2023 is off to an alarming start for LGBTQ+ citizens of the US. This week we recognize National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week, and in honor of that, we're spotlighting some of the most pressing issues for queer folks and their health right now.
Did you know...there have been 420 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced just this year?
With Republicans now in control of the House, there has been an uptick in anti-LGBT legislation all over the country. This is not a coincidence. Republicans are determined to strip queer and gender-nonconforming people of all their basic freedoms, but access to healthcare seems to be a main focal point of their attacks.
Did you know...5 states in the US have already prohibited gender-affirming care for trans youth?
And counting. Currently, there are 25 states that are in the trying to restrict healthcare for trans people through state legislation. That means that half of the country could become unsafe for trans people, unless we do something.
Did you know...mental healthcare is statistically less accessible for queer and trans youth?
In a survey conducted by the Trevor Project in 2022, 82% of LGBT youth who said they struggled with anxiety and depression said they wanted to receive care for their mental health. Of that group, 60% of them said they could not access it, for reasons of affordability, fear of being outed, and privacy concerns.
Did you know...mental healthcare is statistically less accessible for queer and trans youth?
In a survey conducted by the Trevor Project in 2022, 82% of LGBT youth who said they struggled with anxiety and depression said they wanted to receive care for their mental health. Of that group, 60% of them said they could not access it, for reasons of affordability, fear of being outed, and privacy concerns.
Did you know...hospitals in the US are required to have a non-discrimination policy?
Although most policies include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" under the umbrella of non-discrimination, the Human Rights Campaign reports that 59% of gay, lesbian, and bisexual respondents experienced 'serious discrimination' in healthcare. 70% of the transgender participants answered the same.
Did you know...most sex education curriculums across the country overlook LGBT-relevant health and safety info?
In a study conducted by the Human Rights Campaign, an overwhelming majority of queer, transgender, and gender non-conforming teens said they found their sex education irrelevant to their identity. In the past year, 81% of LGBT+ youth searched for health and medical information online, compared to only 46% of non-LGBT+ youth.
