title: Sexuality-related work discrimination and its association with the health of sexual minority emerging and young adult men in the Detroit Metro Area.
abstract: Discrimination has been linked to negative health outcomes among minority populations. The increasing evidence regarding health disparities among sexual minorities has underscored the importance of addressing sexuality discrimination as a public health issue. We conducted a web-based survey between May and September of 2012 in order to obtain a diverse sample of young men who have sex with men (ages 18-29; N = 397; 83% gay; 49% Black, 27% White, 15% Latino) living in the Detroit Metro Area (Michigan, USA). Using multivariate regression models, we examined the association between overall health (self-rated health, days in prior month when their physical or mental health was not good, limited functionality) and experiences of sexuality-based work discrimination. Fifteen percent reported at least one experience of sexuality-based work discrimination in the prior year. Recent workplace discrimination was associated with poorer self-rated health, a greater number of days when health was not good, and more functional limitation. We discuss the importance of addressing sexuality-related discrimination as a public health problem and propose multilevel intervention strategies to address these discriminatory practices.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities, 300 North Ingalls - 9 Floor, Wing D. University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. United States.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bauermeister
authors.affiliation: The Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities, 300 North Ingalls - 9 Floor, Wing D. University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. United States.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meanley
authors.affiliation: The Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities, 300 North Ingalls - 9 Floor, Wing D. University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. United States.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hickok
authors.affiliation: The Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities, 300 North Ingalls - 9 Floor, Wing D. University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. United States.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pingel
authors.affiliation: AIDS Partnership Michigan, 2751 E. Jefferson Ave, Suite 301, Detroit, MI 48207. United States.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vanhemert
authors.affiliation: HIV/AIDS Resource Center, 3075 Clark Road, Suite 203, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. United States.
authors.forename: Jimena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loveluck
keywords: Employment; Job; LGBT; homophobia