Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to discuss issues pertaining to LGBT Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elderly in the USA. Attention is also given to the citizenship status of foreign-born Asian-Americans. Information is presented on cultural characteristics and values of Asian culture, acknowledging that there is great heterogenerity among AAPIs. Discussion focuses on attitudes and perceptions of Asian Americans’ perspectives about LGBT persons, characteristics, and issues pertinent to Asian American LGBT elders, health status and service delivery for LGBT Asian-American elders, and current health policy and practices. Whenever possible, specific reference is made to certain subgroups of persons of Asian descent.
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Appendices
Learning Exercises
Self-Check Questions
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1.
What is the general perception of AAPI cultures toward LGBT persons?
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2.
What is meant by the stereotype of Asian Americans being seen as the model minority?
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3.
Who are the largest Asian American single-race subgroups?
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4.
What are some of the often unseen challenges in Asian American communities such as Chinatowns, Manilatowns, and Japantowns?
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5.
Were the majority of older Asian Americans born inside or outside of the USA?
Field-Based Experiential Assignments
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1.
Conduct a survey of healthcare service providers or social service provider to determine their knowledge level about working with AAPI LGBT elders.
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2.
Interview an AAPI LGBT elder to understand issues and concerns they had about “coming out” and how they addressed them.
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3.
The religious view of many AAPI groups is that alternative sexuality is wrong and sinful. Develop a presentation to address their view. Be sure to include cultural concerns.
Multiple-Choice Questions
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1.
Which of the following Asian American cultural values creates a bias against change?
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a.
Cooperation
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b.
Harmony
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c.
Education
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d.
Benevolence
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a.
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2.
Which of the following means respect for parents?
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a.
Ohana
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b.
Uncomplaining
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c.
Filial piety
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d.
Emotional centeredness
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a.
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3.
Which of the following is a concern of AAPI parents whose child is gay?
-
a.
Being labeled as ineffective parents
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b.
Ridicule from relatives and close friends
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c.
Self-blame
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d.
All of the above
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e.
None of the above
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a.
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4.
Which of the following terms is used to define transgender, intersex, and third gender Asian Indians?
-
a.
Hijra
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b.
Kuelna
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c.
Laulima
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d.
Lokahi
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a.
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5.
LGBT AAPI adults live in geographic locations with higher proportions of which type of populations?
-
a.
LGBT persons
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b.
AAPI persons
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c.
Diverse persons
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d.
No data are available
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a.
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6.
What is the integration of their ethnicity and their nationality known as for AAPI LGBT persons?
-
a.
Coming out
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b.
Assimilation
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c.
Coming home
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d.
Acculturation
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a.
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7.
What is the origin of many health disparities for both LGBT and non-LGBT AAPI persons?
-
a.
Hepatitis B
-
b.
Mental distress
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c.
Cultural historical trauma
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d.
Language barriers
-
a.
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8.
Which of the following acculturation-related consequence has become more accepting for Asian American families for the elderly?
-
a.
Utilization of mental health services
-
b.
Use of substances
-
c.
Public assistance
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d.
Institutionalization
-
a.
-
9.
Which type of health questions do Samoans find distasteful and they may not answer directly?
-
a.
Sexual relations
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b.
Mental health
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c.
Elder mistreatment
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d.
Healing practices
-
a.
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10.
Which of the following AAPI groups experience the most devastating levels of discrimination?
-
a.
Lesbians
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b.
Gay men
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c.
Bisexuals
-
d.
Transgender
-
a.
Key
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1.
b
-
2.
c
-
3.
d
-
4.
a
-
5.
b
-
6.
c
-
7.
c
-
8.
d
-
9.
a
-
10.
d
Resources
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Asian Pacific American Legal Center: www.gleh.org
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Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council: www.asianpacificpolicyplanningcouncil.org
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Asian and Pacific Islander Queers United for Action: www.aquadc.org
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Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center: www.apiwellness.org
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Asian Pacific Islander Resource Kit: www.glaad.org
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Gay Asian Pacific Alliance: www.gapa.org
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Gay Asian Pacific Support Network: www.gapsn.org
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National Asian Pacific Center on Aging: www.napca.org
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National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance: www.noapia.org
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Pacific Center for Human Growth: www.pacificcenter.org
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Southeast Asia Resource Action Center: www.searac.org
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Harley, D.A. (2016). Asian American and Native Pacific Islander LGBT Elders. In: Harley, D., Teaster, P. (eds) Handbook of LGBT Elders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03623-6_8
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