Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

In this commentary, I reflect on challenges with conducting global health research internationally as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) person, grapple with decisions related to coming out in regions with anti-LGBT laws, and outline the risks and benefits of different advocacy options related to the promotion of LGBT health globally. Despite significant advances in LGBT rights in many countries, homosexuality remains illegal in many others. Using a critical medical anthropology framework, I argue that anti-LGBT laws constitute structural violence and have many detrimental consequences including discrimination and violence; poorer mental and physical health outcomes; and risky sexual behaviors. As a global health provider, there are many options for the promotion of LGBT health worldwide.

Keywords

LGBT health global health globalization same-sex marriage human rights

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Farmer

. An anthropology of structural violence. Curr Anthropol. 2004; 45: 305–325.

Farmer

. Pathologies of Power: Health, Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor. Oakland, CA: University of California Press; 2004.

Beyrer

. Pushback: the current wave of anti-homosexuality laws and impacts on health. PLoS Med. 2014; 11: e1001658.

Semugoma

Beyrer

Baral

. Assessing the effects of anti-homosexuality legislation in Uganda on HIV prevention, treatment, and care services. SAHARA J. 2012; 9: 173–176.

Hatzenbuehler

McLaughlin

Keyes

Hasin

. The impact of institutional discrimination on psychiatric disorders in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: a prospective study. Am J Public Health. 2010; 100: 452–459.

Baral

Trapence

Motimedi

Umar

Iipinge

Dausab

. HIV prevalence, risks for HIV infection, and human rights among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malawi, Namibia, and Botswana. PLoS One. 2009; 4: e4997.

Barnett-Vanes

. Criminalising homosexuality threatens the fight against HIV/AIDS. Lancet. 2014; 383: 783–784.

Fredriksen-Goldsen

Kim

Barkan

Muraco

Hoy-Ellis

. Health disparities among lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults: results from a population-based study. Am J Public Health. 2013; 103: 1802–1809.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2013. HIV Surveillance Rep. 2015; 25.

10.

Hadland

Austin

Goodenow

Calzo

. Weight misperception and unhealthy weight control behaviors among sexual minorities in the general adolescent population. J Adolesc Health. 2014; 54: 296–303.

11.

Boehmer

Bowen

Bauer

. Overweight and obesity in sexual-minority women: evidence from population-based data. Am J Public Health. 2007; 97: 1134–1140.

12.

Buchmueller

Carpenter

. Disparities in health insurance coverage, access, and outcomes for individuals in same-sex versus different-sex relationships, 2000–2007. Am J Public Health. 2010; 100: 489–495.

13.

Johnson

Jackson

Arnette

Koffman

. Gay and lesbian perceptions of discrimination in retirement care facilities. J Homosex. 2005; 49: 83–102.

14.

Gonzales

. Same-sex marriage: a prescription for better health. N Engl J Med. 2014; 370: 1373–1376.

15.

Stewart

Kushner

Gray

Hart

. Promoting gender equity through health research: impacts and insights from a Canadian initiative. Glob Health Promot. 2013; 20: 25–38.

16.

Nagata

. Until death do us part. J Palliat Med. 2016.

Challenges,health implications,and advocacy opportunities for lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender global health providers

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References