LGBT Health Flashcards
What is true of LGBT people?
They are sexual and gender minorities
Why are LGBT people considered to be sexual and gender minorities?
Because they fall outside of social/cultural norms regarding sex, relationships, and gender
What is the result of LGBT people being sexual and gender minorities?
They experience marginalisation and discrimination
What are societal norms constructed by?
‘Belief systems’ about what is normal, acceptable, and ideal
What is sexual orientation?
A term used to describe what gender you are attracted too
Is sexual orientation life-long, or does it vary over a lifetime?
Can be either
When can sexual orientation first be apparent from?
The age of 4
What does sexual orientation include?
- Feelings
- Behaviour
- Identity
Do the three factors of sexual orientation always coincide?
No
Can sexual orientation change?
Yes, but it cannot be changed
What is identity?
Polite terms used to describe self-identified group in public life, e.g. gay, lesbian, bisexual
Why must you always use the terms people use to identify themselves?
- Different generations have different terms they prefer to use
- Some people prefer no labels, or different labels
What terms should you use to identify someone?
The ones they use themselves
What are the categories of homosexual behaviour?
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Women who have sex with women (WSW)
Who can fit into the MSM/WSW category?
Anyone, even those tho don’t identify as gay/bi
Is homosexual behaviour, and preference, exclusive to humans?
No, it is common throughout the animal kingdom
What % of the UK population is LGBT?
5-7%
What is the problem with reporting the number of LGBT people in a population?
It is very hard to measure
Why is it very hard to measure the number of LGBT people in a population?
People may not want to admit it as it is still a marginalised identity
What % of the population live exclusively homosexual lives?
- 2% women
- 4% men
Is there a ‘gay gene’?
No clear evidence for one
What can assumptions and stereotypes about LGBT people lead to?
Negative healthcare outcomes
What does the gender binary model say?
There are two separate categories, male and female, that are clearly distinguished by anatomy
Are the two genders always clearly distinguished by anatomy?
Not all the time
What does the spectrum of diversity when it comes to gender include?
- Anatomy
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
What is gender identity?
Someones internal perception and experience of their gender
What is meant by gender role or expression?
The way the person lives in a society and interacts with others
What does gender role or expression include?
- Dress
- Talk
- Act
What is meant by transgender?
An umbrella term for those whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from birth sex
What can transgender include?
- Transsexual
- Transverstites
- Cross-dressers
- Genderqueer
What are transvestites?
Someone who wears womens clothing, but don’t feel they are a different gender
What is a transexual person?
Someone who feels a consistent and overwhelming desire to transition and fulfil their life as a member of the opposite sex
What do some transexual people choose to do?
Undergo ‘gender reassignment’ under medical supervision
What does gender reassignment consist of?
- Hormones/hormone blockers
- Surgery to change anatomy in some cases
Are all trans people transexual?
No
Why are not all trans people transexual?
Many people do not conform to gender norms, and do not wish to surgically alter their bodies to ‘fit’ either gender category
