{{Short description|Individuals with a minority sexual orientation or gender identity}}{{distinguish|Gender diversity|Sexual diversity}}thumb|Two fathers with their child [[File:Jogappas at Bangalore.jpg|thumb|''Jogappa'' is a transgender community in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. They are traditional folk singers and dancers.]] [[File:Gay Pride Flag.svg|thumb|The rainbow flag is the symbol for the LGBTQ community that seeks to represent sexual and gender minorities who do or may wish to identify as part of the community.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />]] '''Sexual and gender minorities''' ('''SGM''')<ref>{{cite web |last=Galloway |first=Tammy |date=March 17, 2023 |title=Gender & Sexual Minorities (GSM): Definition and Stigmas |url=https://study.com/academy/lesson/gender-sexual-minorities-gsm-definition-stigmas.html |access-date=March 17, 2023 |website=Study.com |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318050150/https://study.com/academy/lesson/gender-sexual-minorities-gsm-definition-stigmas.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|In Sinosphere, denote "sexual and gender minorities" as follows: * 性少數 (Simplified Chinese: 性少数) * 性少數者 ({{Korean|hangul=성소수자}}) * 性的少數者 ({{Langx|ja|性的少数者}}) * 少數性別 (Vietnamese: thiểu số tính dục) 少數[者] means "minority" and the 性[別] includes both "sexual" and "gender." It is sometimes paraphrased as "LGBTQ".<ref>{{cite book |editor1=Wei Lu |editor2=Shujian Huang |editor3=Yu Hong |title=Natural Language Processing and Chinese Computing: 11th CCF International Conference, NLPCC 2022, Guilin, China, September 24–25, 2022, Proceedings, Part II · Part 2 |page=346 |date=September 24, 2022 |publisher=Springer Nature Switzerland }}</ref>}} comprise individuals whose sexual identity, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, or gender identity differ from the majority of the surrounding society. Sexual minorities include lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, asexual people, and other non-heterosexual people,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sullivan|first1=Michael K.|title=Sexual Minorities: Discrimination, Challenges, and Development in America|date=2003|publisher=Haworth Social Work Practice Press|isbn=9780789002358|edition=illustrated|quote=SUMMARY. This chapter explores the cultural, religious, and sociological underpinnings of homophobia and intolerance toward homosexuals.|ol=8151801M}}</ref><ref name = CDC2016>{{cite web | publisher = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | date = August 11, 2016 | title = Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Related Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9–12 — United States and Selected Sites, 2015; Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) | volume = 65 | number = 9 | url = https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/ss/ss6509a1.htm | access-date = March 20, 2017 | first1 = Laura | last1 = Kann | first2 = Emily | last2 = O'Malley Olsen | first3 = Tim | last3 = McManus | first4 = William A. | last4 = Harris | display-authors = etal | archive-date = August 26, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190826112548/https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/ss/ss6509a1.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=MD |first=Cynthia J. Telingator |last2=MD |first2=Kelly T. Woyewodzic |date=2026-01-04 |title=Sexual Minority Identity Development {{!}} Psychiatric Times |url=https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/sexual-minority-identity-development |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=www.psychiatrictimes.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Denny |date=2021-03-11 |title=Sexual and Gender Minority Populations {{!}} Fact Sheet |url=https://www.abct.org/fact-sheets/sexual-and-gender-minority-populations/ |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=ABCT - Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Sexual & Gender Minorities |url=https://health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/ |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=health.hawaii.gov |language=en}}</ref><!-- Shari L. Shanklin, Katherine H. Flint Barbara Queen Richard Lowry David Chyen Lisa Whittle, Jemekia Thornton, Connie Lim, Yoshimi Yamakawa, ; Nancy Brener, ; Stephanie Zaza, --> Gender minorities include transgender people<ref>{{cite web|title=Definition of Terms - "Sexual Minority"|url=http://geneq.berkeley.edu/lgbt_resources_definiton_of_terms#sexual_minority|publisher=Gender Equity Resource Center|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-date=29 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729215742/http://geneq.berkeley.edu/lgbt_resources_definiton_of_terms#sexual_minority|url-status=live}}</ref> and non-binary people (including third gender<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sharma|first1=Gopal|title=Nepal to issue passports with third gender for sexual minorities|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nepal-lgbt-passports-idUKKBN0KG0RS20150107|access-date=12 March 2015|publisher=Reuters|date=7 January 2015|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608145903/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nepal-lgbt-passports-idUKKBN0KG0RS20150107|url-status=dead}}</ref>). '''Gender, sexual and romantic minorities''' ('''GSRM''') includes individuals of a minority romantic orientation such as aromanticism.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Choudhuri|first1=Devika Dibya|title=Multiplicity of LGBTQ+ Identities, Intersections, and Complexities|date=2019-09-20|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780429447297-1|work=Rethinking LGBTQIA Students and Collegiate Contexts|pages=3–16|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-429-44729-7|access-date=2021-06-09|last2=Curley|first2=Kate|doi=10.4324/9780429447297-1|s2cid=210355997|archive-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323053831/https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429447297-1/multiplicity-lgbtq-identities-intersections-complexities-devika-dibya-choudhuri-kate-curley|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Lapointe|first=Alicia|title=Postgay|date=2016|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YpTvDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA205|work=Critical Concepts in Queer Studies and Education: An International Guide for the Twenty-First Century|pages=205–218|editor-last=Rodriguez|editor-first=Nelson M.|series=Queer Studies and Education|place=New York|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US|language=en|doi=10.1057/978-1-137-55425-3_21|isbn=978-1-137-55425-3|access-date=2021-06-09|editor2-last=Martino|editor2-first=Wayne J.|editor3-last=Ingrey|editor3-first=Jennifer C.|editor4-last=Brockenbrough|editor4-first=Edward|archive-date=2023-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323053845/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/978-1-137-55425-3_21|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Sexual and gender minorities is a synonym for LGBTQ people.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psychology-teacher-network/introductory-psychology/diversity-terms |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=www.apa.org}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=2024-12-19 |title=Terminology |url=https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/lgbtq-youth/terminology.html |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=Adolescent and School Health |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Glossary — Diversity and inclusion, common rainbow terms |url=https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/guidance/glossary/diversity-and-inclusion |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sexual & Gender Minorities |url=https://health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/ |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=health.hawaii.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Russell |first=Stephen T. |last2=Bishop |first2=Meg D. |last3=Fish |first3=Jessica N. |date=July 2023 |title=Expanding Notions of LGBTQ |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11709134/ |journal=Annual Review of Sociology |volume=49 |pages=281–296 |doi=10.1146/annurev-soc-030320-032256 |issn=0360-0572 |pmc=11709134 |pmid=39781443}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Obedin-Maliver |first=Juno |last2=Hunt |first2=Carolyn |last3=Flentje |first3=Annesa |last4=Armea-Warren |first4=Cassie |last5=Bahati |first5=Mahri |last6=Lubensky |first6=Micah E. |last7=Dastur |first7=Zubin |last8=Eastburn |first8=Chloe |last9=Hundertmark |first9=Ell |last10=Moretti |first10=Daniel J. |last11=Pho |first11=Anthony |last12=Rescate |first12=Ana |last13=Greene |first13=Richard E. |last14=Williams |first14=J. T. |last15=Hursey |first15=Devin |date=2024 |title=Engaging Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Communities for Health Research: Building and Sustaining PRIDEnet |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11326444/ |journal=Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=9 |doi=10.54656/jces.v16i2.484 |issn=1944-1207 |pmc=11326444 |pmid=39149568}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mayer |first=Kenneth H. |last2=Bradford |first2=Judith B. |last3=Makadon |first3=Harvey J. |last4=Stall |first4=Ron |last5=Goldhammer |first5=Hilary |last6=Landers |first6=Stewart |date=June 2008 |title=Sexual and gender minority health: what we know and what needs to be done |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2377288/ |journal=American Journal of Public Health |volume=98 |issue=6 |pages=989–995 |doi=10.2105/AJPH.2007.127811 |issn=1541-0048 |pmc=2377288 |pmid=18445789}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=LGBTQ+ – Stanford Med Education |url=https://mededucation.stanford.edu/glossary/lgbtq/ |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=mededucation.stanford.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sexual and gender minority – Stanford Med Education |url=https://mededucation.stanford.edu/glossary/sexual-and-gender-minority/ |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=mededucation.stanford.edu}}</ref> In 2015, the United States National Institutes of Health described ''SGM'' as an "umbrella term that encompasses populations included in the acronym "LGBTI" (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex), and those whose sexual orientation or gender identity varies. It includes those who may not self-identify as any of the immediate letters of LGBTI (e.g., queer, questioning, two-spirit, asexual, men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women, gender variant), or those who have a specific medical condition affecting reproductive development (e.g., individuals with differences or disorders of sex development, who sometimes identify as intersex)."<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.edi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/EDI_Public_files/sgm-strategic-plan.pdf | title=NIH FY 2016-2020 - Strategic Plan to Advance Research on the Health and Well-being of Sexual and Gender Minorities | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318075832/https://www.edi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/EDI_Public_files/sgm-strategic-plan.pdf | archive-date=2021-03-18 }}</ref>
Numerous professional<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adaa.org/sexual-gender-minority-individuals|title=Anxiety and Depression in Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals|website=adaa.org|language=en|access-date=2019-03-04|archive-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216030844/https://adaa.org/sexual-gender-minority-individuals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fenwayhealth.org/the-fenway-institute/education/advancing-excellence-in-sexual-and-gender-minority-health/|title=Advancing Excellence in Sexual and Gender Minority Health {{!}} Fenway Health: Health Care Is A Right, Not A Privilege.|website=fenwayhealth.org|date=8 November 2018|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-04|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306111415/https://fenwayhealth.org/the-fenway-institute/education/advancing-excellence-in-sexual-and-gender-minority-health/|url-status=live}}</ref> and academic<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/research/sex-gender-minority-kenya/|title=Sexual and Gender Minorities in Western Kenya|date=2019-01-30|website=Williams Institute|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-04|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306045139/https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/research/sex-gender-minority-kenya/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://isgmh.northwestern.edu/resources/|title=Resources|date=2016-11-08|website=ISGMH|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-04|archive-date=2017-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220115821/https://isgmh.northwestern.edu/resources/|url-status=live}}</ref> institutions use ''sexual and gender minorities'' or similar terminology. In 2015, the US National Institutes of Health announced the formation of the Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dpcpsi.nih.gov/sgmro|title=Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office {{!}} DPCPSI|website=dpcpsi.nih.gov|access-date=2019-03-04|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015435/https://dpcpsi.nih.gov/sgmro|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=May 2025}}
== Origins == The term sexual minority most likely was coined in the late 1960s under the influence of Lars Ullerstam's book ''The Erotic Minorities: A Swedish View'', which is strongly in favor of tolerance and empathy to paraphilias such as pedophilia and uncommon sexualities in which people were labeled "sex criminals".<ref name=GSM1>{{cite web|last1=Lattimer|first1=Julia|title=GSM acronym better than LGBT alphabet soup|url=http://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/gsm-acronym-better-than-lgbt-alphabet-soup/article_f7a325a4-5acd-11e4-bf0d-001a4bcf6878.html|work=Collegiate Times|date=23 October 2014 |access-date=11 June 2015|archive-date=11 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711095358/http://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/gsm-acronym-better-than-lgbt-alphabet-soup/article_f7a325a4-5acd-11e4-bf0d-001a4bcf6878.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The term was used as analogous to ethnic minority.<ref>{{cite web|last1=DeGagne|first1=Alexa|title=Queering the language of 'sexual minorities' in Canada|url=http://www.congress2013.ca/blog/queering-language-sexual-minorities-canada|work=University of Alberta|access-date=11 June 2015|date=6 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612220449/http://www.congress2013.ca/blog/queering-language-sexual-minorities-canada|archive-date=12 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Ullerstam|first1=Lars|title=The Erotic Minorities: A Swedish View|date=1967|publisher=Calder & Boyars |isbn=9780714507910 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=whGGAAAAIAAJ|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-date=23 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323060710/https://books.google.com/books?id=whGGAAAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>
Scientist Ritch Savin-Williams supports using the term in order to accurately describe adolescent youths who may not identify as any common culturally defined sexual identity label but have attractions towards those of the same anatomical sex as themselves.<ref name=Savin-Williams1>Savin-Williams, Ritch C. "A critique of research on sexual-minority youths." Journal of adolescence 24.1 (2001): 5-13.</ref>
== Terminology and usage== In New Zealand, New Zealand Human Rights Commission uses the Edison "rights of sexual and gender minorities" to discuss LGBT rights.<ref>{{cite report |publisher=New Zealand Human Rights Commission |title=Human Rights in New Zealand |pages=304–323 |year=2010 |url= https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/MFAT-report-Human-Rights-Review-2010.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230601145057/https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/MFAT-report-Human-Rights-Review-2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2023 |chapter= Rights of Sexual and Gender Minorities |chapter-url= https://www.hrc.co.nz/files/1914/2388/0525/HRNZ_10_rights_of_sexual_and_gender_minorities.pdf |publication-place= Auckland |author-link=Human Rights Commission (New Zealand)}}</ref>
In India, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of India, when decriminalizing homosexuality in the case of ''Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India'' ''(2018)'''','' said:<ref name=":4">{{Cite court |litigants=Navtej Singh Johar {{Abbr|&|and}} {{Abbr|Ors.|Others}} versus Union of India {{abbr|thr.|through}} Its Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice |opinion=2018 INSC 790 |court=Supreme Court of India |date=6 September 2018 |url=https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2016/14961/14961_2016_Judgement_06-Sep-2018.pdf |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703201150/https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2016/14961/14961_2016_Judgement_06-Sep-2018.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{Blockquote|Individuals belonging to sexual and gender minorities experience discrimination, stigmatization, and, in some cases, denial of care on account of their sexual orientation and gender identity. However, it is important to note that 'sexual and gender minorities' do not constitute a homogenous group, and experiences of social exclusion, marginalization, and discrimination, as well as specific health needs, vary considerably. Nevertheless, these individuals are united by one factor - that their exclusion, discrimination and marginalization is rooted in societal heteronormativity and society's pervasive bias towards gender binary and opposite-gender relationships, which marginalizes and excludes all non-heteronormative sexual and gender identities.<ref name=":4" />}}
In the US, the term "sexual and gender minority" has been adopted by the National Institutes of Health,<ref>{{cite web |title=Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office |url= https://dpcpsi.nih.gov/sgmro |access-date=23 November 2020 |publisher= National Institutes of Health |location= Bethesda MD |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015435/https://dpcpsi.nih.gov/sgmro |url-status=dead}}</ref> the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services<ref>{{cite web |title=Sexual and Gender Minority Clearinghouse |url= https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/OMH/resource-center/hcps-and-researchers/data-tools/sgm-clearinghouse |access-date=23 November 2020 |publisher= Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |archive-date=23 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201123162325/https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/OMH/resource-center/hcps-and-researchers/data-tools/sgm-clearinghouse |url-status=live}}</ref> and the UCLA Williams Institute, which studies SGM law and policy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Park |first=Andrew |date=July 2016| title=A Development Agenda for Sexual and Gender Minorities |url= https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/development-agenda-sgm/ |access-date=23 November 2020 |publisher= UCLA Williams Institute |location=Los Angeles |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030521/https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/development-agenda-sgm/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Duke University and the University of California San Francisco both have prominent sexual and gender minority health programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Duke Sexual and Gender Minority Health Program |url= https://dukesgmhealth.org/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 June 2021 |publisher=Duke University |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210613110406/https://dukesgmhealth.org/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Center for Sexual & Gender Minority Health |url= https://sgmhealth.ucsf.edu/home |url-status=live |access-date=13 June 2021 |publisher= University of California San Francisco |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210613110416/https://sgmhealth.ucsf.edu/home}}</ref> An NIH paper recommends the term ''SGM'' because it is inclusive of "those who may not self-identify as LGBT ... or those who have a specific medical condition affecting reproductive development".<ref>{{Citation |title=Strategic Plan to Advance Research on the Health and Well-being of Sexual and Gender Minorities |date=<!-- c. 2015 --> |url= https://www.edi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/EDI_Public_files/sgm-strategic-plan.pdf |publisher= National Institutes of Health |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=18 March 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210318075832/https://www.edi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/EDI_Public_files/sgm-strategic-plan.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> A publication from the White House Office of Management and Budget states, "We believe that SGM is more inclusive, because it includes persons not specifically referenced by the identities listed in LGBT."<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2020 |title=Updates on Terminology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Survey Measures |url= https://nces.ed.gov/FCSM/pdf/FCSM_SOGI_Terminology_FY20_Report_FINAL.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2021 |website=Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology, under the auspices of the Office of Management and Budget |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210608193829/https://nces.ed.gov/fcsm/pdf/FCSM_SOGI_Terminology_FY20_Report_FINAL.pdf}}</ref>
A UK government paper favors SGM because initials like LGBTIQ+ stand for terms that,<ref>{{Cite web |title=SGM – Stanford Med Education |url=https://mededucation.stanford.edu/glossary/sgm/ |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=mededucation.stanford.edu}}</ref> especially outside the Global North, are "not necessarily inclusive of local understandings and terms used to describe sexual and gender minorities".<ref>{{Citation|title=Gender and Strategic Communications in Conflict and Stabilisation Contexts|date=January 2020|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/866351/How_to_Guide_on_Gender_and_Strategic_Communication_in_Conflict_and_Stabilisation_Contexts_-_January_2020_-_Stabilisation_Unit.pdf|publisher=HM Government|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101050719/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/866351/How_to_Guide_on_Gender_and_Strategic_Communication_in_Conflict_and_Stabilisation_Contexts_-_January_2020_-_Stabilisation_Unit.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> An example of usage outside the Global North is the Constitution of Nepal, which identifies "gender and sexual minorities" as a protected class.<ref>{{Citation|title=Constitution of Nepal|url=http://www.lawcommission.gov.np/en/archives/981|year=2015|publisher=Nepal Law Commission|access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930151001/http://www.lawcommission.gov.np/en/archives/981|url-status=live}}</ref>
Some people advocate the related term "minority sexual and gender identities" (MSGI), coined in 2000 for the purpose of explicitly including all people who are not cisgender and heterosexual or "gender, sexual, and romantic minorities" (GSRM), which is more explicitly inclusive of minority romantic orientations, but those have not been widely adopted either.<ref name="Bradford Uni">{{cite web | title=Welcome to the Bradford University Minority Sexual and Gender Identity Site! | publisher=Bradford Uni MSGI Society | year=2008 | url=http://lgbt.wikidot.com/ | access-date=9 September 2008 | archive-date=27 August 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827175247/http://lgbt.wikidot.com/ | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acronymfinder.com/Gender,-Sexual,-and-Romantic-Minorities-%28GSRM%29.html|title=GSRM - Gender, Sexual, and Romantic Minorities|publisher=acronymfinder.com|access-date=6 October 2014|archive-date=9 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009075718/http://www.acronymfinder.com/Gender,-Sexual,-and-Romantic-Minorities-%28GSRM%29.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=LGBT? LGBTQ? Queer? QUILTBAG? GSM? GSRM?|url=http://queerumich.com/post/25021141159/lgbt-lgbtq-queer-quiltbag-gsm-gsrm-whats|website=queerumich.com|publisher=University of Michigan (on Tumblr)|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409024759/http://queerumich.com/post/25021141159/lgbt-lgbtq-queer-quiltbag-gsm-gsrm-whats|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gender and Sexual Minority Students (LGBTIQA)|url=http://www.derby.ac.uk/campus/support/gender-and-sexual-minority-students/|publisher=University of Derby|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-date=9 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209064109/https://www.derby.ac.uk/campus/support/gender-and-sexual-minority-students/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Associated health and social issues == ===Stress=== Social issues may lead to possible health and psychological issues, especially in youth.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} Sexual minorities face increased stress due to stigma. Stigma-related stress creates elevated coping regulation and social and cognitive processes leading to risk for psychopathology.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Hatzenbuehler|first=Mark L.|date=2009-09-01|title=How does sexual minority stigma "get under the skin"? A psychological mediation framework.|journal=Psychological Bulletin|language=en|volume=135|issue=5|pages=707–730|doi=10.1037/a0016441|issn=1939-1455|pmc=2789474|pmid=19702379}}</ref> Examples of stigma-related stress that sexual minorities encounter throughout their lives are homophobia, rejection, and discrimination which may lead them to conceal their identities. Research has shown that about 80% of these people reported harassment.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1177/1745691613497965 | title=Minority Stress and Physical Health Among Sexual Minorities | year=2013 | last1=Lick | first1=David J. | last2=Durso | first2=Laura E. | last3=Johnson | first3=Kerri L. | journal=Perspectives on Psychological Science | volume=8 | issue=5 | pages=521–548 | pmid=26173210 | s2cid=24133995 }}</ref> These experiences{{Which|reason=we should be clear - what specifically does the reference discuss?|date=February 2025}} increase the chance of developing major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, including an increased chance of drugs and alcohol abuse.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
===Risky behavior=== The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published its 2015 study of large cohorts of ninth to twelfth grade students across the US 100 health behaviors were shown to put LGB students at risk for health consequences. Sexual minority students engage in more risky behaviors when compared with nonsexual minority students. Some students "had no sexual contact [and] were excluded from analyses on sexual behaviors [including] female students who had sexual contact with only females [and] were excluded from analyses on condom use and birth control use..." Also excluded were "male students who had sexual contact with only males [and] were excluded from analyses on birth control use."<ref name = CDC2016/>
===Development=== Based on studies of adolescents, it is concluded that sexual minorities are similar to heterosexual adolescents in developmental needs and concerns. However, research has suggested that sexual minority youth (more specifically LGBT youth) are more susceptible to psychological and health issues than heterosexual youth.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Cochran|first1=Bryan N.|last2=Stewart|first2=Angela J.|last3=Ginzler|first3=Joshua A.|last4=Cauce|first4=Ana Mari|date=2002-05-01|title=Challenges Faced by Homeless Sexual Minorities: Comparison of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Homeless Adolescents with Their Heterosexual Counterparts|journal=American Journal of Public Health|volume=92|issue=5|pages=773–777|doi=10.2105/AJPH.92.5.773|pmid=11988446|issn=0090-0036|pmc=1447160}}</ref>
===Epidemiology=== Sexual minorities tend to use alternative and complementary medicine as alternative methods of addressing their health needs more often than heterosexuals.<ref name = Blume2016>{{cite journal | title =Advances in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Interventions Among Racial, Ethnic, and Sexual Minority Populations | journal = Alcohol Research: Current Reviews | first1 = Arthur W. | last1 = Blume |date = 2016 | volume = 38 | issue =1 | pages = 47–54 | pmc = 4872612 | pmid = 27159811 }}</ref> Sexual minority women have a higher incidence of asthma, obesity, arthritis and cardiovascular disease than other groups.<ref name="SimoniSmith2016">{{cite journal|last1=Simoni|first1=Jane M.|last2=Smith|first2=Laramie|last3=Oost|first3=Kathryn M.|last4=Lehavot|first4=Keren|last5=Fredriksen-Goldsen|first5=Karen|title=Disparities in Physical Health Conditions Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Studies|journal=Journal of Homosexuality|volume=64|issue=1|year=2016|pages=32–44|issn=0091-8369|doi=10.1080/00918369.2016.1174021|pmid=27074088|pmc=5063711}}</ref>
Adolescent sexual minorities report a higher incidence of the following when compared to heterosexual students: * having feelings of not being safe travelling to and from school or in school * not going to school because they did not feel safe. * being forced to do sexual things they did not want to do by someone they were dating or going out with one or more times during the 12 months (touching, kissing, or physically forced to have sexual intercourse) * having had sexual intercourse * having sex for the first time before age 13 * having had sex with at least four other people * not using birth control * having had experienced sexual violence<ref name = CDC2016/>
When compared to the general population, sexual minorities have a higher risk for self-injury.<ref name="JackmanHonig2016">{{cite journal|last1=Jackman|first1=Kate|last2=Honig|first2=Judy|last3=Bockting|first3=Walter|title=Nonsuicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations: an integrative review|journal=Journal of Clinical Nursing|volume=25|issue=23–24|year=2016|pages=3438–3453|issn=0962-1067|doi=10.1111/jocn.13236|pmid=27272643}}</ref> The treatment of aging sexual minorities seems to be influenced more by ageism. Support for aging sexual minorities appears to be common.<ref name="McParlandCamic2016">{{cite journal|last1=McParland|first1=James|last2=Camic|first2=Paul M|title=Psychosocial factors and ageing in older lesbian, gay and bisexual people: a systematic review of the literature|journal=Journal of Clinical Nursing|volume=25|issue=23–24|year=2016|pages=3415–3437|issn=0962-1067|doi=10.1111/jocn.13251|pmid=27167408|url=http://create.canterbury.ac.uk/14478/6/14478.pdf|access-date=2019-02-13|archive-date=2018-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720115847/http://create.canterbury.ac.uk/14478/6/14478.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Discrimination=== {{Globalize|section|date=February 2025}} When gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults reported being discriminated against, 42 percent credited it to their sexual orientation. This discrimination was positively associated with both harmful effects on quality of life and indicators of psychiatric morbidity.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Mays|first1=Vickie M.|last2=Cochran|first2=Susan D.|date=2001-11-01|title=Mental Health Correlates of Perceived Discrimination Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States|journal=American Journal of Public Health|volume=91|issue=11|pages=1869–1876|doi=10.2105/AJPH.91.11.1869|pmid=11684618|pmc=1446893|issn=0090-0036|citeseerx=10.1.1.628.2374}}<sup>[16-years old]</sup></ref> Furthermore, those who were bisexuals and homosexuals compared to heterosexuals, tended to report to have one of the five psychiatric disorders examined.<ref name=":2" /> It was evident that the discrimination these homosexual individuals experienced had a negative impact leading to psychological changes.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
== In the media == Sexual minorities are generally portrayed in the mass media as being ignored, trivialized, or condemned. The term symbolic annihilation accounts for their lack of characterization due to not fitting into the white, heterosexual, vanilla type lifestyle. It has been suggested that online media has developed into a space in which sexual minorities may use "social artillery". This description centers on how social networking and connections to oppose instances of homophobia.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=PhD|first1=Paul Venzo|last2=PhD|first2=Kristy Hess|date=2013-11-01|title="Honk Against Homophobia": Rethinking Relations Between Media and Sexual Minorities|journal=Journal of Homosexuality|volume=60|issue=11|pages=1539–1556|doi=10.1080/00918369.2013.824318|issn=0091-8369|pmid=24147586|s2cid=37527336}}</ref> Still, some individuals have made their way into the media through television and music. Television shows such as ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' and ''Modern Family'' star individuals who are open about their non-heterosexual lifestyles. In music, people like Sam Smith and Sia have created songs that express their emotions and sexuality with a number of followers. While sexual minorities do have a place in the media, it is often critiqued that they are still limited in their representations. In shows, if a character is gay, they are often a shallow character that is only present for comic relief or as a plot twist. Compared to a heteronormative counterpart, the sexual minority is often a mere side-kick. However, since the integration of actors, musicians, and characters of sexual minorities, the idea of non-normativity has become more normalized in society.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tcjournal.org/drupal/vol4/bond|title=GLOing Depictions of Sexual Minorities: The Evolution of Gay- and Lesbian-Oriented Digital Media {{!}} Technoculture|website=tcjournal.org|access-date=2016-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220050024/https://tcjournal.org/drupal/vol4/bond|archive-date=2016-12-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Cultural issues== Current and past research{{Clarify|reason = into what? By whom?|date=February 2025}} has been "skewed toward SM [sexual minority] men—and is disproportionately focused on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections." From 1989 to 2011, numerous grants for research were sponsored and funded by the US National Institutes of Health but funded research for sexual minorities and health made up 0.1% of all funded studies.{{Contradict-inline|date=February 2025}} Most research has been directed toward gay and bisexual men. Women sexual minority studies accounted for 13.5%.<ref name="MullerHughes2016"/>
Sexual minorities in South Africa have sexual-orientation-related health inequities when compared to other countries. One of the higher incidents of sexual violence directed toward women of a sexual minority occurs in South Africa. Women of color who are living in low-income, urban areas notably are targeted. The perpetrators of sexual violence believe that they are "correcting the women" and that their actions will cure them of their homosexuality.<ref name="MullerHughes2016">{{cite journal|last1=Muller|first1=Alexandra|last2=Hughes|first2=Tonda L.|title=Making the invisible visible: a systematic review of sexual minority women's health in Southern Africa|journal=BMC Public Health|volume=16|issue=1|pages=307|year=2016|issn=1471-2458|doi=10.1186/s12889-016-2980-6 |pmid=27066890|pmc=4827176 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|LGBTQ|Human sexuality}} {{div col}} * Aromanticism * Ascribed characteristics * Bisexual community * Gender and sexual diversity * Human female sexuality * Human male sexuality * Human sexuality * LGBTQ people * Minority group * Queer * Sexual minorities in Japan * Sexual minorities in Sri Lanka * Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures * Tamil sexual minorities * Fictosexuality {{Div col end}}
== Explanatory notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * {{wiktionary inline}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sexual Minority}} Category:LGBTQ Category:Minorities Category:Sexuality and society Category:Social groups