Sexually Transmitted Diseases
STI/STDs are a significant problem within the LGBTQ community. Transgender individuals and men who have sex with other men have a higher risk of contracting STI/STDs, especially in communities of color, although no group of people is immune. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from person to person through sexual contact. Often, these infections don’t cause any symptoms, making the carrier unaware of their predicament. These infections can, however, turn into sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which do have symptoms. STI/STDs are actually fairly common. According to the American Sexual Health Association, “More than half of all people will have an STD/STI at some point in their lifetime.”
Some common STI/STDs are chlamydia, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and herpes. If you want to learn more, please go to any of these links:
Since STI/STDs often go undetected for long stretches of time, it is important to get tested to know for sure if you have one or not. If you are or have ever been sexually active, getting checked by a doctor is the best way to ensure the health of yourself and any future partner. Fortunately, most types of STDs are treatable or even curable if you have access to proper healthcare.
Here is a very informative and helpful video about what to do if you think you could have an STI/STD:
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is probably the most notorious STI/STD. HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, breaks down the body’s immune system so that it can’t protect itself from disease. Most people with HIV don’t notice symptoms for 10 years or more. Eventually, HIV causes AIDS, which stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is important to note that HIV is not only spread through sexual means, though that is the most common way. HIV can be spread by semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, or blood.Although HIV can infect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexuality, it is most common among gay and bisexual men, transgender women, people ages 13 to 24, and people of color, especially in southern states. In fact, gay and bisexual men make up 63% of new HIV infections every year. Transgender women are almost 34 times more likely to be HIV-positive compared to other women. Fortunately, having HIV/AIDS is not as hopeless as it once was.
Although is currently no cure for
HIV/AIDS, there is a treatment. People with HIV/AIDS can take
drug “cocktails” designed to prevent the HIV from becoming AIDS, or to
alleviate some of the AIDS symptoms. These cocktails are very expensive and not
accessible everywhere. Many people also experience severe and uncomfortable
side effects from the drugs. Sometimes they even stop working after a certain
amount of time. Still, the life expectancy for people with HIV/AIDS has gone up
significantly in just a few decades.
Still, the problem is not over. Every year, around 40,000 people in the United States get HIV. The
risk of getting HIV is even higher for transgender people and men who are
sexually involved with other men. However, with the right education, proper
health care, and accessible forms of protection, people can increase their chances of protecting themselves from contracting HIV. Hopefully, doctors will someday find an actual cure.
Here are some links if you want to know more about HIV/AIDS:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - HIV/AIDS
AIDS.gov - What is HIV/AIDS
Planned Parenthood - HIV/AIDS
Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention - HIV/AIDS
Avert - What are HIV/AIDS
Here are some links if you want to know more about HIV/AIDS:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - HIV/AIDS
AIDS.gov - What is HIV/AIDS
Planned Parenthood - HIV/AIDS
Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention - HIV/AIDS
Avert - What are HIV/AIDS
Cancer and Heart Disease
According to the National LGBT Cancer Network, people in the LGBTQ community have a higher risk of getting cancer. LGBTQ people are also more likely to have heart disease, which is even more common for transgender individuals who take hormones.
The higher risk factor for LGBTQ individuals is not because of anything biological or physical, but rather due to a number of socio-economic factors, many of which stem from the stress of living as a member of an oppressed minority. LGBTQ members often face harassment, rejection, and prejudice in every aspect of their life. Discrimination can also be a major factor. Many LGBTQ people don't get preventative health care or proper testing to catch the illness and treat it when it first appears. There are several reasons that it is harder for LGBTQ people to receive adequate healthcare. Some people in the community don't have enough money to afford healthcare, and those who do still face discrimination and ignorance from medical professionals. Many transgender individuals avoid or postpone necessary health appointments for fear of discrimination or disrespect, especially transgender people of color. Doctors often don't know how to handle the health concerns of someone in the LGBTQ community. Even when doctors are trying their best, they can still be offensive or simply incompetent. Most medical professionals have little or no training in LGBTQ health issues.
The higher risk factor for LGBTQ individuals is not because of anything biological or physical, but rather due to a number of socio-economic factors, many of which stem from the stress of living as a member of an oppressed minority. LGBTQ members often face harassment, rejection, and prejudice in every aspect of their life. Discrimination can also be a major factor. Many LGBTQ people don't get preventative health care or proper testing to catch the illness and treat it when it first appears. There are several reasons that it is harder for LGBTQ people to receive adequate healthcare. Some people in the community don't have enough money to afford healthcare, and those who do still face discrimination and ignorance from medical professionals. Many transgender individuals avoid or postpone necessary health appointments for fear of discrimination or disrespect, especially transgender people of color. Doctors often don't know how to handle the health concerns of someone in the LGBTQ community. Even when doctors are trying their best, they can still be offensive or simply incompetent. Most medical professionals have little or no training in LGBTQ health issues.
Here are some resources for health services for the LGBTQ community:
Substance Abuse
Studies show LGBTQ individuals use substances more than other people. There is no one reason for the higher rate of substance abuse in the LGBTQ community. There are many influences, including stress levels, culture differences, age, and home life. Substances are often used to alleviate some of the pressure brought on from living as part of a minority group. Discrimination is also a key element. In many states, it is legal to discriminate in the workplace or housing based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Income and housing are an essential part of living independently and the strain from being denied work and a home may prompt someone to abuse substances. It is also important to note the historical and cultural impact. For a long time, the only safe spaces for the LGBTQ community to congregate were bars and clubs. They became, and still are in many ways, the cultural hubs for LGBTQ people. However, clubs and bars are also places to drink and smoke, indirectly making drinking and drug use a cultural norm. Additionally, drug and tobacco companies often targeted their advertising to gay and transgender people specifically. They bought ad space in gay and transgender magazines, sponsored popular gay and transgender events, and focused on advertising with themes that were central to the community such as liberation and acceptance.
There are treatment services for people who want to stop using. Unfortunately, most of them insist on male/female segregation, with no room for people who do not fit into their strict binary system.
There are treatment services for people who want to stop using. Unfortunately, most of them insist on male/female segregation, with no room for people who do not fit into their strict binary system.
If you need a safe, LGBTQ-friendly place to recover, here is a website to help you find one near you:
Mental Health
Historically, LGBTQ individuals were often falsely labeled mentally ill simply because of who they were or who they loved. Thankfully, the majority of the medical community now agrees that homosexuality and transgenderism are not and never have been illnesses. However, this does not mean that LGBTQ people do not suffer from other mental illnesses. Indeed, many deal with illnesses such as major depression, anxiety disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). LGBTQ people are three times as likely to experience mental illness as people outside the community. This is due to the fact that many people in the LGBTQ community face discrimination, stigma, bullying, parental abuse, sexual abuse, harassment, and violence. Suicide is a leading cause of death for LGBTQ people between the ages of 10 and 24.
Here are some links with more information about mental health:
National Alliance on Mental Illness - LGBTQ
Mental Health America - LGBT Mental Health
Program for LGBTI - Mental Health
One mental illness specific to the transgender community is gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria can be described as the distress one feels when their body or perceived gender does not match their true identity. This can be triggered by looking at their own body, or by others accidentally or intentionally misgendering them. This is not to say that all transgender individuals have gender dysphoria, or that transgenderism causes gender dysphoria. Transgender people generally feel don't feel dysphoria until someone misgenders them.
The way that gender dysphoria manifests is different from person to person. Some show signs beginning at childhood, such as an aversion to clothes that are traditionally associated with their assigned gender. Children with gender dysphoria symptoms aren't necessarily transgender. They could be more flexible in their gender expression, or just going through a phase. Even so, no matter if the child will grow out of it or grow up to transition, their feelings and preferred gender expressions are always valid. Teenagers and adults experiencing gender dysphoria have a much more developed sense of identity and are likely not going through a phase. The treatment for gender dysphoria will vary based on each person's individual feelings and situation. However, many people transition, which may include hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery and receive counseling.
Here are some links related to gender dysphoria and how to get help if you need it:
American Psychiatric Association - What is Gender Dysphoria
Psych Central - Gender Dysphoria Symptoms
Lamda Legal - Know Your Rights - Trans FAQ
While mental health professionals as a whole have vastly improved their standing with the LGBTQ community, many LGBTQ individuals still face obstacles when trying to find decent services. Like in the medical community, there are several therapists and counselors who don't have the proper education or understanding to effectively counsel a member of the LGBTQ community.
If you need help finding quality, LGBTQ-friendly therapists, click on the first link. The second link is to a LGBTQ-friendly suicide prevention hotline, available over phone, online, and text.
Gaylesta
Trevor Project
Here are some links with more information about mental health:
National Alliance on Mental Illness - LGBTQ
Mental Health America - LGBT Mental Health
Program for LGBTI - Mental Health
One mental illness specific to the transgender community is gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria can be described as the distress one feels when their body or perceived gender does not match their true identity. This can be triggered by looking at their own body, or by others accidentally or intentionally misgendering them. This is not to say that all transgender individuals have gender dysphoria, or that transgenderism causes gender dysphoria. Transgender people generally feel don't feel dysphoria until someone misgenders them.
The way that gender dysphoria manifests is different from person to person. Some show signs beginning at childhood, such as an aversion to clothes that are traditionally associated with their assigned gender. Children with gender dysphoria symptoms aren't necessarily transgender. They could be more flexible in their gender expression, or just going through a phase. Even so, no matter if the child will grow out of it or grow up to transition, their feelings and preferred gender expressions are always valid. Teenagers and adults experiencing gender dysphoria have a much more developed sense of identity and are likely not going through a phase. The treatment for gender dysphoria will vary based on each person's individual feelings and situation. However, many people transition, which may include hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery and receive counseling.
Here are some links related to gender dysphoria and how to get help if you need it:
American Psychiatric Association - What is Gender Dysphoria
Psych Central - Gender Dysphoria Symptoms
Lamda Legal - Know Your Rights - Trans FAQ
While mental health professionals as a whole have vastly improved their standing with the LGBTQ community, many LGBTQ individuals still face obstacles when trying to find decent services. Like in the medical community, there are several therapists and counselors who don't have the proper education or understanding to effectively counsel a member of the LGBTQ community.
If you need help finding quality, LGBTQ-friendly therapists, click on the first link. The second link is to a LGBTQ-friendly suicide prevention hotline, available over phone, online, and text.
Gaylesta
Trevor Project
Transgender Health
Transgender individuals often use hormones to make themselves feel more comfortable in their bodies. Unfortunately, hormone usage is not without risks. Too much testosterone can damage the liver, particularly if taken orally or in large quantities. Estrogen can lead to higher blood pressure, excessive blood glucose, and blood clotting. Anti-androgens can decrease blood pressure, disturb electrolytes, and dry out the body. Because of this, it is crucial to see a doctor before taking any hormones so they can prescribe the correct dosage and monitor the process.
Some transgender people opt to inject silicone into their bodies to change their shape. When not performed by a medical doctor, this procedure can have serious repercussions. Injecting silicone can be very dangerous and should not be done except by a medical doctor.
Here are some helpful resources with more information. The first one is a website to help you find quality, trans-friendly healthcare near where you live.
MyTransHealth
Program for LGBTI Health - Key Transgender Health Concerns
Revel and Riot - Transitioning and Transgender Health
National Center For Transgender Equality - Health & HIV
Here are some helpful resources with more information. The first one is a website to help you find quality, trans-friendly healthcare near where you live.
MyTransHealth
Program for LGBTI Health - Key Transgender Health Concerns
Revel and Riot - Transitioning and Transgender Health
National Center For Transgender Equality - Health & HIV
Abortion
Although abortion is a topic of much debate, especially in the current political climate, it is rarely mentioned with gender-inclusive language. Too often, abortion is simply referred to as a 'women's issue' or in regards to 'women's rights.' This type of language excludes transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming individuals from the conversation and glosses over their very important and valid concerns. Many transgender people can and do get unwanted pregnancies just as non-transgender women do. No matter your personal beliefs on abortion, transgender people should be let in on the conversation as it concerns them too.
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