LGBTmultiple sclerosis 

LGBT Communities

 

Who are the LGBT people and the LGBT communities? They are citizens living in every society of the modern world.  They might be colleagues, friends, individuals who other people socialise every day with, and perhaps family members. Some of them are 'out of the closet' but many are hidden in the socially created 'closets'. Even though lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* people are more visible nowadays it is still considered the norm to be heterosexual. LGBT people experience health inequalities due to that.

 

But what does the acronym LGBT mean? The acronym used here is to denote every person who does not self-identify as a heterosexual individual or the individuals who cannot explain their identity by using the classic gender binary (male-female). So, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT) individuals but not just them. I am also using this acronym as a word on its own right for people who might not like these labels and use others instead  (e.g. queer, omnisexual, pansexual, intersex etc.). 

 

But why are all these varied people placed together under the LGBT communities umbrella term? During the past few decades - and especially in the UK- these groups of people have created a fairly solid political and social group. The LGBT has transformed from just an umbrella term with several labels into a solid sociopolitical group which expects equality in all spheres of life, including health. However, I do acknowledge the distictness of the various subgroups of the spectrum and I recognise the differences of the groups (e.g. bisexual and trans* individuals face higher levels of discrimination; lesbians, bi and gay women face additional inequalities due to being women as well etc.).

 

LGBT and health

 

Even though there has been a big number of studies focusing on sexual health (in gay men mostly) and specifically related to HIV/AIDS in social sciences, there is a significant lack of knowledge in relation to other physical conditions, such as cancer or other cnronic illnesses like multiple sclerosis. But why is there a need of LGBT specific research in relation to these physical conditions? Aren't LGBT people the same as heterosexual individuals suffering from cancer, or MS?

 

Health as one of the major components of one's life is highly affected by these differences and the inequalities I mentioned earlier. Previous research has shown that indeed LGBT people are at greater risk of some forms of chronic illnesses due to socioeconomic factors (e.g. health discriminations, lower socioeconomic status due to exclusion etc.). Well, in terms of equality yes, there should not be any difference but in terms of reality and the people's life experiences there are indeed differences between LGBT and non-LGBT people. Taking into consideration the dissimilar social realities which LGBT people face (e.g. living under the heteronormative reality; experiencing heterosexist behaviour;  growing up and creating social relationships under completely different conditions compared to their heterosexual brothers and sisters; facing inequalities in several aspects of their lives etc.) yes there are differences.

 

Keep in mind though that MS is not a condition more prevalent in the LGBT community. Being an LGBT person doesn't create greater risk for MS. The exact cause of MS is not yet known.

 

The previous statements are based in evidence provided by research.

 

If you want to find more about LGBT people and LGBT health:

 

Useful terminology by LGBT Youth Scotland

Prescription for Change: Lesbian and bisexual women's health check

Gay and bisexual men's health survey

Transgender

Supporting LGBT children and young people

What is LGBT?