Social Justice and Social Determinants of Health: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersexed, and Queer Youth in Canada

Abstract

The literature reveals that exclusion, isolation, and fear remain realities for Canadian LGBTIQ adolescents. The Canadian experience suggests that negative social attitudes toward LGBTIQ persist despite progressive legislation. The value of social justice positions nurses to constructively intervene in promoting the health and well-being of LGBTIQ youth in the face of social homophobia.

Social justice: a concept analysis

“…2005, Davison et al. 2006, McGee 2007, Browne & Tarlier 2008, Foley 2009, Weisz 2009, Dysart‐Gale 2010).…”

Making Assumptions, Making Space: An Anthropological Critique of Cultural Competency and Its Relevance to Queer Patients

“…In general, HCPs do not invite discussions of gender identity with patients (Kitts ). This helps construct health care settings as heteronormative environments, in which heterosexuality is presumed and privileged as the preferred, normal sexual orientation (Dysart‐Gale :24). Gender normative assumptions (the existence of two binary genders) similarly erase the existence of transgender and gender‐variant people (Bauer et al ).…”

Behavioral and Health Outcomes for HIV+ Young Transgender Women Linked To and Engaged in Medical Care

“…1–3 It is clear that social determinants play an important role in health outcomes for gender minority youth particularly including factors such as exclusion, isolation and fear. 4,5 The increased prevalence of HIV infection among adult transgender women, is reported to be approximately 28% according to one meta-analysis, 2 and has been attributed to several factors, including higher rates of sex work, risky sexual behaviors, substance abuse, and barriers to culturally appropriate gender-affirming healthcare including limited evidence for biomedical treatments, few trained providers, and high costs of essential medical, surgical and mental health treatments. 1,3,6–12 While several studies indicate that YTW are a marginalized population at increased risk for HIV infection, little is known about psychosocial and health outcomes for HIV+ transgender individuals engaged in care.…”