User:OsaRosa/8. LGBTQ Health Communication

Areas of LGBTQ+ Communication Studies
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LGBTQ+ Health Communication
The examination and research of LGBTQ+ health communication is important because it creates a way for healthcare organizations to improve the quality of healthcare provided to individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. It improves the quality of life and any individuals experience.[4]

LGBTQ+ Patient-Provider Communication
Patient-provider health communication inferences how the interaction between both will go. Provider being the one providing a medical service, and patient being the medical attention. A patient/provider communicative interaction is essential for providing quality. A big topic is unique health needs, which providers take advantage of that communication. Families are formed of different identities, there is not a correct label for a family. There are many studies on the discrimination [3] queer individuals face in medical settings. There is lots of [4] discomfort and a sense of judge coming from these providers, who should be a safe space for individuals. Providers must try to strive an environment that fulfills the need of trust, respect, and cultral competence in these interactions.

Communicating LGBTQ+ Health Disparities
Many of the information that is available is not being provided for queer individuals. These individuals are being left without resources to rely on. More information is shared with biological females than with biological men.[5]Leaving many with questions and disparities about their sexuality and without information that could be useful. [6]People who should be receiving medical attention are opting out because of the disparities these are causing. Individuals with cancer who's like could be bettered and maybe cured are being left to a luck that could be different.Providing clear data, provides a better opportunity at better health. Raising advocates for individuals will create a better health environment.

HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ Health Communication
LGBTQ+ Health Communication scholars have researched HIV/AIDS extensively. Early researchers have examined how HIV/AIDS determines people's idea about sex and sexuality, including impacting how those with HIV communicate and how they think about themself. The HIV / AIDS epidemic has also created negative stigmas and stereotypes about certain LGBTQ+ groups. For example, researchers have studied how HIV-positive men who have sex with men must navigate their sex life attempting to avoid tricky or taboo topics when communicating. Misinformation is a common theme with HIV communication according to a study done on bisexual women in Canada that discussed how difficult it was for bisexual women to get the correct sexual health information. Many of the campaigns used fear based approaches that the bisexual women found ineffective in promoting behavioral change. What they wanted the most was practical information about HIV prevention that would educate using diverse examples of gender and culture. A different research project found discourse on AIDS in the intersection of medicine and politics. State governments create negative stigmas by quarantining and killing HIV patients. The government's tactics ultimately slowed the process of finding the cure for HIV and put many people's lives at risk. This marginalization becomes a theme in the LGBTQ+ community where they have to overcome hurtful stigmas and redefine their goals time and time again.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health Communication
Communication regarding LGBTQ+ mental health matters because it raises awareness. It promotes supportive resources for these individuals. Challenging stigma and advocating  for better care. The lack of mental support for trans individuals is directly to who is providing the support in the medical field. [1]LGBTQ+ individuals go through lots of stress because of medical negligence. Parents are a very big part of this mental health advocacy. [2]Many parents are not going that extra step for their children who need it the most.AL's section

LGBTQ+ Latina/o/x/e Health Communication
LGBTQ+ individuals who are also a part of Latina/o/x/e communities can experience health disparities, which are preventable differences that pertain to health tied to patients' identities. 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 the stigmas created around sexual health. Researchers found that communication around the topic of sexual health is a complicated task that has roots in communication and identity. LGB Latinx individuals experience a stigma that can increase health disparities that white individuals might not experience. The disclosure of a patient's identity might not be in the best interest of the patient because that information might be released.

Health communication researchers have found that medical professionals place Latino/LGBTQ+ youth into one large category and that Hispanic households ignore the topic of sexuality. This can make it difficult to disclose information in a healthcare setting. Researchers focused on the fil,"Tal Como Somos" whose goal is to reduce the negative attitudes and generalizations towards gay, bisexual, and transgender (GBT) Latinos. The filmmakers have stated that they want both families and healthcare professionals to have positive attitudes towards GBT Latinos because research shows that when negative attitudes towards GBT Latinos decrease then their mental health, physical health, and personal relationships will be affected positively.

Trans-affirming Health Communication
Health communication research investigates how transgendered individuals need to have places where they will not feel vulnerable or discriminated against in healthcare settings to safely access care. Healthcare professionals who are practicing trans-affirming healthcare communication can result in an improved quality of care for transgender people. Transgender people should also feel comfortable enough to disclose their health and sexuality to both their providers and their sexual partners through interpersonal communication.

Researchers have stated that individuals who identify as transgender need to practice interpersonal communication through safer sex talk with their partner. Scholarship has shown that transgender people 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. For 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.

Communication researchers have found that transgender people are an underserved population in healthcare, and they face difficulties when it comes to receiving culturally competent healthcare. Researchers have found that healthcare professionals and providers can help improve health communication for transgender individuals by creating a positive office environment, creating outreach and transgender health promotions, and healthcare providers can participate in personnel training to help improve their interactions with their transgender patients. Due to fear and the possibility of negative consequences like emotional and physical violence, transgender patients may withhold information about their identity according to researchers. Research has shown that transgender patients anticipate some stigmas and assumptions by medical providers during their visits. Transgender patients consider an inclusive co-cultural healthcare environment to be a healthcare provider providing positive and respectful health communication. Researchers also state that healthcare organizations 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.