Mental Health and the LGBTQ+ Community

Abstract

Mental health is a widespread issue, but especially so for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community face higher levels of depression and other suicidal ideation. Things such as society, a person’s family, and their religion may affect their mental health in either positive or negative ways. Certain groups within the community may face their own issues, such as bi-erasure, gender dysphoria, and dealing with the stigma of HIV in men who have sex with men which also affect their mental health. Both mental health and the LGBTQ+ community carry a stigma with them. Due to this stigma, both LGBTQ+ community members face discrimination in school, the workplace, and even when finding housing. Several activists paved the way to try to fight the discrimination faced by the community and began working toward increasing their rights. Laws have been passed over the years that either help the community or further oppress it. The community itself is in a much better standing now but has a long way to go.

Keywords: LGBTQ+ Community, Mental Health, Stigma, Internalized Homophobia

Year Manuscript Completed

Fall 2021

Senior Project Advisor

Tricia Jordan, Ph.D.

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Social Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

  Contact Author

Share

COinS