Even though LGBTQ+ Americans have made social and legal gains in recent years, health disparities have persisted and continue to undermine LGBTQ+ well-being. Perhaps most prominent among health disparities is the ever-present shadow of HIV/AIDS across all LGBTQ+ communities, and especially in the lives of LGBTQ+ persons of color and young men. In addition to the risks posed by HIV/AIDS and other STIs, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to attempt or complete suicide; transgender women have the highest rates of suicidal ideation/attempts in the country at around 40%. (APA.org, 2013; James, et al., 2016) From the APA, additional health disparities include:
risk of injury via harassment, victimization, and violence
chronic stress and trauma due to persistent homophobia and transphobia
social determinants such as homelessness, poor family life, geographic location
substance abuse, smoking, alcohol abuse
higher rates of obesity among lesbian-identifying women
health and wellness exams that do not correlate with gender identity
chronic loneliness and fears of isolation
As stated by the NIH, "eliminating [these and other] LGBT health disparities and enhancing efforts to improve LGBT health are necessary to ensure that LGBT individuals can lead long, healthy lives." (Healthypeople.gov, 2018) This is particularly necessary, not only to make LGBTQ+ health more equitable, but also because reducing sex/gender stigmatization allows persons who identify as heterosexual and/or cisgenderto explore their own sexuality and gender identity without fear of discrimination.
"Black LGBTQ youth’s identification with multiple marginalized identities might make them more susceptible to negative experiences and decreased mental health. Both LGBTQ youth and Black youth report higher rates of poor mental health due to chronic stress stemming from the marginalized social status they have in U.S. society. However, very little research has quantitatively explored outcomes specific to Black LGBTQ youth. This report utilizes an intersectional lens to contribute to our understanding of the Black LGBTQ youth experience among a national sample of over 2,500 Black LGBTQ youth by highlighting and building upon many of the findings released from The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2020 as they relate to Black LGBTQ youth."
"The mission of the APA Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge on gender identity and sexual orientation to benefit society and improve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people's lives."
The CDC's health information resources for LGBTQ+ populations, this site covers gay and bisexual men and women, LGBT youth, transgender persons, and health needs that fall into the domains of disease control, prevention, and awareness.
"The Fenway Institute is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education, and policy development, focusing on national and international health issues. Our mission is to ensure access to quality, culturally competent medical and mental health care for traditionally underserved communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and those affected by HIV/AIDS."
GLAAD is a media-based organization that focuses on journalism, media advocacy, and outreach to push for cultural changes. While not focused primarily on healthcare, GLAAD does provide resources and work directly related to combating HIV/AIDS.
GLSEN is the most vocal lobbying and advocacy group promoting well-being for LGBTQ+ youth, primarily by pushing for changes to state and federal laws as well as school policies and curricula.
The HRC is one of the most vocal lobbying and advocacy groups for LGBTQ+ communities in America. Their Healthcare Equality Index has become an essential "benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees."
HealthHIV is affiliated with the National Coalition for LGBT Health, and is one of the most prominent HIV/AIDS advocacy networks in the United States. Outreach efforts include: "health departments, AIDS directors, AIDS service organizations, municipal leadership, health centers, faith and community-based organizations, primary care, and allied health".
Describes health disparities and outcomes for LGBTQ+ populations in the U.S., sets goals for 2020, and provides resources for organizations to meet those goals.
"In this study, we provide data and research documenting the prevalence of several forms of stigma and discrimination against LGBT adults and youth in Arizona, including discrimination and harassment in employment, housing, and public accommodations; bullying and harassment in schools; and family rejection of LGBT youth. We discuss the implications of such stigma and discrimination on LGBT individuals, in terms of health and economic security; on employers, in terms of employee productivity, recruitment, and retention; and on the economy, in terms of health care costs and reduced productivity."
An essential resource for LGBTQ+ communities, providers, and policy makers, "Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work."
Part of an extended coalition that also promotes community health interventions for HIV/AIDS, the National Coalition for LGBT Health focuses on advocacy, education, and research as well as training in community-based activism.
"The National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by: educating the LGBT community about our increased cancer risks and the importance of screening and early detection; training health care providers to offer more culturally-competent, safe and welcoming care; and advocating for LGBT survivors in mainstream cancer organizations, the media and research."
The National LGBT Health Education Center is a program facilitated by the Fenway Institute, perhaps the most prominent research and educational partner focused specifically on healthcare.
"The Task Force" focuses on legislative action and activism to promote increases in equity for LGBTQ+ populations. It is particularly noteworthy as the organization which supports and reports on the US Trans Survey.
"LGBT HealthLink, a program of CenterLink, is a community-driven network of experts and professionals enhancing LGBT health by reducing tobacco, cancer, and other health disparities within our communities. We are one of eight CDC-funded cancer and tobacco disparity networks. We link people and information to promote adoption of best practices in health departments and community organization to reduce LGBT cancer and tobacco disparities."
One-N-Ten serves at-risk LGBTQ+ youth in and around Maricopa County. They are a robust network with access to healthcare, housing, food, and education.
PFLAG is a grassroots, community-based organization with chapters in towns and municipalities across the country. It is often a front line service for LGBTQ+ people looking for to participate in a safe community.
The Southwest Center provides health literacy, advocacy, behavioral health, gender affirming healthcare, information about PREP and a range of other healthcare services.
Disparities in transgender / gender-expansive populations
As with LGBTQ+ populations as a whole, transgender people continue to experience extreme health and healthcare disparities, even as access and medical services have improved. Transgender people are more likely than any other social group to experience psychological distress leading to suicidal ideation, with 40% having attempted suicide at least once in their lifetime (James, et al., 2016). This is an astoundingly high figure that grows even higher when compounded along intersectional lines; for instance, 54% of transgender people with disabilities report attempting suicide at least once, and 42% report being mistreated by health care providers (James, et al., 2016). Unsurprisingly, transgender people report chronic anxiety and stress, mostly resulting from cultural discrimination and transphobia, but also from experiencing high rates of economic instability and poverty (James, et al., 2016). Transgender people also deal with HIV/AIDS at a higher rate than other LGBTQ+ people; 19% of black transgender women live with HIV, higher than any other social group in the United States (James, et al., 2016).
In many ways, disparities among transgender populations can be combated by dealing with the sociocultural pressures that cause emotional and mental trauma across the lifespan. Additionally, providers should become knowledgeable as to transgender-specific healthcare needs such as: hormone replacement therapy, puberty-blocking hormones, surgeries, and counselling services. Providers should also strive for increased cultural competence, for instance, by finding ways to create electronic healthcare records that allow people to select multiple gender options.
Resources for transgender / gender-expansive populations
From the American Academy of Pediatricians, a clear, accurate description of the health needs and disparities experienced by gender expansive children and youth.
The most expansive survey of transgender life in America, this is an essential source that covers a very broad range of topics, including health and healthcare.
A fairly new organization established in 2016, AZ TYPO provides support to families with transgender and gender-expansive children. They focus primarily on education, outreach, and community development.
Bathroom Support's "DO YOUR BUSINESS / MIND YOUR BUSINESS is a free guerrilla art campaign designed to increase bathroom safety for transgender and gender nonconforming people. Share your favorites on social media, or print them out and post them in bathrooms in schools, healthcare settings, businesses, and institutions everywhere."
The Center of Excellence for Transgender Health is an essential source for providers, with information as to cultural competencies, HIV prevention, routine care, mental health, and outreach to transgender communities.
From the abstract: This study finds that the passage of such laws is not related to the number or frequency of criminal incidents in [bathroom] spaces. Additionally, the study finds that reports of privacy and safety violations in public restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms are exceedingly rare. This study provides evidence that fears of increased safety and privacy violations as a result of nondiscrimination laws are not empirically grounded."
"Transgender Health is the first peer-reviewed, open access journal dedicated to addressing the healthcare needs of transgender individuals throughout the lifespan and identifying gaps in knowledge as well as priority areas where policy development and research are needed to achieve healthcare equity."
From the abstract: " Discrimination in health care settings creates a unique health risk for gender minority people. The passage and enforcement of transgender rights laws that include protections against discrimination in public accommodations-inclusive of health care-are a public health policy approach critically needed to address transgender health inequities."
From the abstract: "In this issue, Reisner and colleagues7 affirm an extraordinarily high prevalence of mental health diagnoses, including lifetime episode of major depressive disorder (35.4%), generalized anxiety disorder (7.9%), suicidality (20.2%), posttraumatic stress disorder (9.8%), and substance dependence. These findings are certainly not new; increased prevalence of mental health morbidities has been reported consistently among transgender youth seeking care at gender-specific clinical sites. Disproportionately high levels of depression, anxiety, substance use, social isolation, self-harm, and suicidality are consistent findings in these reports."
"Refuge Restrooms is a web application that seeks to provide safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals. Users can search for restrooms by proximity to a search location, add new restroom listings, as well as comment and rate existing listings."
This report, published by the National LGBT Health Education Center and the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership, explores the legal barriers that prevent transgender and gender-expansive populations from receiving proper access to health and healthcare services.
Fenway Health's web portal for transgender health provides an especially in-depth look at hormone replacement therapy for adults and minors, and includes information in both English and Spanish.
From the abstract: "We mitigated common barriers to developing and integrating new, diversity-related topics into a baccalaureate nursing curriculum. Added transgender health content was well received by students and faculty."
TSAZ provides support for transgender people and communities across Arizona.They are a community outreach organization primarily focused on generating social equity for transgender people.
WPATH is most famous for its Standards of Care, which have improved immensely in recent years to provide information as to gender confirmation surgery for both adults and young persons, counselling and insurance services that do not resort to gatekeeping, and cultural competencies for providers.
Disparities in intersex populations
As a biopsychosocial term, Intersex* describes populations with sex characteristics that vary in comparison to binary conceptualizations of female and male bodies (InterACTadvocates.org). Statistically, there are more intersex persons in the global population than transgender people, with roughly 1.7% of persons having intersex characteristics and .33% identifying as transgender (Intersexequality.com, 2013). However, similar to transgender populations, the data is skewed such that we cannot reliably know how many people exhibit intersex characteristics. This is particularly true because intersex anatomies have historically been erased by medical professionals who operated under the assumption that healthy infants should be either female or male in all regards, even if invasive cosmetic surgeries were necessary (UNFE.org). It is still common practice for intersex children to be made subject to invasive, life-altering surgeries for which they can provide no consent, and often resulting in "permanent infertility, pain, incontinence, loss of sexual sensation, and lifelong mental suffering, including depression" (UNFE.org).
The continuation of unnecessary (and dangerous) interventions adds to the number of health and healthcare disparities experienced by intersex persons. Additionally, lack of representation has resulted in poor data collection and a lack of information about psychosocial supports and social determinants. There are studies which suggest that surgery in infancy actually produces negative outcomes (Zhu, et al., 2012, Bennecke, et al., 2017). However, recent studies show that intersex people who receive preventative care relevant to physical or mental health rather than bodily anatomy report a higher QOL (Rapp, et al., 2018).
As such, medical practitioners should focus on combating the disparities and social determinants which result in low QOL. Primarily, these arise from binary conceptualizations about sex identity. However, they also include misconceptions about proper care during immediate neonatal care and care during early life. Researchers and practitioners should work to identify the many ways that sex and anatomy are expressed (not only in reference to internal and external genitalia, but also through brain chemistry, prenatal hormonal balances, postnatal hormone balances, genetics, and chromosomes).
*The MeSH heading for Intersex is Disorders of Sexual Development. Even though this term is widely accepted in biomedical research, it presents intersex characteristics as abormalities which need to be "fixed". In following with the guidelines set by intersex advocacy groups in the United States, this page uses Intersex when possible rather than DSD.
"Accord Alliance’s mission is to promote comprehensive and integrated approaches to care that enhance the health and well-being of people and families affected by DSD by fostering collaboration among all stakeholders."
"The purpose of these guidelines is to assist health care professionals in the provision of diagnosis, treatment, education, and support to children born with disorders of sex development (DSDs) and to their families."
This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the health disparities and barriers to health faced by intersex people globally.
Disparities in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer populations
We described various health and healthcare disparities for LGBTQ+ people as a whole in the first tab. However, many facets of LGBTQ+ health are intersectional, especially regarding sexuality and gender identity. However, just because sexual orientation and gender identity overlap, they do function as asingle phenomenon; rather, the two operate interdependently, and for that reason, LGBTQ+ people are likely to experience a wide range of health disparities that are different for cisgender gay men and transgender gay men (this is only of many possible examples).
Providers should be cognizant to the intersections of LGBTQ+ identity. In order to this, it's important to establish healthcare spaces and services which are recognize the many facets of gender/sexual orientation. Electronic health records should be redesigned to include multiple genders as well as sexual orientations (Grass & Makadon, 2016). Providers, policy makers, and community organizers should also increase awareness towards LGBTQ+ people who do not identify as gay or lesbian. For instance, 39% of bisexual men and 33% of bisexual women report not disclosing their sexual orientation to a provider, as opposed to 13% of gay-identifying men and 10% of gay-identifying women (HRC.org, 2016). For the most part, this discrepancy is due to negative experiences involving lack of understanding as to bisexual identity and deligitimizing stereotypes that erase bisexual people's experience (HRC.org, 2016). The result is a significant portion of LGBTQ+ people who experience chronic stress and anxiety, depression, higher rates of alcohol and tobacco abuse, and unsafe sexual practices. This is especially concerning considering the likelihood that LGBTQ+ people as a whole will experience these and other disparities.These inflated figures are just as likely to occur for people who identify as sexually queer (pansexual, asexual, demisexual, etc.).
Resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer populations
From the abstract: "This study provides important quantitative support for theories related to biphobia and double discrimination. Our findings provide strong evidence for understanding how stereotypes and stigma may lead to dramatic disparities in depression, anxiety, stress, and other health outcomes among bisexual individuals in comparison to their heterosexual and homosexual counterparts."
GMHC is a global network focused on preventing and testing for HIV/AIDS while practicing educational awareness and community health initiatives that increase literacy towards HIV contraction and risks.
A 2016 report that breaks down various disparities experienced by bisexual people. The report is helpful for explaining the intersections of bisexuality, since transgender people and people of color are more likely to identify as bisexual than other social groups.
This fact sheet, which corresponds with the Healthy People 2020 Project, outlines disparities in access, cancer, quality of life, heart disease, HIV, WIC, substance use, and mental health.
The Mautner Project is an extension of Whitman-Walker Health, and provides support for women who partner with women through education, national and online support, and community health initiatives.
A complete list of all policies involving LGBTQ care, including general policies, information for physicians, and patient-centered policies.
Chapter: Treatment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Patients; The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry by Robert E. Hales (Editor); Stuart C. Yudofsky (Editor); Laura Weiss Roberts (Editor); David J. Kupfer (Foreword by)With its sixth edition, The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry, the definitive reference for students, residents, and clinicians, introduces a new generation of textbooks for the field. The only comprehensive psychiatry textbook to integrate all the new DSM-5® criteria, this acclaimed gold standard has been revised, updated, and restructured to serve as a practical, authoritative guide for a new era in psychiatric education and practice. Key features include the following: * The only comprehensive psychiatry textbook to be based on all the new DSM-5® criteria* Serves as a companion book to DSM-5®: DSM-5® readers seeking to learn more about treatment can turn to the Textbook * Part II, which discusses psychiatric disorders, parallels exactly the organizational format of DSM-5®* 17 DSM-5® Task Force and Work Group members are chapter authors* More than 70 new authors, including the leading authorities in their specialties with outstanding expertise in research, education, and treatment* Concise yet comprehensive coverage of the topics most relevant to clinical practice* Six new chapters, including "DSM-5® as a Framework for Psychiatric Diagnosis," "Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders," "Neurodevelopmental Disorders," and "Mentalization Therapy"* The latest evidence-based findings and standards of care for assessment and development, psychiatric disorders, treatments, and special populations* "Key Clinical Points" at the end of each chapter* Designed so readers can easily find and acquire information* Streamlined, user-friendly format rich in easy-to-view features* Recommended Web sites and readings for clinicians and patients in every chapter* Ideal for psychiatry board preparation The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry, Sixth Edition, continues the tradition of leading the field as the most authoritative, inclusive, relevant, and practical reference available.
Publication Date: 2014
Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data in Electronic Health Records by Health of Select Populations Staff; Institute of Medicine Staff; Jon Q. Sanders (Editor); Monica N. Feit (Editor); Joe Alper (Editor)Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data in Electronic Health Records: Workshop Summary reviews the statement of task set to the committee which required them to collect sexual orientation and gender identity data in electronic health records. This report summarizes the invited presentations and facilitated discussions about current practices around sexual orientation and gender identity data collection, the challenges in collecting these data, and ways in which these challenges can be overcome. Areas of focus for the workshop include the clinical rationale behind collecting these data, standardized questions that can be used to collect these data, mechanisms for supporting providers and patients in the collection of these data, technical specifications involved in creating standards for sexual orientation and gender identity data collection and exchange, and policy considerations related to the health information technology (HIT) Meaningful Use process being overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. This report summarizes the workshop agenda, select invited speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. Invited participants will include lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health care consumer advocates, providers with experience working with LGBT populations, HIT vendors and other HIT specialists, health care administrators, and policy makers.
Publication Date: 2013
The Fenway Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health by Harvey J. Makadon; Kenneth H. Mayer; Jennifer Potter; Hilary Goldhammer; American College of Physicians (2003- ) Staff (Contribution by)This new 2nd edition of The Fenway Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health reflects clinical and social changes since the publication of the first edition. Written by leading experts in the field of LGBT health in conjunction with The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health, one of the most trusted and respected community-based research, education, and care centers, this edition continues to present the important issues facing patients and practitioners, including: Principles for taking an LGBT-inclusive health history Caring for LGBTQ youth, families, and older adults Behavioral Health Care: coming out, intimate partner violence, drug, alcohol, and tobacco use Understanding health care needs of transgender people Development of gender identity in children and adolescents Sexual health and HIV prevention Policy and legal issues The Fenway Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health, Second Edition is a must-have resource for clinicians, students, and researchers working in hospitals, clinics, universities, libraries, and private practices in every community.
The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People by Medicine Institute Staff (Contribution by); Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities Staff (Contribution by); Institute of Medicine Staff; Board on the Health of Select Populations StaffAt a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals--often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT--are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status. While LGBT populations often are combined as a single entity for research and advocacy purposes, each is a distinct population group with its own specific health needs. Furthermore, the experiences of LGBT individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People assesses the state of science on the health status of LGBT populations, identifies research gaps and opportunities, and outlines a research agenda for the National Institute of Health. The report examines the health status of these populations in three life stages: childhood and adolescence, early/middle adulthood, and later adulthood. At each life stage, the committee studied mental health, physical health, risks and protective factors, health services, and contextual influences. To advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, the report finds that researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People is a valuable resource for policymakers, federal agencies including the National Institute of Health (NIH), LGBT advocacy groups, clinicians, and service providers.
Intersexuality and the Law by Julie A. GreenbergWinner of the 2013 Bullough Award presented by the Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality The term "intersex" evokes diverse images, typically of people who are both male and female or neither male nor female. Neither vision is accurate. The millions of people with an intersex condition, or DSD (disorder of sex development), are men or women whose sex chromosomes, gonads, or sex anatomy do not fit clearly into the male/female binary norm. Until recently, intersex conditions were shrouded in shame and secrecy: many adults were unaware that they had been born with an intersex condition and those who did know were advised to hide the truth. Current medical protocols and societal treatment of people with an intersex condition are based upon false stereotypes about sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, which create unique challenges to framing effective legal claims and building a strong cohesive movement. InIntersexuality and the Law, Julie A. Greenberg examines the role that legal institutions can play in protecting the rights of people with an intersex condition. She also explores the relationship between the intersex movement and other social justice movements that have effectively utilized legal strategies to challenge similar discriminatory practices. She discusses the feasibility of forming effective alliances and developing mutually beneficial legal arguments with feminists, LGBT organizations, and disability rights advocates to eradicate the discrimination suffered by these marginalized groups.
Publication Date: 2011
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging by Douglas C. Kimmel (Editor); Tara Rose (Editor); Steven David (Editor)Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging brings together cutting-edge research, practical information, and innovative thinking regarding the characteristics and processes of aging among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Written by experts in the field, the book covers a range of subjects and provides a comprehensive knowledge base for practitioners, students, and researchers. Contributors address topics such as sexuality, relationships, legal issues, retirement planning, physical and mental health, substance abuse, community needs, gay and lesbian grandparents, and a model agency dedicated to delivering services to the senior LGBT population. Their writing takes a gay-affirmative approach that focuses on resilience, coping, and successful adaptation to aging and is sensitive to the importance of historical oppression in the lives of older members of sexual minorities. The authors also pay close attention to ethnic and cultural issues and identify where further research is needed. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging is a groundbreaking collection of some of the most significant voices in this area of research today. Gerontologists and those who serve the LGBT community are in great need of the information contained in this singular and definitive resource.
Publication Date: 2006
Making Sense of Intersex by Ellen K. FederPutting the ethical tools of philosophy to work, Ellen K. Feder seeks to clarify how we should understand "the problem" of intersex. Adults often report that medical interventions they underwent as children to "correct" atypical sex anatomies caused them physical and psychological harm. Proposing a philosophical framework for the treatment of children with intersex conditions--one that acknowledges the intertwined identities of parents, children, and their doctors--Feder presents a persuasive moral argument for collective responsibility to these children and their families.
Publication Date: 2014
Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression in Social Work Practice by Deana F. Morrow (Editor); Lori Messinger (Editor)This volume offers an invaluable resource for both social work educators and practitioners working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) clients and their families. It is the first such work to specifically address issues affecting bisexual and transgender people as well as the larger concerns of the GLBT community. Contributors present specific, practical suggestions for effective knowledge-based and skills-based practice with GLBT clients. Topics include heterosexism and homophobia, identity development, coming out, GLBT adolescents and older adults, health-care concerns, relationships and families, workplace issues, the history of the GLBT civil rights movement, sex reassignment, AIDS, and the role of spirituality in the lives of GLBT individuals. The contributors also consider intragroup issues of race, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status.
Trans/Portraits by Jackson Wright ShultzAlthough transgender people are increasingly represented in academic studies and popular culture, they rarely have the opportunity to add their own voices to the conversation. In this remarkable book, Jackson Shultz records the stories of more than thirty Americans who identify as transgender. They range in age from fifteen to seventy-two; come from twenty-five different states and a wide array of racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds; and identify across a vast spectrum of genders and sexualities. Giving voice to a diverse group of individuals, the book raises questions about gender, acceptance, and unconditional love. From historical descriptions of activism to personal stories of discrimination, love, and community, these touching accounts of gender transition shed light on the uncharted territories that lie beyond the gender binary. Despite encounters with familial rejection, drug addiction, and medical malpractice, each account is imbued with optimism and humor, providing a thoughtful look at the daily joys and struggles of transgender life. With an introduction and explanations from the author, this work will appeal to transgender individuals, their significant others, friends, family, and allies; health-care providers, educators, and legal professionals; and anyone questioning their own gender, considering transition, or setting out on their own transition journey.
Publication Date: 2015
Understanding Asexuality by Anthony F. BogaertAsexuality can be defined as an enduring lack of sexual attraction. Thus, asexual individuals do not find (and perhaps never have) others sexually appealing. Some consider "asexuality" as a fourth category of sexual orientation, distinct from heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. However, there is also recent evidence that the label "asexual" may be used in a broader way than merely as "a lack of sexual attraction." People who say they have sexual attraction to others, but indicate little or no desire for sexual activity are also self-identifying as asexual. Distinct from celibacy, which refers to sexual abstinence by choice where sexual attraction and desire may still be present, asexuality is experienced by those having a lack or sexual attraction or a lack of sexual desire. More and more, those who identify as asexual are "coming out," joining up, and forging a common identity. The time is right for a better understanding of this sexual orientation, written by an expert in the field who has conducted studies on asexuality and who has provided important contributions to understanding asexuality. This timely resource will be one of the first books written on the topic for general readers, and the first to look at the historical, biological, and social aspects of asexuality. It includes firsthand accounts throughout from people who identify as asexual. The study of asexuality, as it contrasts so clearly with sexuality, also holds up a lens and reveals clues to the mystery of sexuality.
Publication Date: 2012
Women and Bisexuality by Serena Anderlini-D'OnofrioGet a global perspective on bisexuality from a women's viewpoint Women and Bisexuality: A Global Perspective reflects the growing contribution bisexuals, and especially bisexual women, make to queer culture on an international level. This unique book presents a collection of thoughtful essays, studies, and reviews that combine to help develop a language that reflects the reality of bisexuality from a feminine/feminist viewpoint. Authors map the inroads made by bisexual studies into conventional disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, health, literature, film, history, and biography, and analyze the situations of bisexual women in areas as diverse as France, North America, Germany, Australia, and Africa. The rich and varied contributions to Women and Bisexuality: A Global Perspective track the spread of bisexuality from the urban and metropolitan centers of gay culture to more peripheral areas as the movement becomes more and more hospitable to transnational and transcultural people. The book's main themes--bisexuality's ability to disrupt categories and the resulting feeling of alienation many bisexuals experience--are manifested in approaches that include critical theory, deconstruction, textual analysis, cognitive psychology, personal essay, review essay, reportage, and qualitative study. Topics addressed include: the impact of feminism and women's communities on the appearance of bisexual women multi-sexual relationships as border existence in Australia a South African perspective on bisexuality understanding bisexuality's invisibility Lillian Hellmann's bisexual fantasies and much more Women and Bisexuality: A Global Perspective follows bisexuality to the crossroads of academics and activism, presenting a wide scope of refreshing and insightful thought that reflects more than an identity or practice. The diverse mix of ideas is an essential read for anyone interested in literature on sexuality.