Showing 110 resources.
For those who identify as LGBTQ and as Latinx Americans, the coming out process can be even more complex to navigate. Often, it requires a unique approach that can cut across multiple languages, cultures, nationalities, religious identities, and family generations. … read more
The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) marks a substantial movement toward child welfare reform by beginning to bring child welfare financing into alignment with what research tells us is best for children and families: keeping children in their homes … read more
Hair can be a powerful tool for gender expression that affirms our gender identity. Gender Spectrum presents a video series, “Navigating Barbershops and Salons,” providing basic tools to help people navigate barbershops.
The Center for Combating Human Trafficking and Youth Collaboratory offers five tips for authentically engaging vulnerable young people. They underscore research that assures us social connections and relationships are a strong protective factor from abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking (among … read more
LGBTQ identities are now embraced at many colleges across the U.S. Advocates say that one important starting point for prospective students is to examine a college’s nondiscrimination policies and whether it includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The article also … read more
According to data from the 2015-2017 Healthy Minds Study, involving 71 U.S. college campuses, students with nontraditional gender identities reported two to four times as many symptoms of mental health conditions as cisgender students. Co-author Sara Abelson, MPH, of the … read more
The California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network focuses on promoting policies and systems changes to achieve health equity for LGBTQ Californians.This resource provides a list of LGBTQ-led and/or organizations that have special programs serving LGBTQ community members at the … read more
The Movement Advancement Project released a summary of research on LGBTQ+ people living with disabilities. This resource describes the unique challenges faced by the estimated 3 million to 5 million LGBTQ+ Americans living with disabilities. It outlines recommendations for advancing … read more
This report is a collection of papers focused on understanding what we know and what we need to better understand about the lives and outcomes of system-involved youth who are both LGBTQ and racial/ethnic minorities.
Access to behavioral health services is critical for LGBTQ individuals in the United States. The publication provides guidance for health care advocates and providers to stand up for LGBTQ people in need of access to quality behavior health care.
The Supreme Court has accepted three cases that ask whether federal anti-discrimination laws should apply to sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace, putting the court on track to consider high-profile LGBTQ issues after its next term begins this … read more
We have been taught in school that pronouns are binary (she or he) and singular vs. plural (she or they). Yet today, pronouns used in social and work settings may not subscribe to these rules. For example, many people who … read more
A study conducted by GLSEN, Supporting Safe and Healthy Schools for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Students, was drawn from a national online survey of 1,741 school mental health professionals (SMHPs) – which included school counselors, psychologists, and social … read more
The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ youth, created this report based on over 34,000 youth respondents, which is the largest survey of LGBTQ youth mental health ever conducted. The Trevor Project’s overall … read more
Equality California sponsored 17 pieces of pro-equality legislation in Sacramento this year, 10 of which were signed into law. These laws will increase access to services for LGBTQ older adults, provide training for teachers and school staff to prevent bullying and harassment and ensure local … read more
The LGBTQ Population Evaluation Guidelines (the Guidelines) were developed during Phase II of the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP), an initiative funded by the Office of Health Equity at the California Department of Public Health. CRDP was developed in response … read more
The number of self-identifying trans people in the United State is on the rise. This article shares the story of Claire and her parents as they navigate the mental and physical health interventions involved in the path to physical transition. … read more
A new directive from the Department of Labor encourages the government to allow federal contractors to discriminate against LGBTQ people more. This past Friday, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) at the Department of Labor issued a directive … read more
For queer people, the decision to go abroad can come with some added questions: What’s the social and political climate like? Can they be out to their host family? Does the city have a queer scene? In an NPR callout … read more
Evidence-based strategies to ensure school safety and supports for SGM youth in the U.S. remain underutilized nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends six evidence-based strategies to improve safety and support for sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth … read more
Opioid use disorder has reached an alarming rate in the United States. As a population disproportionately affected by substance use disorders (SUDs), the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community has not been spared from the opioid epidemic. This … read more
This brief offers health centers an introduction to providing trauma-informed care for HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). The overall aims are to help health center staff understand the disproportionate prevalence of trauma and stress-related disorders among HIV-positive … read more
These videos demonstrate common questions and issues that arise for frontline and clinical staff when asking patients about their sexual orientation and gender identity. These videos are intended to provide a valuable training tool for health care staff looking for … read more
This pamphlet was developed as a companion for health centers asking their patients’ sexual orientation and gender identity. This handout walks patients through why they are being asked these questions and what all of the answer options mean. Patients will … read more
This guide provides information on mental health for older LGBT adults, including considerations around caregiving, legal affairs, rejection and discrimination, and getting the support you need as you move into older adulthood.
Language is powerful and influences many of our interactions. As a health care provider, becoming familiar with terms used by LGBT communities can help provide patients with the highest quality care. This glossary does not have every term used by … read more
This brochure discusses caring for your mental health as an LGBTQ+ young adult, including information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and coming out; healthy relationships; common mental health challenges and their symptoms; when to reach out for support; and your … read more
Recent findings suggest that sexual contact inconsistent with an individual’s sexual orientation (i.e., sexual orientation discordance) may increase adolescent suicide risk. Researchers analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of high school students who identified as heterosexual, gay, or lesbian … read more
According to an NPR Ed survey of transgender and gender-nonconforming educators, more than half of transgender teachers face harassment or discrimination in the workplace. Fifty-six percent reported some form of workplace discrimination or harassment. Primarily this came from the administration … read more
This report uses the best available data to provide a population estimate of LGBT African-Americans and African-American same-sex couples in the United States, along with a general overview of their socioeconomic and demographic characteristics.
This study used state-level Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2015. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents between the ages of 15 and 24 years. State same-sex marriage … read more
This article highlights the historical progress of LGBTQ civil rights among African-Americans in the U.S. While the Civil Rights Movement resulted in monumental legal changes for a country just 100 years removed from slavery, African Americans continue to experience bias, … read more
This resource showcases African-American LGBTQ activists and provides resources on coming out across environments, systems, and individuals. For many African Americans, coming out involves additional cultural factors that make the process more challenging but no less rewarding. It includes having … read more
This article provides a historical background to the issues African-Americans face across religious institutions in the U.S. The church has traditionally informed, influenced and guided the day-to-day lives of many African Americans. However, many LGBTQ African Americans face ignorance within … read more
LGBTQ people experience significant health disparities and require preventive services and treatment interventions tailored to their unique needs. Yet health care providers often do not know the sexual orientation or gender identity (SO/GI) of their patients, leading to missed screenings, … read more
Gender nonconforming refers to people whose behaviors and appearance defy the dominant cultural and societal stereotypes of their gender. Gender nonconforming youth, including both highly gender nonconforming and androgynous subgroups, make up a significant segment of the adolescent population in … read more
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) provides training and resources to ensure that culturally competent legal services address the complex issues LGBT immigrants face. Some flee persecution in their home countries or have experienced discrimination and trauma in the United … read more
A second federal judge has halted the Trump administration’s proposed transgender military ban, finding that active-duty service members are “already suffering harmful consequences” because of the president’s policy. Justice Department lawyers asked the court this month to dismiss the lawsuit … read more
According to a study analyzing 29 school shootings between 1995-2005 in the U.S., boys who engage in school shootings are more likely to experience emasculating bullying, such as being called gendered or homophobic epithets. Some researchers argue that “toxic masculinity” and the pressure … read more
The report assesses the performance of our health care system and identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses, as well as disparities, for access to health care and quality of health care. Data show differences in utilization of mental health care … read more
In this report, the California Student Survey (CSS) and the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) datasets were used to study disparities in school experience and well-being between LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ youth in California’s public schools. The study demonstrated that LGBTQ … read more
Although there are only an estimated 1.4 million people in the United States who identify as transgender, current statistics shows they are more likely to serve in the military than their peers. According to participants in this research study, negotiating … read more
Out2Enroll is a national initiative to connect LGBT people and their families, friends, and allies with the new health insurance coverage options available under the Affordable Care Act. Website resources include enrollment support; information for assisters; and FAQs on topics … read more
This study reviews the early intersections of sexuality and health that led to an LGBT health movement in the United States, as well as the evolution of LGBT health services over time. Findings indicate that LGBT community health centers are … read more
A new study from the Urban Institute provides quantitative data to support the personal experiences of housing discrimination that LGBTQ people often report in surveys. The researchers conducted over 2,000 “paired tests” in which same-sex couples, heterosexual couples, transgender people, … read more
This executive summary is intended to stimulate discussion and promote greater understanding about the meaning of health equity. It provides definitions, key concepts, and a Culture of Health Action Framework which illustrates the sectors and people involved in building a … read more
This toolkit includes resources to support rural LGBTQ populations and communities, including a report on outreach to conservative communities, safe school efforts, data on poverty, and reducing bias.
This study is one of the first to recruit a national sample of transgender patients to explore their views on the importance of collecting Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity (SO/GI) data in healthcare settings and their preferred methods of disclosure. These findings … read more
This study confirms that transgender and gender non-conforming in the United States experience health disparities compared with their cisgender peers. Overall, the transgender people sampled in the study were more likely to be overweight, to be uninsured, and to experience … read more
This resource offers tips and activities for self-care for incarcerated individuals. Topics include positive affirmations, breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, grounding techniques, and using creativity.
The Emergency Department Query for Patient-Centered Approaches to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (EQUALITY) conducted a study that demonstrated that most Americans are willing to disclose sexual orientation in the ED setting. Routine collection of data on sexual orientation is … read more
The first LGBTQ TA Center issue brief addresses the health disparities that impact the mental health of LGBTQ older adults. Seniors who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning can be the least likely to access health and social … read more
MYVP II will support project interventions tailored to at-risk racial and ethnic minority and/or disadvantaged youth (ages 12-18 years at the start of the project). It requires a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach, including at a minimum a public health agency; a … read more
The AI/AN Health Equity program will support programs that demonstrate effective promising practices that increase resiliency and protective factors within AI/AN youth, as well as build capacity among AI//AN-serving healthcare professionals and paraprofessionals about providing trauma-informed, culturally appropriate health care … read more
This study examined minority-specific victimization as a potential explanatory mechanism of sexual minority youth mental health disparities (i.e., higher rates of depression and suicidality). The authors found that this victimization significantly mediated the effect of sexual minority status on depressive … read more
The January 2017 Knowledge Network for Systems of Care TV (KSOC-TV) webcast delved into the intersecting identities of LGBTQI2-S youth of color and the associated challenges they may face, such as trauma, suicide, and resilience. A panel of experts discussed … read more
This CDC resource page provides an overview of the experiences of violence that LGBTQ youth face, the effects of this violence on their education and health, and what schools and parents can do.
Members of the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) put this visit guide together to improve access to respectful and affirming social, health, and legal services for low-income people and people of color who are transgender, gender non-conforming, or intersex (TGNCI). … read more
This January 2017 demographic data report draws on state-level, population-based surveys to estimate the racial and ethnic composition of adults who identify as transgender in the U.S. A key finding is that “adults who identify as transgender are more racially … read more
This practice guide is designed to support California probation departments in meeting their obligation to promote the safety and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, and/or gender nonconforming and transgender (LGBQ/GNCT) youth in their care and custody. The guide summarizes … read more
In 2017, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation partnered with researchers at the University of Connecticut to conduct a groundbreaking survey of over 12,000 LGBTQ youth and capture their experiences in their families, schools, social circles, and communities. The survey findings … read more
This report is based on 2017 survey responses from 1,700 California-based LGBTQ youth. One finding reported that 36% of LGBTQ youth in California rate coming out as LGBTQ to their parents as extremely stressful. To address the issues facing LGBTQ … read more
The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey had 27,715 respondents to their survey examining the experiences of transgender people in the U.S. The Executive Summary reports their experiences as involving pervasive mistreatment and violence, harmful effects on physical and mental health, severe … read more
This report marks the first time a U.S. Surgeon General has dedicated a report to substance misuse and related disorders. The report addresses alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription drug misuse with chapters dedicated to neurobiology, prevention, treatment, recovery, health systems … read more
Few data sources exist that can be used to estimate the size and proportion of transgender adults or youth in the U.S. This October 2016 demographic data report utilizes state-level, population-based survey data to estimate the proportion of the population … read more
This October 2016 SAMHSA analysis provides the first set of findings from NSDUH on substance use and mental health issues for adults by sexual identity. The analysis found that LGB adults were more likely to have substance use and mental … read more
This review examines research on mentoring for youth who are LGBTQ, intersex, and gender nonconforming (LGBTQI-GNC). A growing body of literature has identified patterns of risks faced by LGBTQI-GNC youth and points also to the types of support that may … read more
This report utilizes data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to estimate the percentage and number of adults who identify as transgender nationally and in all 50 states. The report found that 0.6%, about 1.4 million, U.S. … read more
This May 2016 policy report examines the disparities between LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ youth in child welfare settings, and discusses the compounding effects of LGBTQ status and race, ethnicity, and other intersecting identities. The report includes policy strategies to ensure LGBTQ … read more
In the United States today, there remains a persistent lack of routine data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity, including the disparities that affect the LGBTQ—leaving the challenges facing LGBT communities largely unmapped. Collecting more and better data about … read more
The Health Equity Roundtable (“Roundtable”) is a program of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, designed to help the health care industry tackle some of the important health disparities by soliciting input and information from those individuals most directly impacted … read more
Fenway Health’s National LGBT Health Education Center developed this glossary for health care teams to use when working with LGBTQ patients. The glossary is updated periodically to reflect language changes over time.
This November 2016 Teen Vogue interview with Trevor Project’s Deputy Executive Director is a youth-friendly introduction to the Trevor Project’s resources available to LGBTQ youth.
This webinar discusses definitions of the LGBTQ population, including health determinants, health disparities, and risk and protective factors. Strategies for outreach, engagement, and prevention are discussed that may be considered for local, state, national, and federal agencies.
This guide from Strong Families, a Forward Together initiative, is written to help LGBTQ individuals and families make informed decisions when choosing healthcare plans.
The government-commissioned RAND study released in May 2016 determined that the cost of providing transition-related care is exceedingly small relative to U.S. Armed Forces overall health care expenditures; that there are no readiness implications that prevent transgender members from serving … read more
This webinar provides an overview of the National CLAS Standards in relation to religion and spirituality as part of a larger series exploring culture and CLAS for providing linguistically and culturally appropriate services.
The Institute of Medicine and the Joint Commission recommend collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity in health care settings, especially in electronic health records/electronic medical records. These data are essential for providing high-quality, patient-centered care to LGBT individuals … read more
This webinar provides an overview of the National CLAS Standards in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity as part of a larger series exploring culture and CLAS for providing linguistically and culturally appropriate services.
This study is the first to examine physical and mental health-related quality of life, as an indicator of successful aging, among LGBT older adults. Utilizing a Resilience Framework, the authors found that quality of life is negatively associated with discrimination … read more
SAMHSA developed this resource guide to assist health professionals in helping LGBTQ people understand health insurance options under ACA, especially for mental health and substance use services. It also includes a brief overview of behavioral health needs, enrollment barriers, and … read more
This October 2014 report analyzes 51 studies on transgender parents and their relationships with their children. Among other findings, the studies found that the vast majority of transgender parents categorized their relationships with their children as good or positive generally; … read more
In 2011, the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law convened a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional group of experts to increase population-based data about transgender people and other gender minorities by advancing the development of sex and gender-related measures (i.e., … read more
The authors used pooled data from 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys to examine the relationships among sexual minority status, sex, and mental health and suicidality, in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of youth. Findings included that sexual … read more
With an estimated 134,000 transgender veterans in the US, this research brief analyzes the medical policies and rights of the estimated 15,500 transgender individuals serving on active duty or in the Guard or Reserve service.
This January 2014 report was developed with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The major finding is the exceptionally high prevalence of lifetime suicide attempts reported by all respondents. The report authors identify mental health factors and experiences of harassment, … read more
This study evaluates how awareness and engagement with other transgender people influences risk and resilience during early gender identity development. The results indicate that for both MTF and FTM trans individuals, having prior awareness that other trans people exist and … read more
This study examines the associations between multiple types of discrimination and past year mental health disorders in a national sample of 577 LGB adults. The authors found that sexual orientation discrimination was associated with past year disorder only in combination … read more
This brief provides unique population-level data on LGB adults aged 50-70. The authors find that these adults have higher rates of several serious chronic physical and mental health conditions than similar heterosexual adults, higher levels of mental health service use, … read more
The authors investigated health disparities among lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults, utilizing data from the 2003-2010 Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 96 992). They found that LGB older adults had higher risk of disability, poor … read more
The authors present a conceptual framework describing the psychological and structural pathways through which stigma influences health. They argue that the pervasive nature of stigma, its disruption of multiple life domains, and its corrosive impact on population health mean that … read more
Previous studies had suggested that greater concealment and less disclosure of sexual orientation may contribute to the lower levels of mental health in bisexual men relative to gay men. This study found that greater concealment was associated with more depressive … read more
This 2012 SAMHSA resource kit from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) aims to raise awareness among prevention specialists and health care providers of the needs, experiences, and health status of LGBTQ Americans. Among other topics, it includes a … read more
This study examined associations between stress and mental health among HIV-negative and –positive midlife and older gay men. Findings included that sexual minority stress and aging-related stress were appeared detrimental to mental health. A sense of mastery partially mediated these … read more
The researchers examined the psychological and behavioral impact of same-sex relationships on the health of gay and bisexual men who identified as single or in monogamous, “monogamish,” or open relationships. The authors found that being in same-sex monogamous or monogamish … read more
This study analyzed the long-term implications of LGBT school victimization and young adult psychosocial health and risk behavior. The findings included that LGBT school victimization is strongly linked to young adult mental health and risk for STDs and HIV, but … read more
The objective of this study was to determine whether the social environment surrounding LGB youth may contribute to their higher rates of suicide attempts. The authors found that LGB youth were significantly more likely to attempt suicide in the previous … read more
This study found a significant impact of minority stressors on mental health and substance use among sexual minority women. The authors recommend that health care professionals should assess sexual minority women for minority stress and coping resources, and refer as … read more
This study analyzed resilience factors among 425 lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth participants. The authors found positive effects of peer and family support, but that they did not significantly dampen the negative effects of victimization. The findings suggest that mental … read more
This chapter reviews research challenges associated with the study of LGBT populations, the research methods and data sources used in studying these populations, and best-practice principles for conducting research on the health of LGBT people. The final section presents a … read more
This study examined the associations between three types of discrimination (sexual orientation, race, and gender) and substance use disorders in a large national sample. The results indicated that more than two-thirds of LGB adults reported at least one type of … read more
Faced with both racism and homophobia, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTIQ) South Asians can find few spaces in Southern California where they can feel safe, healthy, and whole. This research report suggests specific ways for … read more
This article presents a set of preliminary policy recommendations regarding cultural competency trainings for health care providers to improve service delivery to transgender and gender-nonconforming clients. The authors propose policy recommendations to guide curriculum developers and trainers in developing content … read more
Communication is a key component to achieving and improving health literacy. Communication and language barriers affect consumers’ abilities to communicate with providers and their understanding of health concepts and procedures. Barriers to effective communication can also limit consumers’ ability to … read more
This document provides an overview of current research about transgender and gender-expansive youth in California. While more population-based data is needed, the data that follow illustrate critical aspects related to health disparities among this group of young people, including: School-based … read more
This brief includes definitions and terminology for some commonly encountered terms in LGBTQ. A detailed discussion of terminology in the context of the great diversity of transgender and gender nonconforming people encountered across cultures and languages is beyond the scope … read more
In this research article, the relationship between prior military service, identity stigma, and mental health among transgender older adults is identified. By identifying the role of military service in the mental health of transgender older adults, this study provides insights … read more
Recognizing that many LGBTQ Muslims will find it necessary to keep their sexuality hidden from their communities, HRC’s Coming Home series hopes to provide support — and key resources — to everyone on the journey toward living fully in their … read more
The linked sets of FAQ’s were developed by NASP and Gender Spectrum to guide school psychologists in their daily practice as they consult with teachers, administrators, and parents on ways to ensure that schools are welcoming, safe, and gender inclusive. … read more
The CLAS Research Clearinghouse was developed by the Center for Applied Resource Solutions (CARS) in partnership with ONTRACK Program Resources on behalf of the Community Alliance for CLAS. The site includes cultural competency related articles, book citations, and dissertations.