Members Of Sexual Minority Groups Research Articles

Identity negotiation and subculture recognition: Exploration of a sexual minority group in a Chinese grassroots sport

This case study delves into the experiences of a women's basketball team situated in Shenzhen, South China, comprised primarily of members of sexual minority groups. Utilizing qualitative research methods, including interviews and observation of team dynamics, this research examines how lesbian and bisexual female basketball players navigate societal norms and negotiate their sexual identities. It also highlights the team's unique strategies for dealing with social interactions, group membership, and power dynamics in resisting heteronormative norms. Team B exemplifies a form of queer resistance in Chinese society and sports that is distinct from the Western pride movements and political advocacy. This strategy involves avoiding confrontation and integrating the nonheteronormative subculture into mainstream sports and society to gain support from families, the general public, and local communities, thereby promoting sports inclusivity and gaining social recognition. This study argues, from a post-structural feminist perspective, that participation in a gender-inclusive sports group provides sexual minority individuals with a unique social position and an empowering means of destabilizing power relations and reducing sexual identity tensions. In addition, it demonstrates the capacity of sports subcultures to foster collective agency and resilience in the face of dominant cultural norms, despite the constraints posed by the unaltered macro-level structure of gender. This case study provides valuable insights into how gender-inclusive sports groups can challenge and reshape preconceived notions of gender and sexuality in Chinese society while serving as a platform for queer resistance.

Views about cooperative marriage among sexual minority and heterosexual Chinese international students

AbstractObjectiveWe investigated heterosexual and nonheterosexual Chinese international students' views about cooperative marriages and romantic relationships.BackgroundCooperative marriages and romantic relationships are those in which two partners, one or both of whom self‐identify as nonheterosexual, consent and pretend to be a heterosexual couple as a means of relieving social pressures that require involvement in heterosexual relationships (Kam, 2013).MethodIn total, 265 Chinese international students (Mage = 23 years) participated in an online survey; 210 self‐identified as heterosexual and 55 as members of sexual minority groups.ResultsStudents who identified as members of sexual minority groups reported few aspirations and unfavorable attitudes toward cooperative marriages and relationships. Of the students identifying as members of sexual minority groups, those who envisioned future residence in foreign countries reported fewer aspirations for such relationships than their nonheterosexual peers who anticipated returning to China. Moreover, regardless of sexual identities, students who reported higher endorsement of traditional cultural values held less negative attitudes toward such relationships. For students who identified as members of sexual minority groups, stronger acculturation to the U.S. culture was associated with more negative attitudes toward such relationships.ConclusionOur study found that Chinese international students identifying as members of sexual minority groups held unfavorable views about cooperative marriage and it highlighted the role of transnational mobility and cultures in these views.ImplicationsOur study implied the importance of cultural responsiveness in how health practitioners could better support individuals of diverse sexual identities and cultural backgrounds.

Sexual orientation information and hiring: Can individualizing information lead to negative stereotyping of sexual minority group members?

AbstractImpression formation can be biased by group stereotypes. Experiments on impression formation in the hiring context in which applicants' sexual orientation was manipulated have yielded mixed findings: positive, negative, or no stereotyping and discrimination of lesbian or gay applicants. However, impressions of individuals depend on more than their sexual orientation. The present research targets the question of whether adding individualizing information about an applicant can lead to assimilation to group stereotypes and thus negative impressions. To present individualizing information, we drew on social‐network profiles for their practical relevance in contemporary application processes. Specifically, we tested whether private information concerning the romantic relationship of a lesbian, gay, or bisexual applicant leads to the application of negative stereotypes. In the role of a personnel manager, participants evaluated social‐network profiles and application material. Participants rated one fictitious applicant on agency, communion, and hireability. In Experiment 1 (N = 316), male and female applicants differed in sexual orientation and were additionally depicted alone or being kissed by their partner. In Experiment 2 (N = 419), focusing on male applicants, we hypothesized that negative stereotypes are activated if gay or bisexual, but not heterosexual men live in a non‐normative relationship form (polyamory vs. control: monoamory). Different from expectations, adding individualizing information did not lead to more negative impressions of gay, lesbian, or bisexual applicants. We discuss the implications of these positive impressions for social‐psychological theories.

Greater than the sum of racism and heterosexism: Intersectional microaggressions toward racial/ethnic and sexual minority group members.

Discrimination, once unmistakable, has taken on subtler forms as exemplified by microaggressions-daily, seemingly harmless indignities that send negative messages to minority group members (Sue, Capodilupo, et al., 2007). Furthermore, unique microaggressions exist for individuals who possess more than one stigmatized identity. For example, racial/ethnic minorities who are also lesbian, gay, or bisexual face discrimination that is unlike racism or heterosexism alone or in combination. Thus, to meaningfully investigate how dually marginalized individuals experience various forms of contemporary, covert discrimination, scholars need access to paradigms that better capture their existential realities. Specifically, greater attention must be paid to how interlocking social categories shape experiences of subtle discrimination. To this end, we demonstrate how to conceptualize quantitative research that is mindful of intersectionality-or the interconnection of social identities in creating overlapping and interdependent systems of oppression. We conducted a 2-phase study to examine whether an intersectional methodology better predicted adverse health outcomes for 801 lesbian, gay, and bisexual people of color as compared to an additive/multiplicative approach (i.e., combining scores from two different measures of experiences with racism and heterosexism). Results indicated that intersectionality (vs. additive/multiplicative approach) better measured symptomology for racially diverse sexual minority group members who experienced microaggressions. These findings provide quantitative evidence in support of intersectionality, an achievable methodological approach that captures subtle encounters with discrimination for individuals with interlocking marginalized identities-encounters that would otherwise remain on the fringe of research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

It Gets Better: Themes of Redemption in the Coming Out Narratives of LGBTQ+ Adults

A qualitative analysis of 151 coming out narratives written by members of sexual minority groups or gender minority groups suggested that individuals who disclosed their identity experienced supportive responses from friends and family members more often than nonsupportive ones. The majority of the narrative writers described the coming out process as leading to enhanced levels of communion, as many of the narratives recounted strengthening or forming relationships, feeling understood more authentically by others, and experiencing greater unity and connectedness with others. Many others described an empowering experience that led to a greater sense of personal identity and self-determination. Results suggest that the coming out process can have positive effects on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, marking a positive turning point in their life histories.

Could Johnny Tremain Be Gay? Reinterpretation as a Subversive Act

ABSTRACT Members of sexual minority groups confront a dearth of fictional characters in k-12 curricula with whom they can feel any affinity, particularly in regard to sexual orientation. This is especially problematic for readers who are at odds with themselves and/or society over cultural constructions of normalcy. Queer theory can address this issue by encouraging readers to contest the putative heteronormativity in works of literature. The perennially popular novel Johnny Tremain provides such an opportunity. Though the author, Esther Forbes, depicts the main protagonist as heterosexual, a queer analysis of the novel and comparison to the subsequent film version by Walt Disney suggest that other interpretations are possible. This is significant because healthy identity formation can be fostered by encountering positive portrayals of fictional individuals like oneself. Moreover, promoting self-esteem is consistent with the praxis – the “activist agenda” – that has become an important element of queer criticism.

Disparities in Health Information-Seeking Behaviors and Fatalistic Views of Cancer by Sexual Orientation Identity: A Nationally Representative Study of Adults in the United States.

Purpose: A lack of national data makes it difficult to estimate, but LGB adults appear to have a higher risk of cancer. Although limited research exists to explain the disparity, we aimed to explore potential differences in access to and utilization of health information and in cancer-related beliefs and behaviors. Methods: We used data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 5, Cycle 1 conducted from January 25 through May 5, 2017. Using survey-weighted logistic regression, we explored potential differences in health information-seeking behavior, trusted sources of health care information, engagement with the health care system, awareness of cancer risk factors, cancer fatalism, cancer-related health behaviors, and historical cancer screening between 117 LGB and 2857 heterosexual respondents. Results: LGB respondents were more likely to report looking for information about health or medical topics than heterosexual respondents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.12; confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.07-9.06), but less likely to seek health information first from a doctor (aOR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.06-0.50) after adjusting for age, race, and sex. LGB persons were less likely to report that they trust receiving health or medical information from friends and family and more likely to be worried about getting cancer (aOR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.04-5.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicate a growing need for the production of tailored cancer prevention and control materials for members of sexual minority groups. More work is needed to understand barriers that LGB populations face in accessing this health information and building informative social support networks.

Trajectories of Depressive Symptomatology and Loneliness in Older Adult Sexual Minorities and Heterosexual Groups

ABSTRACTObjectives: This article examines whether sexual minority men and women experience greater increases in depressive symptoms and loneliness with age compared to heterosexual men and women.Methods: Using three waves of data from sexual minority (nMen = 87 and nWomen = 62) and heterosexual (nMen = 1,297 and nWomen = 1,362) older adults in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, we used latent growth curve modeling to test whether change in depressive symptoms and loneliness varies across sexual orientation and whether annual household income and family support accounted for this change.Results: Although differences in the growth trajectories of depressive symptoms and loneliness across sexual orientation were not observed, gender differences were. Annual household income and family support more strongly influenced initial depressive symptoms and loneliness in sexual minority men and women than in heterosexual men and women.Conclusions: Trajectories of depressive symptoms and loneliness in older adulthood do not vary by sexual orientation. Economic and family resources may allow sexual minorities to cope effectively with depressive symptoms and loneliness.Clinical Implications: Clinicians should be cautious about assuming that older sexual minority group members are more susceptible to depressive symptoms and loneliness than heterosexual groups by virtue of their sexual preference.

Change and Constancy.

Change and Constancy Virginia M. Brennan, PhD, MA, JHCPU This issue marks the close of the 29th volume of JHCPU and the approaching close of 2018. While the policies and politics of health care in the United States keep shifting, especially as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), work on the well-being of low-income and underserved populations moves steadily forward. Indeed, since the late 1980s—when the conference that gave rise to the first issue of this journal took place at Meharry Medical College (still our editorial home)—much has changed, while the fact of inequity in health and health care between marginalized and mainstream population groups persists as constantly as the Northern Star. From our point of view, for example, HIV/ AIDS has changed dramatically as the virus has rapidly spread into low-income and minority communities that appeared early on in the epidemic to have been spared. Pharmaceutical interventions such as PrEP and PEP, as well as HAART, have also changed prevention and treatment protocols for HIV/ AIDS during the life of this journal. The paper by Tobin, Winiker, and Smith on the priorities of older Black men who have sex with men serves as an apt symbol for this whole world of changes as the felt need for HIV prevention settles in with financial stability and permanent housing as long-term requirements for healthy lives. Increasingly, too, Transgender and Genderqueer communities are sounding the cry for reforms to the health care their members receive. The paper by Baldwin and colleagues in this issue explores the experiences of sexual minority group members in health care encounters—experiences that can very directly determine whether or not the patient continues to receive care at all, and hence the course of their health throughout the lifespan. The ACA itself continues to evolve, but its success in shoring up care for lower-income people who newly qualify for Medicaid under its provisions appears clear: Evidence in this connection comes from Mahmoudi and colleagues who report increases in having a usual source of care, checkups, and use of preventive care among such swaths of the population. Related to this, two papers in this issue investigate a domain left largely unchanged by the ACA: oral health, especially of older people and others in long-term care settings. Walgama and colleagues argue on the basis of their research into the oral health of people living in long-term care settings that there is a crying need for standards of oral health care in long-term-care settings that can shape both federal and state policies in this connection (policies that presently suffer from variety best described as hodge-podge). Northridge and colleagues investigate the oral health profile of people visiting senior centers (with a particular focus on people with diabetes) in terms of insurance status. The results, again, form only lightly traceable patterns and underscore the need for oral health care coverage among people qualifying for Medicaid. [End Page ix] Two important literature reviews in this issue come to related conclusions: the research conducted in some areas must become more complex and more nuanced. Reno and Hyder find that the study of risk factors for infant mortality (IM)—a site of wide racial/ ethnic disparities in the U.S. and even wider disparities between high-income countries and low-and middle-income countries—must be enhanced by more complex system-level analyses exploring the social determinants of IM. Brown and Chatterjee, too, in studying the literature on dietary patterns of homeless families, conclude with a call for more stratified research on the topic. In these respects, then, research as well as policy must bring more sophisticated tools to the task of studying and finally eliminating health inequities. The papers mentioned specifically here will, we hope, encourage every reader to scan through the many other papers included in this issue for topics of special interest. They include an assessment of how a nurses' strike in Kenya affected childhood immunization rates (Njuguna) and another of why and when Guatemalans use medicinal plants to treat diabetes (Andrews). A number cast a hopeful eye on programs that are working...

Despite Increased Insurance Coverage, Nonwhite Sexual Minorities Still Experience Disparities In Access To Care.

Previous studies suggest that members of sexual minority groups have poorer access to health services than heterosexuals. However, few studies have examined how sexual orientation interacts with gender and race to affect health care experience. Moreover, little is known about the role in health care disparities played by economic strains such as unemployment and poverty, which may result from prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation. Using data for 2013-15 from the National Health Interview Survey, we found that most members of sexual minority groups no longer have higher uninsurance rates than heterosexuals, but many continue to experience poorer access to high-quality care. Gay nonwhite men, bisexual white women, and bisexual and lesbian nonwhite women are disadvantaged in multiple aspects of access, compared to straight white men. Only some of these disparities are attributable to economic factors, which implies that noneconomic barriers to care are substantial. Our results suggest that the intersection of multiple social identities can reveal important gaps in health care experience. Making culturally sensitive services available may be key to closing the gaps.

Changing image of the ideal manager

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the “think manager, think male” research paradigm by examining managerial stereotypes as a function of both gender and sexual orientation, thus comparing the similarity of managerial stereotypes against the stereotypes of male (heterosexual and gay) and female (heterosexual and lesbian) managers. Design/methodology/approach In total, 163 heterosexual participants used the 92-item “Descriptive Index” attribute inventory to rate one of five target groups: successful managers, heterosexual male managers, heterosexual female managers, gay male managers and lesbian female managers. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the degree of correspondence between ratings of the target groups. Findings The findings showed a higher correspondence between the descriptions of heterosexual male or female managers and the successful manager prototype than between the descriptions of gay male managers and the successful manager prototype. Additionally, results showed that the stereotypes of lesbian female managers were seen as having a moderate level of fit with the successful manager prototype. Originality/value This study it is the first empirical investigation to assess whether the “think manager, think male” phenomenon holds for managers who are members of sexual minority groups.

Prevalence and Co-Occurrence of Heavy Drinking and Anxiety and Mood Disorders Among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Canadians.

To investigate the prevalence and co-occurrence of heavy drinking, anxiety, and mood disorders among Canadians who self-identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual. Pooled data from the 2007 to 2012 cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (n = 222 548) were used to fit logistic regression models controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. In adjusted logistic regression models, gay or lesbian respondents had greater odds than heterosexual respondents of reporting anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety-mood disorders. Bisexual respondents had greater odds of reporting anxiety disorders, mood disorders, anxiety-mood disorders, and heavy drinking. Gay or lesbian and bisexual respondents had greater odds than heterosexuals of reporting co-occurring anxiety or mood disorders and heavy drinking. The highest rates of disorders were observed among bisexual respondents, with nearly quadruple the rates of anxiety, mood, and combined anxiety and mood disorders relative to heterosexuals and approximately twice the rates of gay or lesbian respondents. Members of sexual minority groups in Canada, in particular those self-identifying as bisexual, experience disproportionate rates of anxiety and mood disorders, heavy drinking, and co-occurring disorders.

Barriers to Health Care Among Adults Identifying as Sexual Minorities: A US National Study.

To assess the extent to which lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults aged 18 to 64 years experience barriers to health care. We used 2013 National Health Interview Survey data on 521 gay or lesbian (291 men, 230 women), 215 bisexual (66 men, 149 women), and 25 149 straight (11 525 men, 13 624 women) adults. Five barrier-to-care outcomes were assessed (delayed or did not receive care because of cost, did not receive specific services because of cost, delayed care for noncost reasons, trouble finding a provider, and no usual source of care). Relative to straight adults, gay or lesbian and bisexual adults had higher odds of delaying or not receiving care because of cost. Bisexual adults had higher odds of delaying care for noncost reasons, and gay men had higher odds than straight men of reporting trouble finding a provider. By contrast, gay or lesbian women had lower odds of delaying care for noncost reasons than straight women. Bisexual women had higher odds than gay or lesbian women of reporting 3 of the 5 barriers investigated. Members of sexual minority groups, especially bisexual women, are more likely to encounter barriers to care than their straight counterparts.

Heterosexual Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions Toward Bisexual Individuals: Does Geographic Area Make a Difference?

Members of sexual minority groups continue to face discrimination and harassment. Although researchers have examined the experiences of sexual minority groups generally, less research is available that focuses on the unique experiences of each group specifically. Research suggests that bisexual individuals face unique stressors in comparison to gay or lesbian peers. Attitudes and behaviors toward sexual minority groups vary depending on the geographic location of the sample, with rural areas holding the most negative views. However, no research is available that examines this topic as it concerns bisexuality specifically. In response to this gap, the following questions were examined: do the behaviors and attitudes of heterosexuals differ based on the participant's geographic location during his or her upbringing (rural, urban, suburban), and do those reporting a rural hometown possess more negative attitudes toward bisexuals? Findings reflected differences between regions, with the most negative views associated with rural areas and the most positive associated with suburban areas.

Think manager, think male? Heterosexuals’ stereotypes of gay and lesbian managers

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to extend the “think manager, think male” research paradigm by examining managerial stereotypes as a function of both gender and sexual orientation, thus comparing the similarity of managerial stereotypes against the stereotypes of male (heterosexual and gay) and female (heterosexual and lesbian) managers.Design/methodology/approach– In total, 163 heterosexual participants used the 92-item Descriptive Index attribute inventory to rate one of five target groups: successful managers, heterosexual male managers, heterosexual female managers, gay male managers, and lesbian female managers. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the degree of correspondence between ratings of the target groups.Findings– The findings showed a higher correspondence between the descriptions of heterosexual male or female managers and the successful manager prototype than between the descriptions of gay male managers and the successful manager prototype. Additionally, results showed that the stereotypes of lesbian female managers were seen as having a moderate level of fit with the successful manager prototype.Practical implications– The results of this study suggest that heterosexuals’ beliefs about gay male and lesbian female managers’ abilities are important. In particular, heterosexuals’ stereotypes that gay males lack the qualities of being a successful manager can limit gay men’s access to positions with managerial responsibilities and impede their progress into leadership positions.Originality/value– This study addresses a critical gap in the management literature as it is the first empirical investigation to assess whether the “think manager, think male” phenomenon holds for managers who are members of sexual minority groups.

Charitable giving for HIV and AIDS: results from a Canadian national survey.

BackgroundFor the first time, a national survey of adults in Canada posed questions on charitable giving for HIV and AIDS. The objective of this analysis was to explore the behaviour and attitudes of this population in terms of charitable giving.MethodsIn 2011, individuals in Canada 16 years of age or older were recruited for a survey from an online panel supplemented by random digit dial telephone interviewing. The margin of error was +/−2.1 percentage points (95%). Chi-square tests were used to detect bivariate associations. A multivariate logistic regression model was fit to compare those who had donated to HIV and AIDS in the past 12 months with those who had donated to other disease or illness charities.Results2,139 participated. 82.5% had donated to a charitable cause in the past 12 months. 22.2% had ever donated to HIV and AIDS, with 7.8% doing so in the past 12 months. Individuals who had donated to HIV and AIDS versus other disease or illness charities tended to be younger (p<0.05), single (p<0.005), more highly educated (p<0.001) and to self-identify as a member of a sexual minority group (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed individuals who self-identified as a member of a sexual minority group were significantly much more likely to have donated to HIV and AIDS than to other disease or illness charities in the past 12 months (OR, 7.73; p<0.001; CI 4.32–13.88).DiscussionDespite a generally philanthropic orientation, relatively few respondents had ever been involved in charitable giving for HIV and AIDS. Those who had could be understood relationally as individuals at closer social proximity to HIV and AIDS such as members of sexual minority groups.

The use and abuse of religious beliefs in dividing and conquering between socially marginalized groups: The same-sex marriage debate.

This article discusses the use and abuse of religious beliefs and their role in divide-and-conquer strategies. Divide-and-conquer strategies are engaged to disrupt potential coalitions between and among marginalized group members, specifically sexual minority groups and people of color. Tensions between these groups have been exacerbated by the debate on same-sex marriage and comparisons between the discriminatory treatment of each group. A component of this discussion includes a brief exploration of one of the historical abuses of religious doctrine used to legitimize the marginalization of people of color and sexual minorities in the United States. For African Americans, one form of marginalization was reflected in criminalizing interracial marriage, and for members of sexual minority groups, a form of marginalization is denying group members the right to marry. The author also explores culturally competent and respectful disciplinary and clinical responses to religiously derived prejudice against sexual minority group members and people of color and discusses the implications for multicultural discourse.

Sexual Orientation Minorities in College Counseling: Prevalence, Distress, and Symptom Profiles

Sexual minority group members are at a higher risk for mental health difficulties than are heterosexual individuals. The results of this study showed that college student sexual minorities were common in counseling centers and that they were more likely than heterosexual students to seek counseling. The results also showed that sexual orientation groups differed in meaningful ways from one another, and many sexual orientation groups reported higher levels of psychological symptoms than did heterosexual students.

Sexual minority status and trauma symptom severity in men living with HIV/AIDS

Traumatic experiences are common among populations living with HIV; furthermore, the minority stress model indicates that sexual minority group members, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), are more likely to experience negative psychological outcomes after exposure to trauma, given the stress of minority stigma. The current study examined the prevalence of traumatic events and the impact of these events on trauma symptoms in a sample of 113 MSM and 51 men who have sex with women (MSW) who are living with HIV/AIDS. Rates of experiencing trauma were similar for both MSM and MSW. However, MSM, as sexual minority group members, were more likely to report symptoms of trauma and dissociation than MSW. The current study indicates that MSM may experience additional negative psychological outcomes after exposure to trauma. Findings are discussed in the context of implications for HIV prevention with sexual minority group members.

The use and abuse of religious beliefs in dividing and conquering between socially marginalized groups: The same-sex marriage debate.

This article discusses the use and abuse of religious beliefs and their role in divide-and-conquer strategies. Divide-and-conquer strategies are engaged to disrupt potential coalitions between and among marginalized group members, specifically sexual minority groups and people of color. Tensions between these groups have been exacerbated by the debate on same-sex marriage and comparisons between the discriminatory treatment of each group. A component of this discussion includes a brief exploration of one of the historical abuses of religious doctrine used to legitimize the marginalization of people of color and sexual minorities in the United States. For African Americans, one form of marginalization was reflected in criminalizing interracial marriage, and for members of sexual minority groups, a form of marginalization is denying group members the right to marry. The author also explores culturally competent and respectful disciplinary and clinical responses to religiously derived prejudice against sexual minority group members and people of color and discusses the implications for multicultural discourse.