Internalized homophobia and depression in homosexual and bisexual men and women: LGBT+ health survey, 2020. / Homofobia internalizada e depressão em mulheres e homens homossexuais e bissexuais: Inquérito de saúde LGBT+, 2020.

This study aimed to analyze the association between internalized homophobia and its domains and depression in homosexual and bisexual individuals and to quantify its results in depression. This is a cross-sectional online and anonymous study based on the LGBT+ health study conducted in Brazil from August to November, 2020, summing 926 respondents. Depression was self-reported. Internalized Homophobia was measured by the Brazilian Internalized Homophobia Scale for Gays and Lesbians, using 80% percentile to classify elevated total and by domain scores. Statistical analysis was based on Poisson Regression models with robust variance. Depression prevalence was 23.7%. The results revealed that internalized homophobia was positively associated with depression only among homosexuals (Prevalence Ratio (RP) = 1.80; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.12-2.90). We found no statistical association for stigma and oppression domains. Population attributable fraction of depression was 2.3% (95%CI 0.1-4.5) in relation to internalized homophobia. Our findings highlight the need of controlling internalized homophobia to decrease the prevalence of depression among homosexuals.

Objetivou-se analisar a associação entre homofobia internalizada e seus domínios e a depressão em indivíduos homossexuais e bissexuais e quantificar o resultado da sua diminuição na depressão. Trata-se de um estudo transversal baseado em dados do inquérito de saúde LGBT+, realizado no Brasil entre agosto e novembro de 2020, de forma on-line e anônima, totalizado 926 participantes. A depressão foi avaliada por autorrelato. A homofobia internalizada foi medida pela Escala de Homofobia Internalizada para Gays e Lésbicas Brasileiros, adotando-se como escores elevados total e por domínio os percentis de 80%. A análise estatística baseou-se na regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. A prevalência de depressão foi de 23,7%. Os resultados mostraram que a homofobia internalizada associou-se positivamente à depressão apenas entre os homossexuais (Razão de Prevalência (RP) = 1,80; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) 1,12-2,90). Não houve associação com os domínios isolados de estigma e opressão. A fração atribuível populacional de depressão foi de 2,3% (IC95% 0,1-4,5) em relação à homofobia internalizada. Esses achados destacam a importância do combate à homofobia que é internalizada para a diminuição da depressão em indivíduos homossexuais.

Perspectives on sperm donor anonymity: insights from donor-conceived adults in Belgium.

STUDY QUESTION: Are donor-conceived adults in Belgium interested in obtaining donor information, and do these interests vary based on their family backgrounds? SUMMARY ANSWER: Donor-conceived adults express a significant interest in obtaining donor-related information, with the highest interest reported by offspring from heterosexual couples compared to those from lesbian couple-parented or single-parent families. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: In Belgium, sperm donation is mainly anonymous, but the rise of direct-to-consumer genetic testing challenges this anonymity. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This was a cross-sectional study involving an online nationwide survey conducted from July 2022 to October 2023. Participants, aged 18 years and older and being aware of their anonymous sperm donor-conceived status, were recruited through various channels. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: A total of 203 participants were included: 62.6% grew up in heterosexual families with infertile fathers, 26.1% with lesbian couples, 8.4% with single parents, and 3.0% in various or diverse family structures. The survey was available in both French and Dutch and consisted of 43 questions, including a mix of yes/no questions and multiple-choice items. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The average age of disclosure was 16.5 years, with notably later disclosure in heterosexual couple-parented households. A substantial 82.8% of donor-conceived individuals expressed a keen interest in obtaining non-personally identifiable donor information, while 69% were curious about personally identifiable donor data. Furthermore, 61.6% conveyed a desire for personal contact with their donors, and 26.6% advocated for the inclusion of the donor's name on their birth certificates. Participants raised in lesbian two-parent families exhibited the lowest level of interest in donor-related information compared with those raised in other family structures. An overwhelming 90.1% wondered about the possibility of having half-siblings from the same sperm donor. Analysis of survey responses on DNA database registration revealed that 55.2% of donor-conceived offspring were already registered, with 68.8% discovering the same donor offspring and 30.4% successfully locating their donors. Compared to individuals from other family structures, those raised in heterosexual couple-parented households exhibit a less positive attitude toward their conception through anonymous sperm donation. About 61.6% of donor-conceived individuals reported experiencing distinct emotions compared to their peers, while 44.1% encountered psychological difficulties related to anonymous sperm donation, primarily attributed to late disclosure. The majority supported the idea of informing the donor about the number of children he facilitated to conceive. Lastly, the study highlighted that 21.2% of donor-conceived adults considered becoming donors themselves, and 31.3% expressed willingness to use an anonymous donor whenever faced with fertility challenges. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Our sample size may not fully represent all adults conceived through anonymous sperm donation in Belgium. Participation bias may have influenced the results, especially due to the overrepresentation of participants from heterosexual couples. Additionally, an association exists between individuals raised by heterosexual couples and late disclosure, complicating the analysis by introducing a confounding factor. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the needs and preferences of donor-conceived adults, with significant potential impact on patient education and healthcare policy. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Study funding was not obtained for this research. There are no conflicts of interest to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Lala activists in dark times: queer feminist resistance to the cyber-nationalist attacks in China.

This article explores the challenges faced by Chinese queer feminist activists as they navigate the rise of cyber-nationalist attacks. Drawing from the author's involvement in China's lala and feminist movements, activists writings, and three interviews, the article discusses how lala activists cope with the rising Chinese cyber-nationalism through various strategies and reconceptualize activism beyond identity groups. The first part of the paper situates the rise of nationalism in Chinese cyberspace in relation to global neo-fascism, identifying the overlapping cyber-trolling infrastructures, the basic form of "palingenetic ultra-nationalism", and the anti-gender/queer sentiments in neo-fascist movements transcending ideological and political divisions in different regions. The second part discusses the difficulties faced by lala activists when dealing with imbalanced accountability and censorship, as well as the "hegemonic masculinity" in cyber-nationalist attacks, revealing that hegemonic masculinity seeks not only to reinforce traditional gender norms but also to control everyone's personal lives. The last part argues that Chinese lala activists' friendship-based alliances provide a valuable strategy under intensifying cyber-nationalism and state censorship. By engaging in diverse social issues and collaborating with various groups, this friendship-based solidarity prioritizes a caring life and fosters a situation where activists explore different social issues, initiate actions, and seek supporters based on specific issues instead of identities. This strategy may offer valuable insights into feminist/queer resistance during dark times, when the rise of global neo-fascism and its appropriation of identity discourse increasingly creates incommensuration between national identities and gender/sexuality identities.

Fuzzy Logic: vulnerability of women who have sex with women to sexually transmitted infections.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the possibility of applying Fuzzy Logic in analyzing the vulnerability of Women Who Have Sex with Women to Sexually Transmitted Infections/HIV/AIDS. METHODS: We developed a Fuzzy Logic system with 17 input variables and one output variable, using data related to vulnerability in a municipality located in the Midwest region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: The factor with the greatest positive impact was the confirmation that a low understanding of Sexually Transmitted Infections/HIV/AIDS is associated with higher vulnerability. Conversely, the statement "Not disclosing sexual activity to healthcare professionals," where individuals do not admit to having sex with women, had the least impact. CONCLUSIONS: Fuzzy Logic facilitates the identification of vulnerability, expressed through the analysis of interaction between variables in each dimension. This makes it a promising method to assist in analyzing the vulnerability of specific populations.

Heterosexual, Lesbian, and Gay Adults' Reactions to Same-Gender versus Other-Gender Flirtation: Findings from a German Study.

Using a vignette methodology, this study examined reactions to same-gender versus other-gender flirtation in a sample of 445 German young adults: 320 participants with a heterosexual orientation and 125 participants with a lesbian or gay (LG) orientation. Even in LG-friendly societies as Germany, receiving advances from someone of the same gender might still evoke heterosexuals' homonegativity. Another factor that might influence heterosexuals' reactions to same-gender flirtation is the fear of being misidentified as LG (social contagion concerns). Contrary to hypothesis, results provided little evidence to classify heterosexual participants' reactions to same-gender flirters as homonegative. Firstly, heterosexual participants showed the same degree of negative affect and avoidance behavior in the same-gender flirtation condition as LG participants did in the other-gender flirtation condition. Only positive affect scores were somewhat lower for heterosexual participants in the same-gender flirtation condition compared to LG participants in the other-gender flirtation condition. Secondly, when anti-LG attitudes and social contagion concerns were considered together, only social contagion concerns contributed to explaining variance in heterosexual participants' response to same-gender flirters. Specifically, the impact of social contagion concerns on heterosexual participants' avoidance of same-gender flirters was mediated by (lacking) positive affect, but not negative affect.

The Role of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance in Predicting Proximal Minority Stressors among Gay and Lesbian People in Italy.

As has been widely documented, minority stress affects the psychosocial well-being of gay and lesbian people. Recently, researchers have turned their attention to psychological factors that may influence the level of minority stress experienced, in order to explain individual differences in perceptions of proximal minority stressors. The present research aimed at assessing the effect of attachment avoidance and anxiety on levels of perceived stigma and internalized homonegativity. A total of 163 participants who self-identified as lesbian or gay (Mage = 32.56, SD = 10.87) were recruited and responded to the self-report questionnaires. Two multiple regression models were applied to assess the association between adult attachment and perceived stigma and internalized homonegativity. Results showed a positive association between attachment anxiety and avoidance and internalized homonegativity, as well as between attachment avoidance and perceived stigma. The emerging results demonstrate the impact of attachment anxiety and avoidance on proximal minority stressors and provide useful data for interventions addressing lesbian and gay people aimed at promoting security-based strategies of affect regulation and positive representations of self and others, which in turn may reduce the level of proximal minority stressors experienced and promote psychosocial well-being.

Differences in the impacts of muscle dysmorphia symptoms on distress between heterosexual women and homo/bisexual women.

Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) and its psychological impacts on women, especially within sexual minorities, are still relatively understudied. The objective of this study was to compare the relationship of MD symptoms and psychological distress between heterosexual women and lesbian/bisexual women. Our sample consisted of 479 Brazilian cisgender women from the community, aged between 18 and 70 years (M = 32.78; SD = 10.45). Among them, 327 (68.27 %) identified as heterosexual, 134 (27.98 %) as bisexual, and 18 (3.76 %) as lesbian. To ensure there was no bias due to measurement error, the psychometric properties of the instruments in the sample were tested, and invariance between the groups was assessed. t-tests, structural equation modeling, and latent profile analyses were conducted to comprehend the differences between the groups. The results indicated significant differences and a greater severity of MD symptoms and distress for lesbian/bisexual women. The implications of these results are discussed, emphasizing the need for further exploration of MD studies within sexual minorities.

Lesbian and bisexual couples experiencing dual motherhood: (dis)encounters in the provision of healthcare. / Casais de mulheres lésbicas e bissexuais que vivenciam a dupla maternidade: (des)encontros na produção do cuidado em saúde.

The bond with healthcare services is a crucial dimension in facilitating the maternal journey of lesbian and bisexual women couples. This study aimed to analyze the culturally constructed meanings regarding the bond with healthcare services and professionals by lesbian and bisexual women who experienced dual motherhood. It is a qualitative investigation grounded in interpretative anthropology. The research corpus was built based on in-depth interviews with 10 lesbian and bisexual women, aged 30 to 39 years. The results indicate that access to parenthood, until its realization, involved a journey permeated by satisfactions and sufferings triggered by failed attempts and gestational losses. Challenges experienced in healthcare provision were also reported due to prejudices, lack of empathy, and unpreparedness of professionals in dealing with prenatal care for lesbian and bisexual women couples. Manifestations of discrimination were more pronounced concerning non-gestational mothers. The findings offer insights into implementing policies that prioritize humanization and planning programs and healthcare services based on culturally sensitive care for lesbian and bisexual women couples as they transition into dual motherhood.

O vínculo com os serviços de saúde é uma dimensão crucial para viabilizar o projeto materno de casais de mulheres lésbicas e bissexuais. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os significados culturalmente construídos sobre o vínculo com os serviços e profissionais de saúde por mulheres lésbicas e bissexuais que vivenciaram a dupla maternidade. Investigação qualitativa fundamentada na antropologia interpretativa. O corpus de pesquisa foi construído com base em entrevista em profundidade com 10 mulheres de 30 a 39 anos. Os resultados mostram que o acesso à parentalidade implicou um itinerário permeado por satisfações e sofrimentos devido a tentativas frustradas e perdas gestacionais. Também foram relatados percalços vivenciados na produção do cuidado em saúde devido a preconceitos, falta de empatia e despreparo de profissionais para lidarem com acompanhamento de pré-natal aos casais de mulheres lésbicas/bissexuais. As manifestações de discriminação foram mais contundentes em relação às mães não gestantes. Os resultados oferecem subsídios para implementação de políticas de humanização e planejamento de programas e serviços de saúde baseados em cuidados culturalmente sensíveis à diversidade para casais de mulheres lésbicas/bissexuais que vivenciam a transição para a maternidade.

Exploring pathways to successful aging among older black lesbians and sexual minority women: A focus on life satisfaction and intersectional factors.

PURPOSE: Satisfaction with life is a core aspect of successful aging, which is influenced by a broad range of factors, including health, socioeconomic status, and social relationships. Black lesbians experience various social challenges, including racism, sexism, ageism, and heterosexualism, that may present as deterrents to aging successfully. To develop better policies and programs in support of successful aging among all adults, an understanding of the unique components associated with their intersecting identities must be explored. This study was carried out to gain a better understanding of how Black lesbians and other Black sexual minority women (BSMW) view successful aging within the context of life satisfaction. METHODS: Inferential statistics were used to determine relationships between satisfaction with life (SWLS-3) and selected independent variables. Backward stepwise regression was conducted to ascertain significant relationships of the study outcome variable. RESULTS: The respondents were 118 Black lesbians and other BSMW aged 50 and above. Independent t-tests showed that those living with a partner had a significantly higher SWLS-3. Backwards stepwise regression indicated the predictor variables for higher rates of SWLS-3 to be harmony in life, annual household income, and provider sensitivity/cultural competence to their patient being Black. CONCLUSION: This study provides insight on factors increasing and diminishing satisfaction with life for aging Black lesbians and other BSMW. Future research should replicate this study with a more diverse and nationally representative sample, especially given the study limitations of having recruited a highly educated sample during a global pandemic.

[Care and Support for same-sex Couples during Pregnancy and Childbirth]. / Versorgung und Betreuung gleichgeschlechtlicher Frauenpaare während Schwangerschaft und Geburt.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2015, same-sex couples in Austria have been able to fulfil their desire to have children with the help of reproductive medicine services. The aim of this study was to determine the needs of women and the special features of care for women in couple relationships during pregnancy and childbirth. METHODOLOGY: Eight interviews were conducted with Austrian women in same-sex relationships using a semi-structured guideline. The women were recruited by means of a convenience sample via an association and word of mouth. The content of the collected data was analysed using the recommended Mayring method. RESULTS: In the obstetric accompaniment of same-sex female couples, it became obvious that the usual use of language was inappropriate and alternatives to the term father, such as the term co-mother, were insufficiently established. Openness, acceptance and understanding as well as being seen as a holistic family were considered important prerequisites for improving the quality of care. In addition, the inclusion of the non-pregnant mother was considered essential. Despite their non-traditional couple relationship, female couples wanted care without special status and prejudice. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A comprehensive socio-political discourse is still needed to promote the normality of family models beyond heteronormativity. Unbiased, supportive obstetric care can offer rainbow families a framework in which children can develop healthily from the outset.

Daily Relationship Functioning and Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Sexual Minority Women in Same-Sex Relationships.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study aimed to examine associations between different types of relationship functioning and disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in the everyday lives of sexual minority women in same-sex relationships-an at-risk population that has not been assessed in this context. METHODS: Participants included 321 young sexual minority women (Mage = 27.56, SD = 3.67) in same-sex relationships who completed surveys assessing their daily relationship functioning and DEB use each day for a 14-day daily diary period. Multilevel structural equation modeling was used to examine daily-, person-, and couple-level associations among women's daily relationship functioning (general relationship functioning, positive and negative relational behaviors they and, separately, their partners engaged in) and DEBs (overeating, loss of control eating, emotional eating, and dietary restriction). RESULTS: Results generally indicated that more positive and less negative daily relationship functioning across all assessed constructs was associated with less same-day emotional eating. In contrast, associations between all daily relationship functioning constructs and loss of control eating were not significant, nor were any relationship functioning-DEB associations at the couple level. More circumscribed patterns of association were identified for associations between the relationship functioning constructs, and overeating and dietary restriction. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings provide insight into how aspects of daily relationship functioning map onto sexual minority women's daily engagement in DEBs that are linked to poor health long-term, and directions for future research and clinical practice that may warrant consideration moving forward to help advance the evidence-base and care for this historically overlooked and underserved population.

The present study examined associations between different types of relationship functioning (e.g., general relationship functioning, positive and negative relational behaviors that participants and their partners engaged in during their interactions with one another) and disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in the everyday lives of sexual minority women in same-sex relationships. Results generally indicated that on days when women reported more positive and less negative daily relationship functioning, they also reported less emotional eating that day. In contrast, associations between different types of daily relationship functioning and loss of control eating were not significant. Furthermore, associations between different types of daily relationship functioning relative to overeating and dietary restriction varied based on the type of relationship functioning and DEB under consideration. Collectively, these findings provide insight into how different types of daily relationship functioning map onto sexual minority women's daily engagement in DEBs that are linked to poor health long-term. These findings also provide directions for future research and clinical practice that may warrant consideration moving forward to help advance the evidence base and care for this historically overlooked and underserved population.

Fertility of Czech Gay and Straight Men, Women, and Their Relatives: Testing the Sexually Antagonistic Gene Hypothesis.

One proposal for the persistence of homosexuality in the human population is the sexually antagonistic gene hypothesis, which suggests that the lower fertility of homosexual individuals, especially men, may be compensated by higher fertility of their relatives of the opposite sex. To test this hypothesis, we have collected data from 7,312 heterosexual men, 459 gay men, 3,352 heterosexual women, and 79 lesbian women mainly from Czechia. In an online survey, participants answered questions regarding their own as well as their parents' and grandparents' fertility. For men, we obtained no significant results except for higher fertility of gay men's paternal grandmothers, but the magnitude of this effect was very small. For the female sample, we recorded lower fertility of lesbian women's mothers and fathers. In line with our expectations, both gay men and lesbian women had lower fertility rates than their heterosexual counterparts. Our results are consistent with recent studies which likewise do not support the sexually antagonistic gene hypothesis.

Evaluation of an SMS Based Alcohol Intervention for Same Sex Attracted Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (Trial registration ID: redacted) was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the Step One program, an SMS-based alcohol intervention for same-sex attracted women (SSAW). METHODS: Ninety-seven SSAW who scored ≥8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were randomly allocated to receive the Step One program (n = 47; mean age = 36.79) or a weekly message containing a link to a website with health information and support services for LGBT individuals (n = 50; mean age = 34.08). Participants completed questionnaires on alcohol use, wellbeing, and help-seeking at baseline (T1), intervention completion (T2; 4 wk after baseline) and 12 wk post-intervention (T3). In addition, participants in the intervention condition completed feasibility and accessibility measures at T2, and a subsample (n = 10) was interviewed about acceptability at T3. RESULTS: Across conditions, participants significantly reduced their alcohol intake and improved their wellbeing and help-seeking over time. However, there were no significant differences between the intervention and control condition. Furthermore, frequency of help-seeking was low; only four intervention group participants and three control group participants began accessing support between T1 and T3. Overall, our findings indicate the intervention would benefit from revision prior to implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Our approach was consistent with best practice in the development of an ecologically valid intervention; however, this intervention, in its current form, lacks the complexity desired by its users to optimally facilitate alcohol reduction among SSAW. Keywords: Alcohol intervention; Intervention mapping framework; Randomized controlled trial (RCT); Same-sex attracted women; Short-message service (SMS).

Community connection is associated with lower psychological distress for sexual minority women who view community connection positively.

We examined factors associated with sexual minority women's evaluations of belonging to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in Australia, and assessed whether a positive view of community participation impacted levels of psychological distress. 2424 cisgender sexual minority women participated in a national, online, cross-sectional survey of LGBTIQ adult Australians' health and well-being. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with sexual minority women's belonging to the LGBTQ community, feelings towards community connection, and associations between community connection and recent psychological distress. Most sexual minority women (58.9%) reported feeling that they are part of the LGBTQ community, and a majority of the participants felt positive about being connected to this community (68.5%). Participants who were bisexual, non-university educated, and who resided in an outer-suburban location were least likely to evaluate participation in the LGBTQ community positively. Feeling positive about community connection was associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Feeling a part of LGBTQ community was associated with lower psychological distress, but this link appears contingent upon positive feelings about community participation. Sexual minority women's' relationships to the LGBTQ community are often complex, and community connection and participation in and of itself is not a panacea for the negative outcomes associated with sexual minority stressors.

Sexual Orientation Affects Neural Responses to Subtle Social Aggression Signals.

The current series of studies are the first to examine brain responses to social aggression signals as a function of male and female sexual orientation. For the first set of studies (1a, 1b), axillary sweat had been collected from 17 heterosexual men and 17 heterosexual women aggressively responding to frustrating opponents (aggression condition) and while playing a construction game (control condition). Sweat samples were pooled according to sex and condition, and presented via a constant flow olfactometer to 17 gay and 23 heterosexual men (Study 1a), and 19 lesbian and 25 heterosexual women (Study 1b). Ongoing EEG was recorded from 61 scalp locations, chemosensory event-related potentials (CSERPs; P2, P3-1, P3-2) were analyzed, and neuronal sources calculated (low resolution electromagnetic tomography). Within the second set of studies (2a, 2b), pictures of males' and females' weak angry and neutral facial expressions were presented to 21 gay and 23 heterosexual men (Study 2a), and 19 lesbian and 26 heterosexual women (Study 2b), and ERPs (N170, P3) were analyzed. Gay men showed larger P3-1 amplitudes than heterosexual men upon presentation of male aggression sweat, accompanied by activation of the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG, BA 10). Gay men also displayed longer N170 latencies in response to men's compared to women's angry facial expressions, while heterosexual men did not. In women, sexual orientation did not affect the processing of aggression sweat or anger expressions. Gay men showed preferential processing of chemosensory aggression signals (P3-1 amplitudes), indicating fine-tuned socioemotional sensitivity, related to activation of brain areas involved in emotion regulation (IFG). They further process the relative relevance of visual aggression signals (N170 latency). These results were in line with theories proposing a common evolutionary pathway for same-sex attraction and traits easing social integration.

Long-term care planning and the influencing factors among sexual minority older women: A qualitative study.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to explore plans, considerations and factors influencing long-term care among older sexual minority (SM) women. DESIGN: Qualitative interview study. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 37 older Taiwanese SM women between May and September 2019. This study analysed interview data using a socio-ecological model and constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: The most frequently reported long-term care plans were housing and institutions, private medical or long-term care insurance, financial planning and medical decisions. Factors associated with women's long-term care plans were categorized using the socio-ecological model level: (1) intrapersonal factors: current physical and mental health status, ageing signs and women's attitudes towards ageing; (2) interpersonal-level factors: receiving support from partners, child(ren), siblings or significant others, concerns about being a caregiver for parents and worries regarding social isolation; (3) community-level factors: receiving support from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations; private lesbian online groups; or religious groups; (4) societal-level factors: concerns about negative social environments, concerns about the healthcare system and healthcare providers, inappropriate policies and insufficient resources. CONCLUSION: This study identified multi-level factors related to long-term care plans and concerns among older Taiwanese SM women. Recommendations for nurses, managers of long-term care and healthcare settings, policymakers, and governments have been provided to diminish health disparities and reduce anxiety among older SM women. IMPACT: This study assists nurses in understanding older SM women's long-term care concerns and worries when accessing long-term care and healthcare services and helps nurses provide SM-sensitive services and care for women. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: SM older women were recruited from LGBT organizations, LGBT-friendly bookstores, restaurants, coffee shops and LGBT online chatrooms using purposive and snowball sampling.

Community-based support to improve mental health and wellbeing in older sexually and gender diverse people: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: This scoping review seeks to identify what community-based support is used by older sexually and gender diverse (SGD) people, that aims to improve mental health/wellbeing. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. APA PsycInfo, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus were searched. Key information was extracted and entered into a structured coding sheet before being summarized. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included (41% observational qualitative and 35% observational quantitative). The most commonly used community-based support was lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) social groups. A range of practices were reported in five studies, including in SGD affirming religious congregations and mind-body practices. Two studies reported the use of formal programmes, with one based on a group initiative. Positive outcomes included feeling connected, improved social support and mental health, and coping with illness. Five studies reported null or negative findings, including a lack of acceptance. Most studies used categories for sex and gender inaccurately, and lacked detail when describing community-based support. CONCLUSION: The use of community-based support by older SGD people is underexplored. More interventions designed for and by this community are needed, along with experimental research to draw conclusions on effectiveness to improve mental health or wellbeing.

Sisters, it's been a while! The emotional pull of the lesbian 'gender critical' movement and a failure of solidarity.

For five years the UK lesbian community has witnessed growing animosity over the acceptance or otherwise of trans people. This division has been increasingly recognised and commented upon outside of the lesbian community as part of the mainstreaming of so-called 'gender critical' (trans-exclusionary) views. Focussing on the lesbian gender critical position, this article tackles its persistence despite the oft-presented counter that empirical research shows its concerns to be unfounded. This article aims to ask questions of this persistence, and to this end ponders the primacy of emotion in the development and sustaining of the lesbian gender critical movement. By tying its rise not only to concerns about trans rights, but instead to an opportunity to recreate lost lesbian community, purpose and solidarity, it is hoped new avenues of understanding can be explored. A centring of the emotional needs met through gender critical activism might explain why it persists even as it has become a movement that vociferously defends the strict gender categories that lesbianism itself rallies against. This centring also poses uncomfortable questions about when anti-establishment itself becomes (some form of) establishment and how that relative power is wielded. While many lesbians view the current dire situation as demanding solidarity with trans people, and make excellent arguments to promote this, this article suggests that the emotional pull of 'gender critical' will not be easily overcome and greater attention should be paid to it.

Patterns of Sexual Harassment: An Intersectional Approach to Reported Victimization in a Campus Climate Survey of Students at Irish Higher Education Institutions.

This study explores how identifying with multiple minority groups relates to sexual harassment victimization (SHV) among students in higher education institutions in Ireland (n = 6,002). Results show that gender nonconforming and female students were more likely than males to experience SHV. Bisexual or queer and gay or lesbian students were more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience SHV. Students with a physical or cognitive disability were more likely to experience SHV than those who reported no disability, and white students were more likely than minority ethnic groups to experience SHV. When controlling for sexual orientation, gender, and disability status, students who identified as both gay and lesbian and reported a cognitive disability were 8.5 times more likely to experience SHV. Victims of SHV reported having lower scores on perceived institutional support items than those who had not experienced SHV.

Identity Processes and Psychological Wellbeing Upon Recall of a Significant "Coming Out" Experience in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People.

This study focuses on the relations between minority stressors, protective factors and psychological wellbeing among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people. Experimental data based on a sample of 156 showed that participants asked to recall a negative coming out experience to somebody significant reported more identity threat and distress and less positive affect compared to those recalling a neutral coming out experience. In the negative recall condition, the effects of the stressors of discrimination and rejection on the variance of distress through the mediation of identity threat were statistically significant but not in the neutral recall condition and the two conditions statistically significantly differed in regards to the relationship between discrimination and distress. Identity resilience-continuity was associated with less identity threat and distress in the negative recall condition only, while social support was negatively associated and LGB stigma sensitivity was positively associated with distress in both conditions. Degree of outness (operating as a coping strategy) was associated with increased positive affect in both the neutral and negative recall conditions. When recalling a negative coming out experience, LGB people may be more susceptible to distress associated with minority stressors but also capitalize on available coping strategies.