THURS-074 - Comparing LGBTQ Mental Health in States with Protective and Harmful LGBTQ Policies
Thursday, April 17, 2025
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM PST
Location: Pacific I/II, 2nd Floor
Area of Responsibility: Area IV: Evaluation and Research Subcompetencies: 4.3.6 Analyze data., 4.4.4 Draw conclusions based on findings. Research or Practice: Research
Student Western Michigan University Morris, Illinois, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Compare LGBTQ mental health indicators between states with protective LGBTQ policies and those with harmful LGBTQ policies.
Develop strategies for health educators to advocate for protective LGBTQ policies to improve LGBTQ health outcomes.
Identify policies that protect LGBTQ populations.
Brief Abstract Summary: Learn about the political determinants of health that influence LGBTQ mental health outcomes. States vary greatly in their policy landscape relative to LGBTQ equity, with some states enacting robust non-discriminatory laws and efforts to protect LGBTQ youth, while other states lack basic protections for LGBTQ individuals. This study examined whether states with protective LGBTQ policies have better LGBTQ mental health outcomes compared to states with harmful policies. Understanding the political determinants of health for LGBTQ communities is vital for health educators to inform advocacy efforts and develop targeted interventions to address LGBTQ health disparities.
Detailed abstract description: LGBTQ individuals face significant health disparities compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. These disparities are often exacerbated by structural stigma, including discriminatory policies and lack of legal protections. States vary greatly in their policy landscape relative to LGBTQ policy equity, with some states enacting robust non-discriminatory laws and efforts to protect LGBTQ youth and other states lacking basic protections for LGBTQ individuals. This study examined whether states with protective LGBTQ policies have better LGBTQ mental health outcomes compared to states with harmful policies. Data from the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) categorized states based on their LGBTQ policy landscape in 2020. The fourteen states identified as “high” by MAP were classified as having protective policies, while the twelve states that were identified as “negative” by MAP were classified as having harmful policies. LGBTQ health outcomes were assessed using 2020 Census Household Pulse Survey data, which includes self-reported measures of mental health, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare LGBTQ outcomes between states with protective versus harmful policies. Understanding the political determinants of health for LGBTQ communities is vital for health educators to inform advocacy efforts and develop targeted interventions to address LGBTQ health disparities.
