Yes / The experiences of LGBT asylum seekers in the UK are the focus of this chapter. The relative invisibility of LGBT asylum seekers in social work literature and research is acknowledged. Data from interviews undertaken as part of a small scale research study is used to highlight issues of psychological stress, safety, social isolation and resilience and survival. This material is discussed in relation to models of minority stress, discrimination, social determinants of health, and human rights. A holistic approach to practice in response to an opening vignette, is presented with reference to the importance of advocacy and cross-sector partnership working. / This is a post-peer-review, pre-copy edited version of a chapter published in: Fish J and Karban K (Eds.) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Health Inequalities. Details of the definitive published version and how to purchase it are available online at https://policypress.co.uk/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-trans-health-inequalities.

This Master's Thesis reports on the experiences of Type 2 Diabetes of Lesbian, Queer, and Women-Loving Women. The thesis examines the impact of sexual orientation on experiences with diabetes, and how this chronic disease affects the way a woman views herself, her health, and her body image. Each participant presented her narrative and world views in regards to her diabetes health care and management, stress and trauma, and management of relationships. Through narrative analysis, I have revealed differing mechanisms of coping and explanatory models; the many women of this study selectively chose to be more open about her sexual orientation than her diabetes status.

This study qualitatively examined the experiences of transgender individuals who also identify as active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (N=10). Researchers took an interpretive phenomenological approach to elicit factors which allow trans Mormon folks to hold their apparently conflicting religious and gender identities simultaneously (and the consequences of doing so). Overall, we aimed to answer the broad question, “what is it like to be transgender and Mormon?” Following a process of semi-structured interviews, transcription, and coding, the broad categories which seemed to connect many elements of the trans/Mormon experience were 1) a sense of being pulled in two directions, 2) experiences of sacrifice, and 3) experiences of loss and rejection. Findings suggest that sacrifices of authenticity, gender expression, and well-being were made because of a desire to: a) be accepted within the LDS Church, b) promote change within the LDS Church, c) maintain family relationships, d) live congruently with one’s personal interpretation of doctrine, and/or e) follow personal guidance from God. Results also suggest that most experiences of loss and rejection for trans Mormons center around their church communities and local leadership, the LDS Church as an institution, and LDS family members.

Studien syftar till att få en ökad förståelse för antisemitiska hatbrott i Sverige, genom att undersöka främlingsfientlighet och rasistiska hatbrott mot personer med judisk bakgrund. Tidigare forskning konstaterar att antisemitiska hatbrott har ökat de senaste åren, dock finns det begränsat med vetenskaplig forskning om antisemitismen i Sverige, särskilt kvalitativa studier. För att besvara studiens syfte så har tio intervjuer genomförts och urvalet har skett genom kontakt med judiska organisationer. Studiens resultat visade att samtliga respondenter anser att antisemitismen har blivit mer påtaglig och mer utbredd i samhället än tidigare, vilket bidrar till att de måste hålla en låg profil för att inte bli utsatta. Det framkom även en oro inför framtiden och att kunna leva som jude. En förändring måste ske enligt respondenterna, lagstiftningen behöver justeras för att fler ska våga och orka anmäla de incidenter som inträffar. Skolor behöver mer kunskap för att agera och ta ansvar för problemet. Media behöver hitta sätt för att rapportera om konflikten i Mellanöstern utan att det påverkar enskilda judar. Alla i samhället behöver ta ansvar för att öka acceptansen för olikheter. Mer forskning behövs för att identifiera hur Sverige ska arbeta preventivt mot hatbrott för att trygga alla individer. / The study aims to create an increased understanding of anti-Semitic hate crimes in Sweden, by examining xenophobia and racist hate crimes againgst people with a Jewish background. Previous research states that anti-Semitic hate crimes have increased in recent years, however there is limited scientific research on anti-Semitism in Sweden, especially qualitative studies. To answer the purpose of the study, ten interviews were conducted and the selection was made, through contact with Jewish organizations. The results of the study showed that the participants believes that anti-Semitism has become more apparent and more widespread in society than before, which contributes to the fact that they must keep a low profile in order to not be exposed. There was also concern about the future and being able to live as a Jew. According to the participants a change needs to take place, the law needs to be adjusted so that more people dare and have the strenght to report the incidents that occurs. Schools need more knowledge to act and take responsibility for the problem. The media needs to find ways to report on the conflict in the Middle East without affecting individual Jews. Everyone in society needs to take responsibility for increasing acceptance of differences. More research is needed to identify how Sweden should work preventively against hates crimes to secure all indivuduals.a

Bakgrund   Ätstörningar påverkar ungefär nio procent av världens befolkning. De definieras som allvarliga och tvångsmässiga beteenden med potentiellt livsfarliga konsekvenser. Sexuella-och könsminoriteter är sårbara och marginaliserade grupper med hög risk för att lida av psykisk ohälsa. Deras upplevelser och erfarenheter som marginaliserade samhällsgrupper påverkar deras interaktion med vården. Syfte Att beskriva prevalensen och lidandet av ätstörningar hos sexuella-och könsminoriteter. Metod Studien är en icke-systematisk litteraturstudie. För att söka ut de 17 originalartiklar som inkluderades i studien användes tre separata databaser och manuell sökning. Alla artiklar har kvalitetsgranskats enligt Sophiahemmets Högskolas bedömningsunderlag. Därefter lästes materialet igenom och en integrerad dataanalys användes för att analysera det syntetiserade resultatet. Resultat Sexuella-och könsminoriteter påvisade en högre risk för att lida av ätstörningar än ciskönade heterosexuella individer. Helt homosexuella deltagare hade ofta en officiell ätstörningsdiagnos medan bisexuella deltagare rapporterade höga resultat på bedömningar om ätstörningar. Ätstörningar och ätstörningsbeteende var ofta förekommande hos könsminoriteter med motiveringen att framhäva eller förtrycka könskaraktärer. Deltagare rapporterade upplevt lidande på grund av en bristande kunskap eller möjlighet till vård. Slutsats Det finns ett behov av ett empatiskt förhållningssätt gentemot målgrupperna samt utbildning i att förstå minoritetsperspektivet för att minska lidandet bland sexuella-och könsminoriteter som lider av ätstörningar. Minoritetsstress måste tas i beaktning när man hanterar minoriteter då de löper hög risk för fysiska och psykiska sjukdomar. Resultaten illustrerade skillnader mellan grupperna vilket lyfte fram vikten av att se individen holistiskt. Genom att arbeta för att förstå minoritetsperspektivet kan vårdgivare bidra till globala mål samt lindra lidande för individen. / Background Feeding and eating disorders affect about nine percent of the human population. They are defined as serious and compulsory behaviours with potentially life-threatening consequences. Sexual and gender minorities are vulnerable and marginalised groups who are at risk of suffering psychological illnesses. Their experiences as marginalised groups of society affect their interaction with the healthcare system.  Aim To describe the prevalence and suffering of feeding and eating disorders amongst sexual and gender minorities. Method The study is a non-systematic literature review. Three separate databases along with manual search were used to find the 17 primary articles included in the study. All articles have been reviewed as per Sophiahemmet University’s assessment instruments. Thereafter, the source material was examined, and an integrated analysis was used to analyse the synthesised results.  Results Sexual and gender minorities exhibited a high risk for suffering feeding and eating disorders than cisgendered heterosexual individuals. Completely homosexual participants were more likely to have an official feeding and eating disorder diagnosis whilst bisexual participants reported high scores on feeding and eating disorder questionnaires. Feeding and eating disorders and disturbed eating behaviours were frequent amongst gender minorities with the motivation of accentuating or repressing sex characteristics. Participants reported further suffering due to lack of knowledge or care amongst healthcare providers.  Conclusions There is a need for an empathic attitude and education in understanding the minority perspective to reduce the suffering amongst sexual and gender minorities suffering feeding and eating disorders. Minority stress needs to be taken into consideration when dealing with minorities as they are at high risk of physical and mental illnesses. The results illustrated various differences between the subgroups which highlighted the importance of viewing the individual holistically. By working to understand the minority perspective, healthcare providers can contribute to global goals as well as alleviate suffering for the individual.

Creative Gender Expression Performativity may be a coping mechanism for dealing with minority stress in sexual and gender minority populations. The current study suggests the creation of a new scale that measures effortful presentation rather than directional presentation. Rather than examining whether someone identifies as masculine or feminine – the proposed model would instead look at how much effort an individual is putting into their gender expression. In this mixed methods study, participants (N = 187) completed a survey based on gender expression, minority stress, and mental health, while 10 participants completed a qualitative post-survey interview via email. Multiple regressions were performed to examine the relationships between gender expression and negative health outcomes. Tests performed examined relationships amongst factors such as positive gender expression outlook, gender congruence, and self-esteem; and outcomes including depression, anxiety, and anticipated discrimination. Multiple regression analyses revealed that positive perceptions of gender expression acted as a buffer to anticipated discrimination. TGNC individuals experienced lower self-esteem and higher depression levels than cisgender individuals. Qualitative themes uncovered motives behind gender expression, such as coping with minority stress.

Under 2022 utkom nya rekommendationer från Socialstyrelsen gällande hormonbehandling för unga med könsdysfori, och de nya rekommendationerna innebar stramare regler för vilka som erbjuds hormonbehandling. Denna kvalitativa intervjustudie ämnar undersöka hur könsidentitetsmottagningar arbetar med Socialstyrelsens nya rekommendationer samt hur mottagningarnas vårdpersonal ställer sig till rekommendationerna. Socialstyrelsens nya rekommendationer bygger på en forskningssammanställning av SBU. Denna utgör, tillsammans med studier gällande personer med könsdysforis levnadsvillkor, hälsoeffekter av hormonbehandling, psykosociala hälsoeffekter samt detransition, studiens forskningsunderlag. Studiens material har samlats in genom åtta intervjuer med vårdpersonal och sakkunnig som har kodats och tematiserats för att kunna analyseras genom kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Studien har en socialkonstruktionistisk forskningsansats. Medikaliseringsteorin och teorin om minoritetsstress utgör studiens teoretiska ramverk genom vilka materialet har analyserats. Studiens resultat indikerar att rekommendationerna har förändrat vilka som erbjuds hormonbehandling samt i vilken utsträckning de erbjuds hormonbehandling. Resultatet pekar även på att en majoritet finner rekommendationerna negativa då de inte är i linje med deras kliniska erfarenhet samt gör det svårare att skapa en allians med patienterna. Ytterligare indikerar vårt resultat att patienters psykiska ohälsa samt självmedicinering befaras öka till följd av rekommendationerna, och att detta kan medföra en ansvarsförskjutning till patienten. Några få intervjupersoner uppfattar dock rekommendationerna som övergripande positiva och det finns över lag en trygghetskänsla hos intervjupersonerna till följd av rekommendationerna.

Sexual minorities face stigmatizing experiences which can lead to disparities in physical and mental health, as well as social and economic resources. Additionally, research suggests that microaggressions, or small actions and comments that speak to a person’s prejudices, act as stigmatizing experiences and contribute to negative outcomes for the stigmatized. However, most studies of sexual minority health do not explore bisexual experiences uniquely, despite evidence that bisexuals have unique experiences of stigma and microaggressions. Those studies that do explore bisexual experiences find worse outcomes for bisexuals than their lesbian or gay counterparts. Thus, the current study developed a quantitative scale for assessing experiences of microaggressions specific to bisexuals. A 35-item scale formulated around previously identified microaggression types was validated using data from a sample of 232 bisexuals. Results indicated that bisexual microaggressions were distinct from homonegative microaggressions and that bisexual microaggressions were related to worse physical, psychological, and environmental quality of life. This scale is an additional tool that researchers may use in understanding how stigma experiences lead to negative outcomes, as well as to identify opportunities for alleviating disparities.

Background: Previous research has shown that sexual minority individuals (SM) are twice as likely to smoke, twice as likely to be overweight or obese, and less likely to be physically active than heterosexual persons; all of which place SMs at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While information on CVD risk by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status is well documented, there is scant literature examining race, gender, and the potential CVD risk in SMs. The purpose of this study was to examine CVD risk in sexual minorities. Method: The current study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The Framingham multiple-risk assessment, which uses a calculation of age, smoking, BMI, and blood pressure, was used to predict vascular age and the risk of experiencing CVD event in the next 10 years. 54% of the sample was male, 62% white, and 4% identified as a SM. The sample was split into three groups: 1) 100% heterosexual (N=4363); 2) mostly heterosexual (N=509); and 3) SM (N=188). Results: There was a trend towards significance, p = .056, for mean differences in vascular age/actual age, for SM participants (M=10.07), compared to 100% heterosexual (M=9.1) and mostly heterosexual (M=8.66) participants. Mostly heterosexual participants were 1.62 times more likely, and SM participants were 1.97 times more likely to be current smokers when compared to 100% heterosexual participants. SM participants endorsed having significantly more drinks (M = 4.50) when compared to both 100% heterosexual (M = 3.80) and mostly heterosexual (M = 3.38) participants. SM participants were 1.7 times more likely to endorse having 5 or more drinks on one occasion. SM participants also reported significantly higher stress levels than the other two groups Conclusion: While the data for the current study did not provide sufficient evidence to suggest sexual orientation differences in Framingham risk scores, the findings remain noteworthy. SM showed increased risk in smoking and stress levels. Additionally, the Population-based longitudinal studies and surveillance data are essential and necessary in order to minimize disparities in risk factors and to reduce the likelihood of subsequent disease in SM population.

[pt] O estigma associado a identidades lésbicas, gays e bissexuais (LGB) é o que expõe essas pessoas à condição de vulnerabilidade psicossocial. A teoria do Estresse de Minorias defende que minorias sociais vivenciam estressores específicos adicionais aos estressores cotidianos, que independem de uma posição de vulnerabilidade social. Fatores individuais e do contexto podem funcionar como fatores de risco e/ou de proteção no comprometimento da saúde mental de pessoas LGB. Os objetivos desta dissertação são: 1) apresentar a teoria do Estresse de Minorias em indivíduos LGB por meio de uma revisão da literatura nacional e internacional; 2) verificar o impacto da orientação sexual nos três estressores de minorias (experiências de vitimização, homofobia internailizada e ocultação da orientação sexual); 3) testar o papel moderador do suporte social e do suporte familiar na relação entre as variáveis orientação sexual, experiências de vitimização, homofobia internalizada e ocultação da orientação sexual. e; 4) verificar os possíveis efeitos moderadores da conectividade comunitária na relação entre a homofobia internalizada e desfechos negativos de saúde mental. Não foram encontradas relações entre as variáveis acima citadas. Compreende-se que isto pode ter acontecido devido às características sociodemográficas da amostra (majoritariamente branca, com ensino superior incompleto ou completo, assumida, de classe média), avanços nas políticas públicas destinadas a pessoas LGB no Brasil nos últimos anos e a limitações dos estudos, cujas coletas foram conduzidas virtualmente, o que pode ter levado a um viés de resposta. / [en] The stigma associated with LGB identities is what puts the group in a condition of social vulnerability. The minority stress theory advocates the idea that social minorities have contact with specific stressors in addition to everyday stressors, which do not depend on a position of social vulnerability. Individual and environmental factors may act as risk and / or protective factors in impairing the mental health of LGB individuals. The objectives of this thesis are: 1) to present the Minority Stress theory in LGB individuals through a review of the national and international literature; 2) to verify the impact of sexual orientation on the three minority stressors (experiences of victimization, internalized homophobia and concealment of sexual orientation); 3) to test the moderating role of social support and family support in the relationship between the variables sexual orientation, victimization experiences, internalized homophobia and concealment of sexual orientation, and 4) to verify the possible moderating effects of community connectivity on the relationship between internalized homophobia and negative mental health outcomes. No relationship was found between the variables mentioned above. It is understood that this may have happened due to sociodemographic characteristics of the sample, advances in public policies aimed at LGB individuals in Brazil in the last years and limitations of the studies, which were conducted virtually, which may have led to a response bias.