Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Issues

The lives of people who are sexual minorities (i.e., nonheterosexual; lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc.) or who feel their gender identity may not correspond with their biological sex (i.e., gender minorities or transgender individuals) should be uniquely considered, given both the strengths and challenges faced by these populations. Although the experiences of sexual and gender minority individuals are diverse and varied, this entry focuses on commonalities in these experiences, including issues about identity development and disclosure, facing stigma and discrimination, family relationships, work lives, and development across the lifespan from adolescence to aging well. Far more research has been conducted with lesbian and gay individuals, as compared with bisexual and transgender people; this entry highlights available findings on the LGBT population as a whole.