2SLGBTQ Health Information and Resources

Two-Spirit/LGBTQI+ people have all the same health concerns as everyone else, but may also face disparities in care, discrimination, and obstacles to and stigma about getting treatment.

The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey: Report on the Experiences of American Indian and Alaska Native Respondents [PDF - 1.6 MB] Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  report outlines aspects of AI/AN respondents' identities and demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, geographic location, and educational attainment, to provide important context for their experiences.

The 2022 U.S. Trans Survey: Early Insights [PDF - 3.4 MB] Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – is the largest survey of trans people, by trans people, in the United States.

Transgender and Gender Diverse Persons Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – CDC LGBT Health pages

Fast Facts: HIV and Transgender People Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  - Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The National LGBT Cancer Action Plan: A White Paper of the 2014 National Summit on Cancer in the LGBT Communities Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – LGBT Health

Cancer Facts for Lesbians and Bisexual Women Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – The American Cancer Society

Cancer Facts for Gay and Bisexual Men Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – The American Cancer Society

Mental Health

Stigma and discrimination can increase the burden of mental health issues on Two-Spirit/LGBTQI+ people, who can suffer from the same conditions as everyone else, but have unique experiences and feelings that require appropriate treatment.

• The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  - National Academies
• Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Youth Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Find Support for LGBTQ Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

HIV

AI/AN gay, bisexual, and Two-Spirit males, especially those on reservations or in rural areas, may face culturally based stigma and confidentiality concerns that interfere in learning about HIV prevention and getting HIV testing. Cultural differences, beliefs, and practices may also be an obstacle, with more 200 different languages spoken across more than 500 federally recognized AI/AN tribe. Other barriers may include socioeconomic issues, substance use disorders, and mistrust of government health care and the government itself.

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