Gynecological Health Care for Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Individuals essay

Gynecological Health Care for Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Individuals essay

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) population constitutes a distinct community of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations (Quinn et al., 2020). Billard and Gross (2020) noted that while the LGBTQ community encompasses various groups, they share a common experience of facing disparities that lead to discrimination, prejudice, and stigma. This analytical essay aims to enhance understanding of gynecological health care for lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender individuals.

Gender and Sexuality Concepts

Butler et al. (2016) explained that LGB refers to sexual orientation, while T and Q are concepts related to gender identity. Empirical studies have shown that LGB individuals and transgender and queer identities, both in the United States and globally, often lack adequate medical services and suffer from various health disparities, making them vulnerable to communicable and non-communicable diseases and other social and economic disadvantages (Rahman, 2019; Quinn et al., 2020).

Social and Political Context

Rahman (2019) pointed out that non-heterosexual orientation significantly affects the challenges faced by LGBTQ community members in accessing quality, tailored, and affordable health care. Recent statistics indicate that approximately 1.2% to 15% of the US population identifies as part of the LGBT community, representing diverse ethnicities, ages, beliefs, geographical locations, and cultural backgrounds (Quinn et al., 2020). According to the minority stress model, Butler et al. (2016) argued that the LGBT movement emerged as a powerful global socio-political force, challenging traditional notions of sexuality and gender and advocating for equality, moving away from patriarchal heteronormative behaviors that have historically defined mainstream concepts of gender and sexuality.

Episodic, Comprehensive, and Alternative SOAP Note Example

Hafeez et al. (2017) further reported that increased social stigmatization of sexual minorities has raised concerns about the higher vulnerability of LGBT communities to health problems such as HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, alcoholism, unprotected sex, obesity, breast and cervical cancer, bullying, mental disorders, and violent behavior. Billard and Gross (2020) added that social stigmatization experienced by LGBT individuals is exacerbated by discriminatory practices and limited access to health care, exacerbated by rising homophobia. Rahman (2019) noted that homophobia has contributed to prejudice and discrimination against LGBT groups worldwide, despite public health policies advocating pro-equality reforms. Patrick and Markel (2020) emphasized the significant efforts of the LGBT movement to create networks, stage public demonstrations, lobby for political representation, and initiate political changes in support of LGBT rights in the United States.

Social Determinants of Health Affecting LGBTQ

Hafeez et al. (2017) argued that despite the establishment of LGBT identities as an important step toward pro-equality reforms, the prevalence of homophobia remains a major barrier to health care access for LGBT community members. Alencar Albuquerque et al. (2016) noted that many health care providers still use heterosexuality as the standard for determining gender and sexual identity, leading to discrimination and inequality. Social determinants, including the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, age, employment, and socioeconomic status, have hindered equitable, universal, and reasonable access to health care. The demands of the LGBT movement emphasize inclusivity, diversity, tolerance, and the defense of gender and sexual orientation identities. As a result, policies promoting inclusion and respect for diversity have been implemented in various sectors, including education and health (Butler et al., 2016). However, the contested identities of LGBT communities have challenged conventional social norms, leading to shifts in mainstream cultural values worldwide (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2021). Amy and Davis (2021) argued that societal attitudes toward homosexuality and queerness have come under scrutiny for potentially shifting national cultures away from traditional sexual mores. In practice, social determinants affecting the health of the LGBT population are deeply rooted in social stigmatization and discrimination, influencing access to health care, health status, and health outcomes for sexual minorities.

Barriers to Health Care

From a gender diversity perspective, Amy and Davis (2021) highlighted key barriers to accessing health services that have historically hindered the integration of sexual and gender identities and communities into mainstream populations. Barriers to health care access for LGBT communities include limited access to health care and health insurance, lower socioeconomic status, insufficient availability of fertility services for lesbian women, provider training gaps, biased professional practices, and cultural constraints (Patrick & Markel, 2020). The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2021) noted that the prevalence of biphobia, homophobia, heterosexism, and transphobia within social and political institutions has exacerbated the list of threats to the health of LGBT communities. Consequently, core barriers to health care access for most LGBT community members are exacerbated by discrimination, social exclusion, lack of provider knowledge, and the invisibility of the struggles of LGBT individuals (Quinn et al., 2020).

Health Care Disparities

Hafeez et al. (2017) pointed out that the LGBT population faces a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, with gay men experiencing higher HIV infection rates than heterosexual men. Disparities also exist in the disproportionate rates of sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, human papillomavirus, and syphilis, among men who have sex with men. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents and young adults have been found to have higher rates of obesity, illicit substance use, and alcohol consumption compared to their heterosexual peers (Amy and Davis, 2021). Consequently, LGBT community members experience significantly more physical, emotional, and sexual trauma, contributing to health disparities and higher all-cause morbidity and mortality rates among LGBT individuals compared to heterosexuals (Patrick & Markel, 2020).

Conclusion

This report highlights the numerous barriers faced by LGBT communities in accessing equitable, high-quality, patient-centered health care and support. Social determinants, along with political and social constraints, have contributed to increasing health disparities and their consequences for LGBTQ populations worldwide, whether in developed or emerging nations.

References

Alencar Albuquerque, G., de Lima Garcia, C., & da Silva Quirino, G. (2016). Access to health services by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons: systematic literature review. BMC International Health and Human Rights, 16, 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12914-015-0072-9

Amy, L., & Davis, S. (2021). LGBT Social Movements. Oxford Bibliographies. DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756384-0219

Billard, T. J., & Gross, L. (2020). LGBTQ Politics in Media and Culture. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343889708_LGBTQ_Politics_in_Media_and_Culture

Butler, M., McCreedy, E., & Schwer, N. (2016). Improving Cultural Competence to Reduce Health Disparities [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 170, 3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK361118/

Hafe

The purpose of this paper is to better understand gynecological health care for lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.
•	Define and describe for lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.
o	Gender and sexuality concepts.
o	Social and political context.
o	Social determinants of health affecting lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.
o	Barriers to health care.
o	Health care disparities.
Submission Instructions:
•	The paper is to be clear and concise and students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation and misspelling.
•	The paper is to be no shorter than 4-5 pages in length, excluding the title and references page.
•	Your paper should be formatted per APA. academic sources no older than 5 years (2016-2021).
•	 Incorporate current practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment and a minimum of 6 current (published within the last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work. Journal articles and books should be referenced according to APA style (the library has a copy of the APA Manual).