Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the unique healthcare needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) immigrants and refugees, and highlights the political, legal, and social realities faced by these populations. Different regions of the world have dramatically differing laws and attitudes towards sexual minorities, and persecution of LGBT individuals is commonplace. This results in fear of being exposed, aversion to healthcare providers, and poorer health outcomes in this population. Once they relocate to the United States, LGBT immigrants routinely face the challenges of “double marginalization” that come with being both cultural minorities in their newly adopted country as well as sexual minorities in their ethnic community and in American society more broadly. They encounter numerous difficulties while navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration, law enforcement, and healthcare systems in order to receive access to quality, affordable healthcare.
This chapter recommends numerous tactics that healthcare providers can employ to interact with LGBT immigrant/refugee patients in a manner that is culturally competent and respectful of these patients’ identities. Examples include recognizing that terminology for non-heteronormative behavior varies across cultures; using the patient’s chosen vocabulary to shape discussions of sexual behavior and identity; emphasizing confidentiality of medical information; and understanding the unique determinants of trauma, abuse, and mental health in this population. All healthcare providers should familiarize themselves with the diverse backgrounds, politico-legal challenges, and unique health needs of LGBT immigrants in order to provide compassionate, quality, and culturally competent healthcare to this population.
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Gridley, S.J., Kothary, V. (2016). Immigrant and International LGBT Health. In: Eckstrand, K., Ehrenfeld, J. (eds) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Healthcare. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19752-4_22
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