Public Policies, Prejudice, and Sexual and Gender Minority Health

Recent developments have influenced the fundamental rights of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in the United States, affecting SGMs in schools, in the workplace, and in other public settings. Within the last year: The Department of Education announced its Office of Civil Rights would no longer investigate complaints from transgender students who are barred from using restrooms consistent with their gender identity. The Department of Justice indicated that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act does not protect lesbian, gay, or transgender people. The Department of Health and Human Services indicated plans to expand religious refusal policies enabling health care providers to deny services to SGMs.The Department of Defense stated plans to prohibit almost all transgender Americans from serving in the military. The Administration for Community Living announced that some surveys would cease asking questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. Approximately 125 state bills were introduced designed to restrict the rights of LGBT individuals and their families. The minority stress model shows that the unique, persistent stressors experienced by SGMs are significant contributors to well-documented health disparities, such as higher rates of depression, suicidality, and substance use disorders. And recent public policies are a significant source of stress.