Sexual Minority-related Discrimination across the Life Course: Findings from a National Sample of Adults in the United States

Cara Exten Rice, Jessica N. Fish, Stephen T. Russell, Stephanie T. Lanza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the United States, sexual minority (SM) status is associated with a number of health disparities. Based on mounting evidence, stigma and discrimination have been cited as key barriers to health equity for this population. We estimated the prevalence of three types of discrimination as a function of age among SM adults from the National Epidemiological Study of Alcohol Use and Related Conditions III (NESARC-III) (2012–2013). Among SM adults, reports of past-year general discrimination, victimization, and healthcare discrimination varied by age, with peaks in early adulthood and again in midlife. Age trends varied by biological sex, with males experiencing significantly more general discrimination, victimization, and healthcare discrimination at specific ages. Age trends also varied by sexual identity, as LGB-identifying SMs were significantly more likely to experience all forms of discrimination across all ages. Policies preventing homophobic discrimination and victimization are necessary given the pervasiveness of these experiences across adulthood.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)252-268
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Homosexuality
Volume68
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Keywords

  • LGB
  • Sexual minority
  • discrimination
  • minority stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Social Psychology
  • Education
  • General Psychology

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