engagement, while extending understanding of critical events as agents of change. This article also develops a conceptual framework to evaluate the efficacy of using events as agents of social change and encourage further debates and modification of the framework in other contexts.

Disclosure of Sexual Behavior Is Significantly Associated With Receiving a Panel of Health Care Services Recommended for Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). National guidelines recommend that MSM receive HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia screening at least annually, and hepatitis A and B and human papillomavirus vaccinations. We investigated associations between disclosure of male-male sexual orientation/behavior and receipt of this panel of services. Gay, bisexual, and other MSM aged 18 through 26 years were enrolled from health clinics serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities in Los Angeles and Chicago during 2012 to 2014. Participants completed a computer-assisted self-interview regarding health care services, disclosure of sexual orientation/behavior, and recent HIV test results. Proportions receiving recommended care, prevalence ratios (PRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using SAS 9.4. Overall, 817 participants visited a provider within the past year. Of these, 525 (64.3%) had disclosed, and 749 (91.7%) felt they could disclose if important to health. In total, 548 (67.1%) received all STI screenings, and 74 (9.1%) received all vaccinations. Only 105 (12.9%) received any human papillomavirus vaccination. More disclosing participants received all recommended screenings (adjusted PR [aPR],1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.6) and all recommended care components (aPR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4-4.3) than nondisclosing participants. Despite national recommendations, receipt of a complete panel of STI care services was low among young MSM. Vaccine uptake was lower than STI screening. However, most participants visited a health care provider in the past year and most disclosed, suggesting opportunities to improve services. Providers might encourage disclosure by improving sexual history taking and education, which could increase opportunities for MSM to receive recommended care.

Deaths in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender United Kingdom Communities Associated with GHB and Precursors.

Misuse of gammahydroxybutrate (GHB) and its prodrugs gammabutyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol (1,4-BD) has increased greatly since the early 1990s, particularly amongst lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals in recreational and sexual settings, e.g. 'chemsex'. This paper presents an overview of GHB pharmacotoxicology and provides analyses of cases in the LGBT population associated with the use of these substances extracted from the UK's National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths database, to which notification is voluntary. From 1995 to September 2013, 21 GHB/GBL-associated fatalities were reported. None involved 1,4-BD. Typical victims were: Male (100%); White (67%), young (mean age 34 years); employed (90%); with a drug misuse history (81%). Most deaths were accidental (67%) or related to recreational drug use (19%), the remaining (potential) suicides. The majority of fatalities (83%) occurred in private residences, typically following recreational use; others occurred in specific 'gay'-oriented locales including clubs and saunas. Three London boroughs accounted for 62% of all notified deaths, reflecting the concentration of both resident and visiting 'gay' individuals. However, this may be an artefact of the voluntary nature of the data submission procedure in particular areas. GHB/GBL alone was implicated in 10% of fatalities. The following substances were implicated either alone or in combination in the remaining cases (percentages may add to more than 100%): cocaine (38%); alcohol (33%); amphetamines (29%); ecstasy (29%); diazepam (24%); ketamine (24%); mephedrone (24%). Post-mortem blood levels: mean 660 (range 22 - 2335; S.D. 726) mg/L. Significant caution is needed when ingesting GHB/GBL, particularly with alcohol, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and ketamine. Risk of death is increased due to their CNS-depressant properties. Of these, 'chemsex' drugs such as cocaine, mephedrone and ketamine are of note. More awareness is needed in the 'gay' community about risks associated with the consumption of such substances.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Inpatient Satisfaction Survey: Results and Implications.

Background:Disparities in health care among lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) communities have been researched in primary care, but few have examined these phenomena among LGBT inpatients.Methods:Descriptive correlational study. A questionnaire was emailed to an LGBT population for a total of 508 participants. Questionnaires addressed level of satisfaction with hospital employees and whether this was related to their sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). Descriptive statistics describe participants and hospitals. χ2 was used to examine satisfaction and belief based on SOGI, recommendation to LGBT friends, and the relationship between location and likelihood of recommendation.Results:Those reporting dissatisfaction were likely to indicate it was related to their SOGI. They were less likely to recommend the hospital to LGBT friends or family. Analysis between location and recommendation identified rural hospitals as less likely to be recommended.Discussion:Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender patients perceived lack of courtesy by hospital employees to be related to their SOGI.

Apology Strategies Used by Chad Griffin Addressed to The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community

Apology Strategies is a study of speech act investigating how people use language as a mean to repair certain condition between speaker and hearer. There are many ways for people to deliver an apology. We often experience and hear a speaker apologizes without saying the word “sorry” or “apologize”. This article discusses Chad Griffin’s apology as the HRC (Human Right Campaign) leader to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Community. The result of this research shows that there are twenty-one apology utterances delivered by Chad Griffin. From those utterances there are ten utterances are identified as belong to the category of Indirect Apology strategy, thirteen utterances belong to the category of Remedial Support, three utterances belong to Direct Apology Strategy and only one utterance is as Evasive Strategy.

Teachers’ attitudes toward homosexuality and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer community in the United States

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) students are a substantial minority group within U.S. elementary, middle, and high schools. Many LGBQ students face harassment and discrimination, which can contribute to educational and psychological problems. Teachers play key roles in students’ school experiences, and their attitudes about homosexuality can influence their behavior toward LGBQ students. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of teachers’ positive and negative LGBQ-related attitudes, potential changes in attitudes over time, and demographic and social variables that may be related to teachers’ attitudes. This study uses data from 305 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, collected in waves 2006–2014 of the General Social Survey. Results indicate that teachers’ attitudes toward homosexuality have become more favorable over time; however, many teachers still hold negative attitudes. Just under half of teachers exhibited at least one negative LGBQ-related attitude. Age, political conservativeness, religious attendance, and carryover of religious beliefs were significantly associated with negative LGBQ attitudes. Teachers with a fundamentalist religious orientation tended to have more negative attitudes about homosexuality than teachers with more progressive religious orientations. Negative attitudes were more often found among teachers of color, compared to White teachers, and teachers in the South, Midwest, and Mountain regions tended toward more negative attitudes than teachers in the Northeast and Pacific regions. Teachers have an ethical responsibility to see that all students, regardless of sexual orientation, receive a quality education. Education and training are needed to address problematic attitudes that may negatively affect LGBQ students.

Examining the blue line in the rainbow: the interactions and perceptions of law enforcement among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities

ABSTRACT Despite the fact that LGBTQ individuals are at greater risk of victimization than the average citizen, the LGBTQ community’s relationship with law enforcement has been a turbulent one. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, semi-structured interviews and observations of town hall meetings, and following the participatory action research framework, this study examines the interactions between the LGBTQ community and law enforcement, and the perceptions of police within the LGBTQ community. The current study demonstrates how members of the LGBTQ community continue to have negative experiences with police that adversely impact their perceptions of law enforcement. Moreover, the findings underline the importance of examining how multiple identities impact an individual’s experiences with and their perceptions of law enforcement. Expanding past research on this topic, this study offers an analysis based upon suggestions of the study’s participants of what steps must be taken in order to improve relations between these two groups.

Navigating Intersectional Approaches, Methods, and Interdisciplinarity to Health Equity in LGBTQ+ Communities

The broad spectrum of health services and wellness surrounding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities operates within multiple layers of social inequities. Research using intersectionality features numerous research methods purposed specifically for clarity toward increasing health equity. Generated in the scope of various research methods (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods), utilizing intersectionality illustrates potential to explore complex phenomena and outcomes within LGBTQ+ communities. As intersectionality thrives on interdisciplinarity, this article focuses on three overarching purposes: (a) accentuate health equity and social justice across an interdisciplinary scope for LGBTQ+ communities, (b) highlight formative principles grounded in intersectionality, and (c) supplement recommendations for research targeting health equity.

A Portfolio Analysis of Culturally Tailored Trials to Address Health and Healthcare Disparities.

In 2010, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) was authorized by Congress to improve the quality and relevance of evidence available to help patients, caregivers, employers, insurers, and policy makers make better-informed health decisions. We conducted a qualitative analysis of behavioral health trials in the PCORI Addressing Disparities portfolio to examine cultural tailoring strategies across the following priority populations: racial and ethnic minorities, rural populations, people with low-income or low socioeconomic status, individuals with disabilities, people with low health literacy, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities. The Common Strategies for Enhancing Cultural Appropriateness model was used to examine cultural tailoring strategies within trials. We hypothesized increased intersectionality within a patient population at risk for disparities would correlate with the dosage and type of cultural tailoring strategies applied. Thirty-three behavioral health trials applied cultural tailoring strategies and a majority of trials (n = 30) used three or more strategies. Trends in cultural tailoring were associated with certain racial and ethnic groups; however, increased use of tailoring was not associated with the number of priority populations included in a trial. The PCORI Addressing Disparities portfolio demonstrates how a range of cultural tailoring strategies are used, within comparative clinical effectiveness research trials, to address the needs and intersectionality of patients to reduce health and healthcare disparities.

The next trans-atlantic frontier: examining the Impact of Language Choice on Support for Transgender Policies in the United Kingdom and the United States

ABSTRACTAs American and British gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals have made major wins for “pinnacle rights,” such as same-sex marriage, attention has increasingly moved to a previously overshadowed part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community: transgender (trans) people. Alongside more visibility in popular culture, trans people have been the subject of policy debates and proposals in both countries, seeking to both restrict and expand their rights. In this article we examine the extent to which language choice affects public support for policies pertaining to trans people in the United States and United Kingdom. We draw upon two survey experiments conducted in the United States and United Kingdom in July 2016 and find that, in general, different ways of referring to the trans population do not affect policy opinions. This study has implications for both understandings of the effectiveness of framing in increasingly media savvy environments and for the future of trans-related policies in the United States and United Kingdom.

Dance/Movement Therapists’ Attitudes and Actions Regarding LGBTQI and Gender Nonconforming Communities

This study examined dance/movement therapists’ attitudes and actions regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex (LGBTQI), and gender nonconforming communities (GNC). Building on similar studies conducted by music therapists and drama therapists, 42 survey questions were used to understand dance/movement therapists’ knowledge, preparedness, and how competent practice is being defined and enacted. The findings were analyzed based on 361 responses (26% response rate). Respondents were primarily professionals from the US (88%) who identified as female or cisgender female (91%) with a master’s degree (67%). The majority (87%) of dance/movement therapists reported being open and affirming, and 50% reported seeking supervision to counsel clients from the LGBTQI and GNC communities. However, a gap between the attitudes and applications of clinical skills was found. Sixty-two percent identified socio-political and/or legal issues, 48% named specific open and affirming approaches, and less than 1% reported the use of supervision as an approach to work with these communities. Fifty-two percent reported that clients’ sexual orientation had no influence on their choice of music, movement, or other interventions, and 43% reported the same for gender identity. The lack of knowledge and preparedness point to the need for more training and supervision. Advocacy counseling on the individual, institutional, and societal levels are suggested. More aesthetic research on movement, music, and prop choices are also recommended.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 749 Summary: Marriage and Family Building Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Gender Nonconforming Individuals.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reaffirms its support of unrestricted access to legal marriage for all adults. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists believes that no matter how a child comes into a family, all children and parents deserve equitable protections and access to available resources to maximize the health of that family unit. Obstetrician-gynecologists should recognize the diversity in parenting desires that exists in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender nonconforming communities and should take steps to ensure that clinical spaces are affirming and open to all patients, such that equitable and comprehensive, reproductive health care can meet the needs of these communities. This Committee Opinion is updated to include and capture a broader diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender nonconforming communities, and their desires surrounding family formation, including legal recognition and benefits, and additional support of the positive effect marriage equality has on physical, mental, and financial health.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 749: Marriage and Family Building Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Gender Nonconforming Individuals.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reaffirms its support of unrestricted access to legal marriage for all adults. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists believes that no matter how a child comes into a family, all children and parents deserve equitable protections and access to available resources to maximize the health of that family unit. Obstetrician-gynecologists should recognize the diversity in parenting desires that exists in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender nonconforming communities and should take steps to ensure that clinical spaces are affirming and open to all patients, such that equitable and comprehensive, reproductive health care can meet the needs of these communities. This Committee Opinion is updated to include and capture a broader diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender nonconforming communities, and their desires surrounding family formation, including legal recognition and benefits, and additional support of the positive effect marriage equality has on physical, mental, and financial health.

Persistent and multisite homophobic harassment during childhood and adolescence and its association with school difficulties in gay and bisexual men in Taiwan

Abstract Background: Homophobic harassment can compromise mental health of sexual minority youths. Objectives: This study examined the rates of persistent and multisite homophobic harassment and their associations with school difficulties during childhood and adolescence among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. Methods: Participants were recruited through advertisements on the Facebook, Bulletin Board Systems, and the home pages of health promotion and counseling centers for the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. The experiences of traditional and cyber harassment based on gender role nonconformity and sexual orientation of 500 gay or bisexual men were examined. The associations of multisite and persistent harassment victimization with school difficulties were evaluated. Results: A total of 239 (47.8%) and 131 (26.2%) participants experienced persistent and multisite harassment victimization, respectively. Harassment victimization was significantly associated with low satisfaction with academic performance in any stage of study. Moreover, the participants who were harassed in senior high schools were more likely to miss classes or be truant than those who were not harassed. The victims of multisite harassment at senior high schools were more likely to miss classes or be truant than those of school-only harassment. Discussion: Prevention and intervention programs are warranted to reduce homophobic harassment in sexual minority youths.

'It's just an excuse to slut around': gay and bisexual mens' constructions of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a social problem.

Since the 2012 FDA approval of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as a method to prevent HIV, its uptake among gay and bisexual men has been met with conflict. Drawing on discussions of PrEP from focus groups with gay and bisexual men in New York City (N=5 groups, n=32 participants), we sought to make meaning of the moral debate surrounding the implementation of biomedical HIV prevention medications. Grounded in the constructionist perspective on social problems, this case study focuses on the competing claims making activities gay and bisexual men engage in when framing PrEP and PrEP users. As HIV prevention is a communicative endeavour, analysing the micro level social problems work on PrEP provides key insight into the subcultural norms and values that shape sexual health practices and beliefs within gay and bisexual communities.

Dying in Long-Term Care: Perspectives from Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults about Their Fears and Hopes for End of Life

As lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities age, many individuals expect a need to enter the long-term care system toward the end of life. Not unlike most aging Canadians, this anticipation is met with concern and fear. However, previous research suggests that older LGBTQ + individuals have unique fears often related to personal safety and discrimination. This qualitative study examined the hopes and fears of older LGBTQ + adults considering long-term care as they face end of life. Data were collected from three focus groups in Ontario, Canada, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Specific and frequent reference to fear of entering long-term care homes was common across all focus groups, as participants anticipated: social isolation, decreased independence and capacity for decision-making, increased vulnerability to LGBTQ+-related stigma as well as exposure to unsafe social and physical environments. The results from this study, therefore, emphasize the need for palliative care specialists and long-term care home staff to address the unique health needs of older LGBTQ + adults nearing the end of life in order to work toward allaying fears and creating supportive and inclusive long-term care environments.

Alcohol as Coping: Internalized Homophobia and Heterosexism’s Role in Alcohol Use among Lesbians

Despite prior research on alcohol use within lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) communities, little attention has been paid to the unique experiences of lesbians who have struggled with chronic alcohol use. This study used in-depth, semistructured interviews and an interpretive phenomenological framework to explore the perceptions of past alcohol use of six currently sober lesbians between the years 2008 and 2009. Three major themes emerged: alcohol use as coping with internalized homophobia/homonegativity, alcohol use as coping with heterosexism, and the role of alcohol in LGB spaces. Discussion includes implications for counselors as well as directions for future research.

Minority Stress and Mental Health Among Bisexual and Lesbian Women in Norway

abstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between minority stress, social belongingness to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGB[T+]) community, and mental health among lesbian and bisexual women. The data were collected using a web-based questionnaire. The self-selected sample consisted of 499 respondents, of which 33% were bisexual women and 67% were lesbian women. All women reported low levels of minority stress, moderate levels of belongingness to the LGB(T+) community, and most reported good mental health. Bisexual women reported higher levels of minority stress, lower levels of belongingness to the LGB(T+) community, and worse mental health than lesbian women. The strongest minority stress factor among bisexual women was concealment, whereas among lesbian women it was internalized homonegativity. Although there were several associations between belongingness to the LGB(T+) community and mental health among lesbian women, no similar relationship was found among bisexual women.

Delivering LGBTQ-sensitive care

Abstract:Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community have historically faced prejudices, often resulting in significant health disparities. Critical care nurses have a duty to provide all patients, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, with th