Homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and other intersecting oppressions impact access for LGBQ people in areas including education, housing, and employment. LGBQ people may also have reduced social networks and fewer sources of individual support as a result of oppression and social stigma. These barriers may lead to high levels of stress, financial instability, reduced service utilization, and social isolation: all of which can negatively impact health.
LGBQ people may be less likely to engage with health services as a result of these structural barriers and experiences of oppression. This lack of access to appropriate health services and supports can also have a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing for LGBQ people.
The above issues have particular implications for sexual and reproductive health. Sexual behaviour is influenced by a number of factors beyond sexual attraction. Why we have sex, when we have sex, who we have sex with, whether or not we use protection, how we feel about the sex that we’re having, our ability to negotiate consent: all of these factors are influenced by the oppressions we experience, the stressors in our lives, and the supports we are able to access.