ALSO IN THIS SPECIAL REPORT
Jack Turban, MD
Mathijs F. G. Lucassen, PhD; and Ana M. Ugueto, PhD, ABPP
Alexis Chavez, MD; and Shervin Shadianloo, MD
What academic terminology should be used when describing sexual and gender minority patients?
SPECIAL REPORT: SEXUAL AND GENDER MINORITIES
In the academic literature the terminology “sexual and gender minority” or SGM is commonplace. That is because SGM helps to succinctly encapsulate a diverse range of people, who often identify with multiple SGM identities. However, it is rare for young people to refer to themselves as SGM, instead (as summarized below) LGBTQ+ terms are more likely to be used.
Jack Turban, MD
Mathijs F. G. Lucassen, PhD; and Ana M. Ugueto, PhD, ABPP
Alexis Chavez, MD; and Shervin Shadianloo, MD
Typically, when an individual’s sex assigned at birth differs from their gender identity (ie, how they know themselves to be), they are categorized as transgender or
It is important to note that LGBTQ+-related labels and terms continue to evolve. For instance, there has been some debate about whether or not the more established sexual identity labels (ie, gay, lesbian, and bisexual) have now lost their meaning and relevance resulting in young people today being
Other unique subpopulations, which at times are grouped under the “plus” in LGBTQ+, include asexual and intersex individuals. Asexual individuals are those who lack sexual attractions to others. In the case of adolescents, however, it is important to consider developmental factors. For example, younger teenagers may report being “neither sex attracted.” This does not necessarily mean that they are asexual per se, but rather with age many are likely to start
LGBTQ+ youth are also diverse in terms of other important demographic features, such as being from a racial, ethnic, or religious minority group, having a disability, having an overlapping identity (like being LGB as well as transgender), or any combination of these features.8 Unfortunately, there is still
Language does matter, and although “sexual and gender minority” terminology is useful, particularly in the academic literature, it tends to be “technical jargon” that is not in common usage. When working with SGM youth, it is therefore important to pay attention to the labels and their associated descriptions, as these are used by the young person. This also extends to using the patient’s correct pronouns (ie, she/her, he/him or they/them), as indicated by the young person.
Dr Lucassen is a researcher and an educator in the Department of Health and Social Care at The Open University (United Kingdom) and an honorary academic in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland (New Zealand). Dr Ugueto is a child psychologist and an assistant professor in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. ❒
The rest of the references can be found in the extended article,
References
2. Turban JL, Ehrensaft D. Research review: gender identity in youth: treatment paradigms and controversies. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2018;59(12):1228-1243.
3. Johns MM, Lowry R, Andrzejewski J, et al. Transgender identity and experiences of violence victimization, substance use, suicide risk, and sexual risk behaviors among high school students — 19 states and large urban school districts, 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 25, 2019. Accessed March 19, 2021.
4. Clark TC, Lucassen MFG, Bullen P, et al. The health and well-being of transgender high school students: Results from the New Zealand Adolescent Health Survey (Youth’12). J Adolesc Health. 2014;55(1):93-99.
5. Russell ST, Clarke TJ, Clary J. Are teens “post-gay”? Contemporary adolescents’ sexual identity labels. J Youth Adolesc. 2009;38(7):884-890.
6. Lucassen MFG, Clark TC, Moselen E, Robinson EM, The Adolescent Health Research Group. Youth’12 the health and wellbeing of secondary school students in New Zealand: Results for young people attracted to the same sex or both sexes. The University of Auckland; 2014.
7. Australian and New Zealand Intersex Organisations. Darlington Statement: A joint statement by the Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand intersex community organisations and independent advocates. March 2017. Accessed March 17, 2021.
8. Lucassen MFG, Fleming TM, Merry SN. Tips for research recruitment: The views of sexual minority youth. Journal of LGBT Youth. 2017;14(1):16-30.
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