Health Disparities in Lgbt Population Essay Example

individuals regarding smoking, alcohol abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). McLaughlin et al. (2012) discovered that childhood adversity like street life and partner violence significantly contributed to sexual orientation disparities in poor mental health. However, more research is necessary to address challenges from previous studies. For instance, the Add Health study only included individuals aged 18-27 and none of the earlier studies utilized the CDC-developed ACE inventory – a population-based monitoring tool for childhood adversity (McLaughlin et al., 2012). Various specific health disparities are associated with LGBT individuals.

Discrimination in healthcare against the LGBT community results in reduced medical treatment and limited access to consistent care. Consequently, this community experiences heightened vulnerability to a range of health issues, some of which exhibit more severe symptoms. Such disparities encompass smoking, alcohol consumption, substance abuse, mental health conditions (including anxiety and depression), sexual and reproductive health complications, eating disorders, obesity, heart problems, elevated rates of sexually transmitted diseases, and an increased risk of cancer due to decreased screenings. Additionally, LGBT youth are particularly susceptible to elevated rates of suicide and depression.

In New York City, a significant number of young people who are homeless identify as LGBT because they have been expelled from their homes. This group experiences high rates of violence, victimization, and harassment, including bullying in schools.

Historical Data

Despite increased recognition of the LGBT population in recent years, extensive data on anti-LGBT violence indicates that being gay in America is still dangerous. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) reports that around 20-25% of gay and lesbian individuals experience hate crimes at least once in their lifetime. In 2014, the NCAVP released the most recent information on violence

against the LGBT population.

The coalition gathered data from 16 NCAVP members and affiliates in 14 states. The data was collected through survivors who reported incidents to LGBTQ anti-violence programs, used the organization's hotline numbers, or utilized online reporting. Since 2007, there has been an increase in documented homicides against the LGBT population. This increase could be attributed to heightened reporting by media or affected individuals. According to the coalition's report, LGBTQ and Transgender women, as well as HIV-affected individuals (including transgender individuals of color), face a higher risk of homicide compared to other LGBTQ individuals. Strangers are more likely to attack LGBT individuals; almost 78% of interviewees in the NCAVP survey reported that their violence experience was from an unknown offender (Shelton, 2017).

Kemp (2016) states that the response from law enforcement towards violence targeting the LGBT community is inconsistent, with many victims reporting unresponsiveness or unfriendliness from the police. This negative interaction causes nearly half of these victims to choose not to report such attacks. Law enforcement officers disproportionately target LGBTQ individuals, particularly those who are people of color, transgender, gender non-conforming, or youth, resulting in various forms of state violence (Kemp, 2016). Presently, there are around one million gay or transgender individuals serving in local, state, or municipal government positions in America.

Individuals in public service professions, such as teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, nurses, and child-care providers, face the potential danger of discrimination and termination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, these workers often do not enjoy equal workplace benefits compared to their heterosexual and cisgender colleagues (Burns, Graham & Menefee-Libey, 2012).

Although laws and policies have been implemented to safeguard gay

and transgender public sector employees by preventing workplace discrimination and guaranteeing equitable job benefits, a considerable portion of the US population lives in states that continue to prohibit such discrimination. The majority of state workers (57%) are not legally protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation, and an even greater percentage (69%) lack legal protection for transgender individuals. In order to tackle this problem, the federal government has proposed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act along with other legislative measures aiming to establish comprehensive and enduring protection for gay and transgender employees.

To address the lack of legal protection for gay and transgender employees, state and local level policy solutions can be implemented. Unions can also advocate for fair treatment through contracts and advocacy efforts. However, in order to ensure equal treatment for these individuals working in state and local governments, it is crucial for Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). ENDA would make it illegal to discriminate against employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity in all states and the District of Columbia, both in public and private employment. This comprehensive protection would benefit a majority of gay and transgender employees. Additionally, the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act would repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act which defines marriages as between one man and one woman when it comes to federal government matters.

This legislation (gpo.gov, 2012) has negative consequences for same-sex couples, specifically regarding taxes on health benefits provided by employers to their same-sex partners. The repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act would remove this unnecessary tax burden for both employees (including state and municipal workers) and employers (such as state

or municipal governments).

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, established in 1948, declares that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms described in the Declaration without any form of discrimination. However, there is still work to be done. Increasingly, individuals openly express their sexual orientations and advocate for their rights. As a result of these efforts (Paternotte & Tremblay, 2015), support for LGBT rights is growing globally, leading to the legalization of LGBT rights and anti-discrimination laws in specific countries.

Prominent international human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are at the forefront of combating such injustices and actively campaigning for change.

In the future, there will be a global effort to decrease persecution based on sexual orientation and prevent hate crimes and hate propaganda targeting LGBT rights. The primary concerns will also include achieving equal freedoms and rights such as marriage, common law trusts, medical decision-making, wills and estates, child care, and adoption. It will be essential to educate others about homophobia and heterosexism (Whitehead, Shaver & Stephenson, 2016). According to Healthy People (2020), improving healthcare access for the LGBT community is a priority for further research and intervention. However, despite these positive advancements, many LGBT individuals remain vulnerable to severe human rights violations due to deeply ingrained homophobic and transphobic beliefs as well as inadequate legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBT individuals face mistreatment in various settings, including the workplace, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. They are subjected to discrimination, neglect, and rejection from their own families (Goldberg & Allen, 2013). Acts such as physical violence, harassment, sexual assault, torture, and execution specifically target them. It

is crucial to enact laws that address and prevent such behavior. In about 75 countries, same-sex relationships are criminalized by unjust laws. As a result of this legal situation, individuals can be arrested or convicted and may even face the death penalty in certain cases (Mayock et al., 2009). The daily occurrence of homophobic harassment and abuse towards LGBT individuals is an undeniable reality (Sears, 2005).

The text emphasizes the lack of equal rights and security for same-sex couples in most EU countries, leading to discrimination and disadvantages within social protection systems. It is necessary for legislation to be passed by the European Parliament in order to ensure fair treatment for LGBT individuals. Many LGBT people are afraid of losing their jobs, causing them to conceal their sexual orientation or endure harassment at work. Young LGBT individuals are particularly vulnerable as they face hostility from families, relationships, and schools, resulting in negative consequences such as underperformance, dropping out, mental health issues, and homelessness.
This bias not only denies LGBT people access to crucial social benefits like employment, healthcare, education, and housing but also isolates and marginalizes them in society. The paper highlights the challenges faced by LGBT individuals worldwide and emphasizes the importance of the international community uniting to prohibit any acts of discrimination against them (Sarah, 2002).

Members of the LGBT community frequently experience limited control over their lives and resources, leading to victimization and negative public perception. This ultimately diminishes opportunities for societal contribution, resulting in low self-confidence, isolation, and a lack of access to crucial social resources like education, health services, housing, wages, and recreational activities. The consequences of social segregation are consistent across different

forms of marginalization such as race, gender, homophobia, transphobia, and other factors. To address these distinct challenges faced by LGBT individuals, governments may need to establish specialized agencies.

Discrimination and exclusion from society are common consequences faced by LGBT individuals who deviate from traditional heterosexual, non-transgender behavior. Such marginalized individuals often find themselves deprived of essential services like medical care, legal rights, justice, and educational opportunities. This deprivation is clearly highlighted in a study conducted by Chatterjee (2014), which discovered that approximately 30% of LGBT youth in the United States have been subjected to physical harassment by family members due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Approximately 40% of homeless LGBT youth in the United States face discrimination from their families, which not only hinders efforts to prevent homelessness but also leads to risky behavior that increases the likelihood of HIV transmission. Moreover, this discrimination presents challenges for HIV-positive LGBT young individuals in accessing appropriate medical care and psychosocial support. With limited support options available, many LGBT youth resort to activities like sex work as a means of survival, further marginalizing themselves and raising their risk of contracting HIV.

References

1. Blosnich, J. R., & Andersen, J. P. (2015). Thursday’s child: the role of adverse childhood experiences in explaining mental health disparities among lesbian, gay, and bisexual US adults. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 50(2), 335-338.
2. Crosby Burns, Kate Childs Graham, and Sam Menefee-Libey C. (2012).

The article "Gay and Transgender Discrimination in the Public Sector" can be found at .
To learn about the Respect for Marriage Act of 2011, S. 598, 112 Cong. 2 sess., please visit .
A study conducted in 2012 by McLaughlin KA, Hatzenbuehler ML,

Xuan Z, Conron KJ explored the relationship between early-life adversity and disparities in psychiatric morbidity associated with sexual orientation.

Child Abuse & Neglect.;36(9):645–655. PMC free article PubMed

Levitt, N. (2014, July). Enhancing Clinical Skills in Caring for LGBT Clients in a Hospital Setting. Retrieved November 03, 2016, from <https://www.hss.edu/professional->conditions_enhancing-clinical-skills-LGBT-care-hospital-setting.asp

Robinson, J.

Diversity in human interactions: The tapestry of America. New York: Oxford University Press. (2003).

The Ashgate research companion to lesbian and gay activism. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate.

(2015). Cancer and the LGBT community: Unique perspectives from risk to survivorship.
Goldberg, A. E., & Allen, K. R. (2013).

LGBT-parent families: Innovations in research and implications for practice.

Westport, Conn. u.a.: GreenwoodPress.
Stone, A. L. (2012). Gay rights at the ballot box. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Chatterjee, S.

(2014). Problems Faced by LGBT People in the Mainstream Society: Some

Recommendations

1. Whitehead, J., Shaver, J., & Stephenson, R. (2016).Outness, Stigma, and Primary Health Care Utilization among Rural LGBT Populations.PLoS ONE, 11(1), e0146139. <http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0146139.>
2. Healthy People 2020. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health November 1, 2014. Available: <http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health.>
3. Mayock, P., Bryan, A., Carr, N. and Kitching, K. (2009) Supporting LGBT Lives: A Study of the Mental Health and Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People. Dublin: GLEN and BeLonG To.

(May 18, 2002), Seeking a Safe Place, New York Blade.