User:Missy-Squishy 24/H’s LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x/e health communication, trans affirming health communication, and LGBTQ+ student organizing

Topic 1: LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x/e health communication
LGBTQ+ individuals who are also apart of the Latina/o/x/e community are constantly experiencing health disparities. There are many different aspects of healthcare that affect LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x/e individuals some of these include family communication, disclosure of their identity and sexuality during healthcare visits, and lastly the stigmas created around sexual health.

Article body:
The sexual health inequities that Puerto Rican Latina youth experience is limited as a result of homogeneity and heteronormativity. Latino/a LGBTQ sexuality often remains unaddressed in hispanic households which makes it difficult in healthcare settings. These individuals feel as though family therapy will help improve the communication between family members when it comes to their sexuality and how they identify.

Talking about the topic of sexual health is a complicated task that has roots in communication and identity. LGB LatinX individuals experience a stigma along with multiple marginalization which increase health disparities that white individuals might not experience. The disclosure of a patients identity might not be in the best interest of the patients because of data released by a third party.

A film was developed titled "Tal Como Somos" that links three areas of stigma (religion,family,and school) to the sexual risks (HIV/AIDS) and the use of substances by Latino GBT. Personal accounts with the film emphasize that Latino GBT have been making positive contributions to improve their own lives and the lives of others.

Topic 1: LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x/e health communication
LGBTQ+ individuals who are also a part of Latina/o/x/e communities experience health disparities. Health disparities can be defined as preventable differences that pertain to health. Many different aspects of healthcare affect LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x/e individuals including family communication, disclosure of their identity and sexuality during healthcare visits, and lastly, the stigmas created around sexual health.

Article body:
Conversations around the topic of sexual health is a complicated task that has roots in communication and identity. LGB Latinx individuals experience a stigma along with multiple marginalization which can increase health disparities that white individuals might not experience. The disclosure of a patients identity might not be in the best interest of the patient's because of data that can be released by a third party.

Homogeneity is the state of being the same and heteronormativity is the attitude towards sexuality and identity that society has created. Researchers have found that medical professionals place Latino/a LGBTQ+ youth into one large category and that Hispanic households ignore the topic of sexuality. Latino/a LGBTQ sexuality is a topic that is not really talked about in Hispanic households which can make it difficult to discuss in healthcare settings.

"Tal Como Somos" is a film whose goal is to reduce the negative attitudes and generalizations towards GBT Latinos. The filmmakers have stated that they want both families and healthcare professionals to have positive attitudes towards GBT Latinos. If negative attitudes towards GBT Latinos decrease then their mental health, physical health, and personal relationships will be affected in a positive way.

Topic 2: LGBTQ+ Student Organizing and Communication
Students who identify within the LGBTQ+ community seek ways to create a sense of community and belonging which is why it is important to maintain these organizations even when tensions arise. LGBTQ+ students create this community and belonging through the implementation of clubs and organizations within their school campus. The responses from the University, individuals outside LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals outside the LGBTQ+ community can vary.

Article Body:
Gay groups were denied recognition by their university because people feared that gay student organizations would corrupt the morals of the fellow students attending the university. Gay and lesbian students were not able to organize, be recognized by the university or practice the act of associating with fellow gay and lesbian students until after the 1972 court case of Healy v. James. Universities denying the official recognition of gay and lesbian organizations made it difficult for gay and lesbian students to create a sense of community or belonging.

Individuals join LGBTQ+ organizations within their schools campus to find a place away from the outside judgements from fellow students and concerns of acceptance at home. Creating and maintaining a culture of inclusion within an educational setting can create a safe space for students. Scholarship has found that the main activity within these LGBTQ+ on campus organizations was conversation with school staff, faculty, and fellow students so that LGBTQ+ students can voice their wants, needs, and opinions.

Researchers have located three main tensions when it comes to the creation and maintenance of LGBT student organizations 1. difference and unity 2. apathy and commitment and 3. disempowerment and empowerment. LGBT student led organizations tend to think of the organization as a community regardless of the tensions identified. LGBTQ+ students within these organizations can create tensions that don't actually exist as a result of anxiety.

Topic 3: Trans-Affirming Health Communication
Transgendered individuals need to have a place where they won't feel vulnerable or discriminated against in a healthcare setting. Healthcare professionals practicing trans-affirming healthcare can result in an improved quality of care for trans individuals. Transgender people should also feel comfortable enough to disclose their health and sexuality to both their providers and their sexual partners through interpersonal communication.

Article Body:
Researchers have stated that individuals who identify as transgender need to practice interpersonal communication through a safer sex talk with their partners. Four types of sexual communication have been identified and out of all four communication categories, safer sex practices, have gained a lot of attention. Scholarship has shown that transgender individuals who engage in safe sex talks with their partner also engage in safe sex practices like using a condom, discussing sexual history, dental dams, and rubber gloves to prevent the exchange of bodily fluids. In order of transgender individuals to participate in safe sex talks and practices they must feel like the environment they are in is safe enough to do so.

People who identify as transgender typically represent an underserved population. Scholarship has found that transgender persons have a difficult time when it comes to receiving culturally competent healthcare. Researchers have found that healthcare professionals and providers can help improve the healthcare experience for transgender individuals in several ways. These steps that providers can take include creating a positive office environment, creating outreach and transgender health promotions, and lastly healthcare providers can participate in personnel training to help improve their interactions with people who identify as transgender.

Those who identify as transgender usually withhold information about their identity due to the fear and possibility of negative consequences like the threat of emotional and physical violence. It is important for these individuals to feel comfortable enough to disclose their identity because medical providers might accidentally treat them as cisgender. Research has shown that transgender patients anticipate some stigmas and assumptions by medical providers during their visit.

Transgender patients consider a positive co-cultural healthcare environment to be a healthcare provider providing positive and respectful communication. Researchers also state that healthcare organization and providers can create a welcoming environment for transgender individuals through the implementation of trans-friendly infographics. Scholarship has found that transgender patients would benefit if all healthcare organization staff were required to participate in a trans-awareness training program.