Differences in Healthcare Access, Use, and Experiences Within a Community Sample of Racially Diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Emerging Adults

Abstract

Although LGBTQ emerging adults experienced fewer barriers to care than observed in previous studies on LGBTQ adults, the results suggest that queer, questioning, and transgender individuals may face additional healthcare challenges compared with their LGB and cisgender counterparts.

Facilitators and Barriers to Participation in PrEP HIV Prevention Trials Involving Transgender Male and Female Adolescents and Emerging Adults

“…Second, despite efforts to recruit from Facebook sites featuring racial/ethnic minority transgender media figures, our sample was predominantly non-Hispanic white. Racial and ethnic minority TGY deserve additional attention to illuminate their distinct health care needs within the context of not only social stigma and health disparities associated with the intersectionality of gender and sexual minority status, but those historically associated with institutional and structural racism (Macapagal, Bhatia, & Greene, 2016; Reisner, Mimiaga, Bland, Driscoll, Cranston & Mayer, 2012; Smalley et al, 2016). Third, the majority of participants were out to some people and at least one guardian about their gender and sexual orientation identities with most parents at least somewhat accepting.…”

“…Despite the fact that a majority of 14 – 17 year olds reported disclosure and at least some family acceptance, approximately half reported they would be unlikely to participate if guardian permission was required. Fear of being stigmatized, punished, or in some cases, victimized by their families if guardian permission results in disclosure of their sexual orientation or gender identity has been identified as a barrier to participation among lesbian, gay and bisexual youth (D'Amico & Julien, 2012; DiClemente, Sales, & Borek, 2010; Fisher et al, 2016; Gilbert et al, 2015; Macapagal, Coventry, Arbeit, Fisher, & Mustanksi, 2016; Mustanski, 2011; Mustanski et al, in press). …”

A Qualitative Study Examining Young Adults’ Experiences of Disclosure and Nondisclosure of LGBTQ Identity to Health Care Providers

“…As part of a larger measure of healthcare access and experiences (Macapagal, Bhatia, & Greene, 2016), participants were asked whether or not they had disclosed their LGBTQ identity to their healthcare providers. If participants did not disclose, they were asked the following open-ended question: “Please describe why you have not told a doctor or other medical professional about your sexual orientation or gender expression.” If participants had disclosed, they were asked the following open-ended question, “Please describe the reactions of the doctor(s) or other medical professional(s) you have told about your sexual orientation or gender expression.” These questions allowed participants to reflect and provide their perspectives on their experiences on disclosing and not disclosing their identities when seeking healthcare.…”

Patient–Provider Communication Barriers and Facilitators to HIV and STI Preventive Services for Adolescent MSM

“…In addition, young sexual minority males are less likely than older MSM to have received an HIV test and the least likely out of any age group to be linked to HIV care 67891011121314 . Despite research indicating that nearly half of gay and bisexual male high school students have had sexual intercourse 1 little is known about attitudinal and experiential factors facilitating or impeding youth seeking and receiving health services for prevention, detection and treatment of HIV and STIs.…”

“…The few studies that have begun to address adolescent sexual health services among sexual minorities have not focused on AMSM exclusively, but rather, pooled lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescent and young adult populations. This research suggests that while sexual minority relevant health information (including “safe sex” practices) has been found to be an important health concern among adolescent sexual minorities 20 , a majority may postpone or avoid HIV testing and seeking other sexual health care services due to concerns their health care provider will not respect their confidentiality needs (including fear of being “outed” to guardians/parents) and negative judgment by health care providers about adolescent sexual identity, same sex sexual activity or sexual activity among teens 2122917192324 .…”