June 2023 Impact Brief CEO Message
As we celebrate Pride Month, we are deeply concerned about the growing number of jurisdictions that have passed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and the harmful effect on the physical and mental health of the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other gender and sexual minority communities (LGBTQIA+ or LGBTQ+).
Over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures this year, and 70 laws have been passed. Many target transgender and nonbinary youth, including denying gender-affirming care and requiring or allowing the misgendering of transgender students. Today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado business owner who refuses to create wedding websites for same-sex couples in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. This decision could affect how states enforce anti-discrimination laws that usually require public businesses to serve everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
These laws will harm the health of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Social stigma and everyday discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals has led to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, which also can be linked to potential disparities in chronic diseases. A 2018 American Heart Association (AHA) report found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults were 36 percent less likely than heterosexual adults to have ideal cardiovascular health. In 2021, AHA released a statement on the high rates of heart disease among transgender and nonbinary individuals, linking the elevated rates to the stress of experiencing discrimination and transphobia.
There are also potential disparities in cervical, breast, lung, and other types of cancer mainly due to discrimination and other factors, as well as documented disparities in cancer screenings among the LGBTQ+ community. In addition, LGBTQ+ youth are at greater risk for mental health conditions and suicidality. The Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health reports that:
- LGBTQ youth (13-24) are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
- 41% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year (including half of transgender and nonbinary young people).
- 14% of LGBTQ youth attempted suicide in the past year, including nearly 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary young people.
- Nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ young people said their mental health was poor most of the time or always due to anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation. Nearly two in three LGBTQ young people said that hearing about potential state or local laws banning people from discussing LGBTQ people at school made their mental health a lot worse.
LGBTQ+ people are also more likely to be impacted by sexual and physical violence. A 2022 GLADD survey found that 70% of the LGBTQ+ community felt discrimination had increased in the past two years. The report also found that 36% of all LGBTQ+ adults and more than half (54%) of transgender and nonbinary people feel unsafe walking in their own neighborhoods, as well as less safe in various environments, from work, to social media, or in a typical store. In the Trevor report, 24% of LGBTQ+ youth reported they have been physically threatened or harmed due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
As stated, NACDD remains committed to improving health equity among all oppressed and marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ communities. The ongoing rise in anti-LGBTQ+ laws threaten to widen the gaps in health outcomes and accessibility to care, especially in younger populations.
We applaud jurisdictions that are signing LGBTQ+ non-discrimination protections into law and call upon all lawmakers to reject measures that would further create social stigma and prejudice against LGBTQ+ people.
Our newly established Center for Health Policy and the Center for Justice in Public Health will continue to elevate NACDD’s work in advocacy and policy, and in advancing health equity and social justice. We encourage you to further engage in discussions and opportunities to ask yourself hard questions on how to be more equitable, inclusive, and effective in our work to reduce the burden of chronic disease in marginalized communities and the overall population.
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Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month