Full Answer Section

Gender and Sexuality Concepts

• Gender Identity: A person’s internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or another gender.
• Gender Expression: How a person outwardly presents their gender through clothing, behavior, and other means.
• Sexual Orientation: A person’s enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes.  

Social and Political Context

Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LBT) individuals often face discrimination and stigma due to societal norms and prejudices. This can lead to marginalization, social exclusion, and limited access to resources and opportunities.  

Social Determinants of Health Affecting LBT Individuals

• Minority Stress: The chronic stress experienced by stigmatized groups due to prejudice and discrimination.  
• Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Social Exclusion: Isolation and lack of social support due to stigma and discrimination.  

Barriers to Health Care

• Discrimination: Fear of judgment or mistreatment by healthcare providers.  
• Lack of Cultural Competence: Healthcare providers may not be knowledgeable about the specific health needs of LBT individuals.  
• Financial Barriers: LBT individuals may be more likely to be uninsured or underinsured due to employment discrimination or lack of access to affordable healthcare.  

Healthcare Disparities

LBT individuals experience significant health disparities compared to the general population, including:

• Mental Health: Higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts.  
• Substance Use: Increased risk of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.
• Sexual Health: Increased risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.  
• Cancer: Higher rates of certain cancers, such as breast and cervical cancer, among lesbians and bisexual women.  

It’s important to note that these are general trends and that individual experiences may vary greatly. Addressing these disparities requires a multi-faceted approach, including increasing cultural competency among healthcare providers, reducing stigma and discrimination, and improving access to affordable healthcare.