Sexual orientation and gender identity have been an important part of human history since ancient times, but it wasn't until recently that societies began to recognize these differences as acceptable and respectable.
Many people still experience stigma and prejudice due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, which can lead to long-term negative physical and mental health outcomes. Systemic discrimination refers to practices and policies in society that result in unequal treatment for certain groups based on social categories such as race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, age, and sexual orientation. This discrimination takes place at all levels of society from individual interactions to institutional structures like education systems, workplaces, and governments. The effects of systemic discrimination against LGBTQ communities are numerous and far-reaching, affecting both individuals and communities alike.
One of the most significant impacts of systemic discrimination is the psychological distress experienced by those who identify as LGBTQ. Members of this community often face isolation, rejection, and marginalization, leading them to feel excluded from mainstream society and its norms. This can manifest itself in various ways, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, suicide attempts, and other self-destructive behaviors. Studies have shown that members of the LGBTQ community experience higher levels of mental illness than their heterosexual counterparts, with nearly half reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety compared to only one-third of non-LGBTQ adults.
LGBTQ youth are more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, with transgender youth experiencing the highest rates of attempted suicide among all subgroups within the LGBTQ community.
Physical health is also adversely affected by systemic discrimination against LGBTQ people. Discriminatory practices such as job loss, housing discrimination, and lack of access to basic services like medical care create barriers to achieving optimal physical wellbeing.
Studies show that lesbian and bisexual women are at a greater risk for heart disease than heterosexual women due to increased stress associated with stigma and discrimination.
LGBTQ individuals may avoid seeking necessary medical attention out of fear of being judged or mistreated, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment for serious conditions such as cancer. Transgender individuals also face unique health risks, particularly those who struggle financially and cannot afford gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapy.
Systemic discrimination against LGBTQ communities creates a hostile environment where violence and hate crimes are often normalized. Hate crimes committed against sexual minorities disproportionately target those who identify as gay men and transgender women, resulting in higher rates of assault, intimidation, and murder than any other marginalized group. This type of violence takes an immense toll on mental health, leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It contributes to social exclusion, further limiting opportunities for meaningful employment, education, and social support networks.
Systemic discrimination against LGBTQ communities has long-term impacts on both their physical and mental health. It causes psychological distress, increases the risk of suicide attempts, and creates barriers to achieving optimal physical wellbeing through lack of access to basic services like medical care. While progress has been made towards greater acceptance and equality within society, there is still much work to be done to create safe spaces for all members of our community regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, age, or sexual orientation/identity.
What are the long-term physical and mental health effects of systemic discrimination against LGBTQ communities?
The long-term physical and mental health effects of systemic discrimination against LGBTQ communities can be devastating. A recent study found that LGBTQ individuals who experience higher levels of discrimination have significantly worse overall health outcomes compared to their peers who do not face such discrimination (Boswell et al. , 2019).