William Leonard

Demographic and Psychosocial Factors Associated With Psychological Distress and Resilience Among Transgender Individuals.

OBJECTIVES We examined the independent demographic and psychosocial factors associated with psychological distress and resilience among transgender men and women. METHODS Our data came from an online survey involving a national Australian sample of 169 transgender men and women in 2011. Survey questions assessed demographics; sources of support; contact with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peers; and experiences of victimization. We assessed the outcomes with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale. RESULTS In all, 46.0% of the sample reported high or very high levels of psychological distress. Multivariable regression analyses identified considerably different independent factors for psychological distress and resilience. Younger age, feeling unable to turn to family for support, and victimization experiences were associated with greater psychological distress, whereas higher income, identifying as heterosexual, and having frequent contact with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peers were associated with greater resilience. CONCLUSIONS With different factors identified for psychological distress and resilience, these findings may help inform the development of tailored mental health interventions and resilience-building programs for this vulnerable population.

Coming forward : The underreporting of heterosexist violence and same sex partner abuse in Victoria.

Coming forward reports on the responses of 390 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and transgender (GLBT) Victorians to an online survey asking them about their experiences of heterosexist violence and same sex partner abuse. The survey also asked respondents questions about: Service access and quality when reporting incidents of abuse and pursuing cases through the criminal justice system Their knowledge and use of Victoria Police Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLOs) Barriers and “incentives” to their reporting and seeking assistance following an incident of heterosexist violence or same sex partner abuse The project was funded by the Victoria Law Foundation and managed through Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) with assistance from Victoria Police.

A closer look at private lives 2: addressing the mental health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Australians

Based on a national survey of almost 4000 people, the report reveals strong links between psychological distress and drug use among LGBT Australians. Executive Summary A Closer Look at Private Lives 2 is a companion to the second Private Lives report released in 2012. The research and writing of both reports were funded by beyondblue and the Movember Foundation. The project was jointly managed by GLHV and ARCSHS, La Trobe University. Background The first Private Lives was released in 2006 and at the time was one of the largest reports on LGBT health and wellbeing anywhere in the world. Both the first and second reports provided a snapshot of LGBT Australian’s everyday lives. They included demographic data on diversity within LGBT communities and data on LGBT Australian’s physical and mental health, health service use, relationships, experiences of discrimination and community connections. This companion report, in contrast, focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of LGBT Australians. It relies on the mental health data from Private Lives 2 and looks, in detail, at variations in psychological distress and resilience between LGBT and mainstream communities and variations within LGBT communities according to gender identity, sexual identity, age and socio-economic status. It also looks at the relationships between LGBT Australians mental wellbeing and their experiences of heterosexist discrimination, drug use, LGBT and mainstream community engagement, and health service use. The report concludes with an evidence-based LGBT mental health policy and program framework to guide the development of policies, programs and services aimed at promoting LGBT Australians’ positive mental health and their access to quality care. Methodology Private Lives 2 reported on the findings of a national, online survey of the lives of 3,835 LGBT Australians. Respondents came from all states and territories and from rural, regional and remote areas. The companion report used two of the validated scales from Private Lives 2 as measures of mental health outcomes: the K10 Psychological Distress Scale; and the Brief Resilience Scale. The development of the LGBT mental health policy and program framework involved a review of recent Australian population and health promotion strategies and a separate review of the research and grey literature on LGBT-inclusive service provision in Australia and overseas. Related identifer: ISBN 9781921915697

Crystal clear: The social determinants of gay men's use of crystal methamphetamine in Victoria

This monograph offers a comparative analysis of epidemiological, behavioural and social research on crystal methamphetamine use among gay men living in Melbourne and gay men living in other urban centres in Australia, the US, and the UK. It includes a survey of local expert opinion regarding the scale and scope of problematic crystal methamphetamine use among gay men resident in Victoria and a review of current crystal methamphetamine treatment and prevention options for gay men. It provides a framework for the development of a coordinated research, policy and program response that will reduce the harms to gay men associated with the use of crystal methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.

A model for lesbian, bisexual and queer-related influences on alcohol consumption and implications for policy and practice

Abstract Research consistently reports higher rates of problematic drinking among lesbian, bisexual and queer women than among heterosexual women, but relatively little research has identified underlying factors. Within this context, the aim of the present study was to qualitatively explore the sociocultural influences on alcohol consumption among lesbian, bisexual and queer women in Australia. An ethnographic study including in-depth interviews and 10 sessions of participant observation was conducted with 25 Australian lesbian, bisexual and queer women. Analysis of transcripts and fieldnotes focused on lesbian, bisexual and queer-related influences on alcohol consumption. Three lesbian, bisexual and queer-related factors were identified that influenced alcohol use: (1) coping, (2) connection and (3) intersections with lesbian, bisexual and queer identity. Most participants reported consuming alcohol to cope with discrimination or to connect with like-minded others. Alcohol use had positive influences for some women through facilitating social connection and wellbeing. Women with a high lesbian, bisexual and queer identity salience were more likely to seek lesbian, bisexual and queer community connection involving alcohol, to publicly identify as lesbian, bisexual and queer and to experience discrimination. National policies need to address underlying causes of discrimination against lesbian, bisexual and queer women. Alcohol policies and clinical interventions should acknowledge the impact of discrimination on higher alcohol consumption amongst lesbian, bisexual and queer women compared with heterosexual women, and should utilise health promotion messages regarding safe drinking that facilitate lesbian, bisexual and queer social connection.

Gender-specific health implications of minority stress among lesbians and gay men

Objectives: Lesbians and gay men are exposed to unique minority stressors. We examined the health implications of one type of distal minority stressor (victimisation) and one type of proximal minority stressor (sexual identity concealment due to anticipated stigma) among lesbians and gay men. Gender‐specific health implications were assessed.

Safe sex and the aesthetics of gay men’s HIV/AIDS prevention in Australia: From Rubba me in 1984 to F**k me in 2009

This article offers a selective review of the history of gay men’s HIV/AIDS prevention in Australia. It argues that from the outset of the epidemic, those working in gay men’s HIV prevention in Australia developed a new health education aesthetic, a safe-sex aesthetic, which packaged safe-sex information in ways that were sex positive and appealing to the target audience. At the same time, it presented safe sex as constitutive of a shared gay male identity, based on an ethics of mutual care and support. This aesthetic has proven immensely flexible in responding to and accommodating changes in the epidemic and gay male community over the past 25 years. However, it has led to attacks by conservative groups that gay men’s HIV prevention has been less about prevention and more about promoting homosexuality. This article concludes that a safe-sex aesthetic was ahead of its time, modelling best-practice health promotion nearly a decade before it became official public health policy in Australia.

Private lives 2: the second national survey on the health and wellbeing of GLBT Australians

Private Lives 2 (PL2) is a report on the second national survey of the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Australians. The first Private Lives (PL1) was released in 2006 and was, at that time, the largest survey of its kind conducted anywhere in the world. In 2011, 3,835 GLBT respondents successfully completed PL2. PL2 was an on-line survey publicised, nationally, through GLBT-community networks and media, and social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Hard copies of the survey were distributed to GLBT seniors organisations across the country. The questionnaire consisted, primarily, of forced-choice (quantitative) questions but included a small number of open-ended or qualitative questions. The project was supported by beyondblue with funds from The Movember Foundation, with additional funds provided by the Victorian Department of Health and a La Trobe University faculty grant. The project was managed jointly by Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) and the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) La Trobe University.

Sex, drugs and social connectedness: wellbeing among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men who use party-and-play drugs

Background This paper explores associations between use of party-and-play drugs, including crystal methamphetamine, and wellbeing among HIV positive gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Australia. This study considers whether use of drugs in a social or sex-based setting facilitates access to social and support networks, which may in turn support wellbeing. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of Australian people living with HIV (PLHIV) was conducted. There were 714 participants (79.7%) who identified as GBM. Differences between party-and-play drug users and non-users were examined using bivariate and multinomial logistic regressions. Mediation analysis examined the indirect effect of drug use on wellbeing via social connectedness and support. RESULTS One in three participants (29.7%) reported party-and-play drug use within the past 12 months. Only 5% reported regular use. There were no differences between users and non-users on self-reported measures of general health, wellbeing or general social support. Compared with non-users, party-and-play drug users reported higher levels of resilience and lower levels of perceived HIV-related stigma. This was associated with spending more time with other people living with HIV and friends in the gay and lesbian community. CONCLUSIONS While party-and-play drug use poses risks to the health of GBM, the social contexts in which these drugs are used may provide wellbeing benefits, particularly for HIV-positive GBM who may be subject to HIV-related stigma in other settings. Further research is needed to determine whether drug-use facilitates access to social networks or if people with more active social ties are more likely to engage in drug use.

The mental health benefits of relationship formalisation among lesbians and gay men in same-sex relationships.

Objectives: To examine links between same‐sex relationship formalisation – such as registered domestic partnerships and commitment ceremony unions – and mental health among lesbians and gay men, after controlling for differences in other relationship characteristics.