Sexual Orientation
Why Does It Matter?
"LGBTQ+ and Polyamory in Animals: Yes, It's Natural", Antonia Forster, 19 min
Sexual orientation exists on a spectrum and is independent from gender identity. The two are often conflated in research studies.
Measuring sexual orientation separately from gender and sex provides more accurate representation of populations.
Sexual orientation is not included among NIH definitions of underrepresentation. Many training programs do not ask about sexual orientation, but research shows these populations face significant health disparities and discrimination.
Sexual Orientation
References
Diamant, A. L. (2000). Health Behaviors, Health Status, and Access to and Use of Health Care: A Population-Based Study of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Women. Archives of Family Medicine, 9(10), 1043–1051. https://doi.org/10.1001/archfami.9.10.1043
Katz-Wise, S. L., Reisner, S. L., Hughto, J. W., & Keo-Meier, C. L. (2015). Differences in Sexual Orientation Diversity and Sexual Fluidity in Attractions Among Gender Minority Adults in Massachusetts. The Journal of Sex Research, 53(1), 74–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2014.1003028\
Suen, L. W., et al., (2020). What Sexual and Gender Minority People Want Researchers to Know About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions: A Qualitative Study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49(7), 2301–2318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01810-y
TEDx Talks. (2017, December 19). LGBTQ+ and Polyamory in Animals: Yes, It’s Natural | Antonia Forster | TEDxBristol [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK6EwIoQl34