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Hailey Quicksill

Professor Turchyn

EN-102

22 February, 2021

Annotated Bibliography #1

Balsam, Kimberly F., et al. “Victimization Over the Life Span: A Comparison of Lesbian,

Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Siblings.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical

Psychology, vol. 73, no. 3, 2005, pp. 477–487., doi:10.1037/0022-006x.73.3.477.

In the article “Victimization Over the Life Span,” the author, Kimberly F. Balsam,

analyzes the victimization experienced by individuals between groups of lesbian/gay,

bisexual, and heterosexual in their lifetime. The most important predicate for this kind of

victimization is sexual orientation. Contrasted with heterosexual participants, LGBTQ

participants reportedly suffered more psychological, sexual, and physical abuse by their

parent guardians during childhood. The examinees of the study also reported more

physical and psychological victimization with their partners in adults. Heterosexual

siblings of those involved with the study were used as a comparison group, in order to

get a real understanding of the difference in discrimination between the two groups. All

through their lifetime, those of a sexual minority status are more likely, in all variables,

to undergo domestic violence, psychological maltreatment, sexual coercion, and rape

when compared to their heterosexual counterparts.

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This journal contains extensive research on the physical and psychological abuse

of those who are apart of the LGBTQ community. This chosen article brings awareness

to the abuse that goes unnoticed in this subculture. The purpose of the journal is to

“investigate the prevalence of self-reported psychological, physical, and sexual abuse in

childhood and adulthood at large” (Balsam 1). It is in today’s society, people do not

accept anything considered abnormal, or different, but as society evolves, so should

people, and their thought processes in these situations regarding sexual orientation. The

data collected and analyzed in this journal, is used as evidence of LGBTQ discrimination

and how it affects their entire lives. The trauma that they have endured, will only cause

these people to become more prone to suicide.

Russell, Stephen T, and Jessica N Fish. “Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and

Transgender (LGBT) Youth.” Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, U.S. National

Library of Medicine, 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4887282/.

In the article “Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth,”

authors Stephen Russell and Jessica Fish reveal the amount of difficulty the LGBTQ

youth community endures in an effort to gain social acceptance. With the sudden

emergence of public awareness of the LGBTQ lives and issues over the past two

decades, studies that research this sociocultural shift, reveal suicidal tendencies of the

“gay” youth. The authors of this article outline the prevalence of mental health issues and

elaborate on this time sensitive topic by giving examples of stressors in today’s society

that serve as a catalyst for mental health issues. Though there have been dramatic
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positive changes in societal acceptance of LGBTQ people, the concern of young LGBTQ

mental Health has become more urgent. Those under stress because of being apart of a

minority group, prompt the LGBTQ youth to feel as if they are a burden to important

figures, a feeling that correlates to depression and suicidal ideation.

The reason why this article is a chosen source, is because of its extensive research

regarding social stressors and bias that affects the LGBTQ community. The article is

from a well respected organization that contains properly cited information. Information

in the article serves as concrete evidence of the mental disorders in the LGBTQ

community that stem from social constructs and discrimination. Though societal

acceptance has helped facilitate the process of “coming out,” the “age of coming out

now intersects with the developmental period characterized by potentially intense

interpersonal and social regulation of gender and sexuality, including

homophobia” (Russell & Fish). This source will help the research paper to outline certain

changes that are needed to prevent poor mental health in LGBTQ youth and pave a

brighter future for younger generations in the community to come.

Veltman, Abina. “LGBTQ Mental Health: What Every Clinician Needs to Know.” Psychiatric

Times, 31 Dec. 2019, www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/lgbtq-mental-health-what-every-

clinician-needs-know.

“LGBTQ Mental Health: What Every Clinician Needs to Know” article, written

by Albina Veltman, is an article that carefully outlines the correct protocol for situations

involving LGBTQ participants, and how to properly give support to the community. This article
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highlights the key concepts that every mental health clinician and LGBTQ supportive personnel

should follow in order to create a positive space for safety and acceptance. With the information

contained in this site, readers can educate themselves in order to protect the mental health of

those belonging to the community and further the process of bringing awareness to LGBTQ

mental health. The result of poor mental health in this population, comes from a constant

surrounding of homophobia, discrimination, and marginalization forced on the community from

peers and loved ones. This issue creates a vulnerability to mental health issues for those who

have come in contact or are surrounded by these insults.

This is a source for the research paper for the reason that it recognizes mental health of

the LGBTQ community as urgent and distinguishes correct steps to follow in order to help the

cause. It not only lists intimidating statistics regarding mental health issues and suicidal ideation

in the community, but also informs readers of warning signs of mental instability. As more

people become aware of this suicide epidemic that is festering in our country, more people will

be able to help lead those in need to better help facilities. Information as to certain acts and

behaviors that administer a more peaceful and accepting society, will be used in the research to

leave the readers with a sense duty to become better supporters of the LGBTQ community. These

suggestions on becoming an ally of the community, serve as a great way to conclude the paper

with an optimistic way to help make a change.

Younes, Samy Nour. “A short history of trans people’s long fight for equality.” TED: Ideas Worth

Spreading, March 2019, https://www.ted.com/speakers/samy_nour_younes.

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In this TED talk, Samy Nour Younes, a lead activist in the Transgender Alliance,

highlights the diversity of the trans experience throughout history. He explains to the listeners

how the idea trans people is not new, and how it dates back to two thousand years ago, where

trans people, also referred to as “two spirit,” where communities saw gender-variant people as

healers or shamans. Not until the spread of colonialism, forced these communities to think

otherwise. Younes lists the several attributions the trans community has made in history, for

example, women dressing as men in order to fight in the US Civil War. The fight for equal rights

of trans people has been long sought out, and still continues to this day. Changes in our society

are increasing as gender-variant people are demanding equal treatment, and in the past decade,

they are starting to see positive effects. The determination of this community is directly creating

a safer and more positive future for younger generations belonging to this community.

This article brings awareness to the fact that gender-variation has dated back to over two

thousand years ago, and is not just a sudden outbreak in today’s society. Throughout history,

trans people have existed, but in fear of oppression, discrimination, or even arrest, has kept them

from revealing their true self. As society progresses, and these issues are being addressed, it is

important to know the journey trans people have endured to earn basic human rights that are

given to people at birth. Oppression of trans people has lead to people remaining “closeted,” in

order to protect themselves from harm, but this takes a toll on their mental health. The

information given throughout the TED talk will be used in the research to explain to the readers

that trans people and their culture has long existed, and is apart of our history. Giving this

community the respect that is deserved, will help create a stable environment where they can
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thrive and no longer feel the need to keep they true selves hidden. History and context is a

crucial key in explaining the discrimination the trans community has faced through its existence.