10/11/2011 – by Cynthia Wright
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A new study suggests that daily social discrimination and inequalities that lesbian, gay and bisexual (no mention of transgendered) people face can increase their stress level and affect them physically. The researchers are hoping this study will show the public how negative societal interactions affect the LGB community.
The researchers wanted to determine how daily stress (i.e. work isolation, family estrangement) affected a group of 57 lesbians, gays or bisexuals. The focus on the study was not on hate crimes or transgendered issues.
The findings showed that the black and Hispanic participants did acknowledge stress from homophobia, racism and sexism, which they believed led them to miss certain life opportunities, such educational advancement and self-confidence building.
“For members of minority groups, day-to-day life experiences that may seem minor to others can and do have significant and lasting impact on one’s well-being,” said co-author Ilan Meyer. “The idea that simply walking out your door will expose you to societal rejection and stigma creates a climate of stress that can lead to detrimental, long-term consequences.”
At the same time, others viewed the negative issues surrounding their sexuality as leverage to explore more positive avenues that they may not have been exposed to otherwise.
The study was published online in Sexuality Research and Social Policy.
