Young people "coming out" as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) in the twenty-first century are being welcomed into a community that is proud, diverse, and vibrant! This book examines the history of the LGBT community in America from its roots in the free-thinking seaport cities of the 1800s, through the social revolution of World War II, the early activists of the 1950s, the "gay pride" movements of the 1970s, the AIDS crisis, and the mainstreaming of LGBT communities of the present day. It is a story of courage in the face of oppression, a demand for civil rights, and people making meaningful and authentic lives for themselves—and having fun, too. LGBT people today are the heirs of the hopes and dreams and hard work of past generations. This is an exciting and inspirational story of an American minority group that is still fighting for full acceptance in contemporary society.

Young people "coming out" as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) in the twenty-first century are being welcomed into a community that is proud, diverse, and vibrant! This book examines the history of the LGBT community in America from its roots in the free-thinking seaport cities of the 1800s, through the social revolution of World War II, the early activists of the 1950s, the "gay pride" movements of the 1970s, the AIDS crisis, and the mainstreaming of LGBT communities of the present day. It is a story of courage in the face of oppression, a demand for civil rights, and people making meaningful and authentic lives for themselves—and having fun, too. LGBT people today are the heirs of the hopes and dreams and hard work of past generations. This is an exciting and inspirational story of an American minority group that is still fighting for full acceptance in contemporary society.

At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals-often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT-are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status. While LGBT populations often are combined as a single entity for research and advocacy purposes, each is a distinct population group with its own specific health needs. Furthermore, the experiences of LGBT individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People assesses the state of science on the health status of LGBT populations, identifies research gaps and opportunities, and outlines a research agenda for the National Institute of Health. The report examines the health status of these populations in three life stages: childhood and adolescence, early/middle adulthood, and later adulthood. At each life stage, the committee studied mental health, physical health, risks and protective factors, health services, and contextual influences. To advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, the report finds that researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People is a valuable resource for policymakers, federal agencies including the National Institute of Health (NIH), LGBT advocacy groups, clinicians, and service providers.

A balanced, nutritional diet and exercise are necessary for everyone, gay or straight. But lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people have additional health concerns that are important to remember. From AIDS infection to teen pregnancy, health issues in the gay community affect people of all ages. Learn about how issues of poor self-esteem and even self-loathing can contribute to such health risks as sexually transmitted diseases, drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, and depression. Find out how stereotyped images of ultra-thin models contribute to eating disorders and feelings of isolation. Most important, learn how LGBT people can lead healthy and productive lives by respecting themselves and each other.

"That's so gay!" Most people have heard that before, but what does it really mean? Words have power and must be used cautiously. Accepting someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) begins with first understanding what each of those identities means. Consider common stereotypes of the LGBT community, explore where they come from and what they mean, and decide if they are actually valid. How can individuals do their part to reduce hurtful stereotypes and gain a better perspective on diverse people? Find out about informational resources that are available and how young people are taking action in their communities.

Ed was sent to a religious treatment camp when he first told his family he was gay. When Sarah recognized she was a lesbian, she found support from a gay teacher in her high school. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres announced her sexual orientation on national television, and internationally-recognized musician Ricky Martin told the world he was gay on his website. For each individual, the experience of coming out and openly acknowledging oneself as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is very different. And it can take a lifetime. Share the personal coming-out experiences of these and other lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to find out more about this complicated and exciting process. Learn about organizations such as gay-straight student alliances and Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), which provide support to people whose loved ones are coming out. Find out what you can do to help make someone's coming out a positive, happy, and healthy experience.

Boys who play with Barbie dolls. Girls who join the football team. What is gender? What are gender roles? What's the difference between being a tomboy and being transgender? Is it possible to be in the wrong body? Explore the answers to these questions with an in-depth look at what it means to be transgender, based on the personal experiences of the men and women who have taken steps to transition. Learn from the experiences of transgender young people who make the significant choice to live openly as another gender while still in high school. Uncover the reality of this often misunderstood group and how it fits into the LBGT community.

The 1998 murder of 21-year-old college freshman Matthew Shepard brought home to many Americans the issue of homophobia and hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Eventually, it led to legislation at the federal level against people who commit hate crimes. But homophobia, the fear and hatred of gay people, has a long history, and despite many advances by the LGBT community, homophobia continues in our own society and around the world. Learn about the ways homophobia oppresses LGBT people, their fight for civil rights, and why an end to prejudice against gay people is important for all Americans. Examine how you yourself might be homophobic. And finally, explore the ways young people—straight and gay—can work together toward mutual understanding, respect, and a better future for all of us by ending homophobia.

This open access book examines the significance of gay neighborhoods (or ‘gayborhoods’) from critical periods of formation during the gay liberation and freedom movements of the 1960s and 1970s, to proven durability through the HIV/AIDS pandemic during the 1980s and 1990s, to a mature plateau since 2000. The book provides a framework for contemplating the future form and function of gay neighborhoods. Social and cultural shifts within gay neighborhoods are used as a framework for understanding the decades-long struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Resulting from gentrification, weakening social stigma, and enhanced rights for LGBTQ+ people, gay neighborhoods have recently become “less gay,” following a 50-year period of resilience. Meanwhile, other neighborhoods are becoming “more gay,” due to changing preferences of LGBTQ+ individuals and a propensity for LGBTQ+ families to form community in areas away from established gayborhoods. The current ‘plateau’ in the evolution of gay neighborhoods is characterized by generational differences—between Baby Boom pioneers and Millennials who favour broad inclusivity—signaling various possible trajectories for the future ‘afterlife’ of these important LGBTQ+ urban spaces. The complicating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic provides a point of comparison for lessons learned from gay neighborhoods and the LGBTQ+ community that bravely endured the onset of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This book will be of interest to students and scholars in various disciplines—including sociology, social work, anthropology, gender and sexuality, LGTBQ+ and queer studies, as well as urban geography, architecture, and city planning—and to policymakers and advocates concerned with LGBTQ+ rights and social justice.

The increase in prevalence and visibility of sexually gender diverse (SGD) populations illuminates the need for greater understanding of the ways in which current laws, systems, and programs affect their well-being. Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, or intersex, as well as those who express same-sex or -gender attractions or behaviors, will have experiences across their life course that differ from those of cisgender and heterosexual individuals. Characteristics such as age, race and ethnicity, and geographic location intersect to play a distinct role in the challenges and opportunities SGD people face. Understanding the Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Populations reviews the available evidence and identifies future research needs related to the well-being of SDG populations across the life course. This report focuses on eight domains of well-being; the effects of various laws and the legal system on SGD populations; the effects of various public policies and structural stigma; community and civic engagement; families and social relationships; education, including school climate and level of attainment; economic experiences (e.g., employment, compensation, and housing); physical and mental health; and health care access and gender-affirming interventions. The recommendations of Understanding the Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Populations aim to identify opportunities to advance understanding of how individuals experience sexuality and gender and how sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status affect SGD people over the life course.