#LGBTWellness and 50 Years of Stonewall Pride
LGBT HealthLink, 6/28/2019
Happy Pride! As Pride Month wraps up, LGBT HealthLink brings you a special edition of our Wellness Roundup focused on the history and importance of Stonewall and LGBT pride.
50 Years of Fighting to Improve Health
The Lancet published an editorial on how 50 years of activism since Stonewall have advanced LGBT health , especially efforts toward addressing the HIV epidemic, but also noted the many challenges that still remain. For example, they note that there will be 7 million LGBT people aged 50-plus in the U.S. by 2030, but cultural competency among older adult service providers remains very limited. Also after exploring the disparities facing LGBT youth and LGBT people of color , there is a great need to keep up the fight to truly achieve equity!
Despite Progress, Bi Visibility Remains Limited
A new study found that bisexual individuals were far less likely to be fully “out” about their sexual orientation (with 19% reporting this) than were their gay and lesbian peers. Researchers note that while visibility for the bisexual community has increased, many do not come out due to stigma and different feelings and experiences with coming out.
Organization Apologies for Psychoanalytic History
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, the American Psychoanalytic Association apologized to the LGBTQ community for its role in the pathologization of LGBTQ identities. Homosexuality and transgenderism were labeled as mental illnesses for decades, and the association says apologies can be important in addressing trauma.
Parents Need Time to Take Pride
U.S. News reported on a new study that found it can take time for parents of LGB youth to take pride in their children’s identities. The study found that on average, parents of youth who came out two years prior were still struggling as much as were parents of youth who had just come out. Parents of youth who had come out at least five years ago reported being most comfortable.
How Hiding Identities Impacts Health
Psychology Today published an article on how having to hide a part of your identity, including your sexual orientation or gender identity, can take a toll on your mental health, including by requiring “emotional labor” that can easily grow straining. While combating stigma can be hard, they say that slowly overcoming this and making your identity known to others has a big benefit.
Carrying the Mantle of HIV Advocacy
Slate explored how the LGBTQ community can carry on the legacy of what HIV advocates have accomplished, beyond ending new HIV transmissions. For example, they say that working towards comprehensive sexual health education for all could help address the rising rates of other STIs, and the community could also help improve health access for other marginalized groups.
