The Health andWell-Being of Latinx Sexual and Gender Minorities in the USA: A Call to Action

Abstract

Latinx sexual and gender minority (SGM) persons, specifically lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) persons, experience profound health disparities based on multiple factors, including their ethnicity/race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and immigration status. Although the terms SGM and LGBTQI are often used as umbrella terms, the communities and populations described by these terms are deeply varied. Currently, SGM persons are increasingly open and visible in the USA and many other parts of the world, and a modest body of knowledge on the health and well-being of some SGM subgroups currently exists. However, there are profound gaps in this emerging knowledge base. Specifically, we know very little about the health and well-being of Latinx SGM persons in the USA. In this chapter, we define some of the key terms often used to describe communities and populations of SGM, highlight some of the health disparities experienced by Latinx SGM populations, and outline critical research needs and priorities to improve the health and well-being of Latinx SGM populations.