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Cultural Differences and the Practice of Sexual Medicine pp 63–81Cite as

Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexuality from a Cross-Cultural Perspective

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Part of the book series: Trends in Andrology and Sexual Medicine ((TASM))

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons require cultural humility and informed health care from their healthcare providers. Providers need to understand the distinct differences and intersections of each sexual identity and be aware of the health disparities characteristic of this population. Providers should become knowledgeable of appropriate questions to ask regarding the patient’s sexual identity, relationships, and sexual behavior during the assessment stage, and should concurrently consider how their own understanding, biases, and stereotypes can affect and/or guide diagnosis and treatment. Although the past several decades have witnessed greater acceptance of LGB globally, and more so in Western cultures, providers need to continue to build knowledge and awareness regarding the needs and health disparities of the LGB community.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This gender-neutral terminology (they, them, their, etc.), although at odds with traditional grammatical convention, is preferred in the LBG literature to gender specific terms such as he, she, him, her, himself, herself, etc.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Kimberly Fuller

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  1. Kimberly Fuller
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Correspondence to Kimberly Fuller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN, USA

    David L. Rowland

  2. Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Emmanuele A. Jannini

Appendix: Tables

Appendix: Tables

Table 4.1 Sample questions to gather information about sexual orientation
Full size table
Table 4.2 Additional questions to ask adolescents
Full size table
Table 4.3 Sample questions about sexual activity
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Table 4.4 Sample questions about STI/HIV status
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Table 4.5 Sample questions to assess sexual dysfunction
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Fuller, K. (2020). Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexuality from a Cross-Cultural Perspective. In: Rowland, D., Jannini, E. (eds) Cultural Differences and the Practice of Sexual Medicine. Trends in Andrology and Sexual Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36222-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36222-5_4

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-36221-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-36222-5

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