Understanding the Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Populations Public Policy and Structural Stigma

Course overview

This course is based upon material published by the National Academies Press and is available as an open-access article. This course first provides an overview of three aspects of public life that affect social and gender diverse (SGD) populations: public policy, social movements, and changing public opinion. It then turns to the emerging literature on how structural factors law, public policy, and public attitudes influence the well-being of SGD populations, including economic outcomes, experiences of victimization and violence, and mental and physical health. Collectively, this research falls under the umbrella of what researchers call structural stigma, which is defined as societal-level conditions, cultural norms, and institutional policies that constrain the opportunities, resources, and well-being of the stigmatized (Hatzenbuehler and Link, 2014, p. 2). This course on public policy and structural stigma in the context of SGD individuals is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning and intermediate level practitioners who wish to increase their knowledge of SGD public policy concerns. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. Authors: National Academies of Sciences Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding public policy and structural stigma affecting SGD people. Specifically, a professional will: Identify policy advocacy groups important in historically changing public policies targeting SGD populations Explain the strategies that have been used to change public opinion to be more favorable to SGD populations Summarize the emerging literature on structural stigma and the well-being of SGD populations Citation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2020. Understanding the Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Populations. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25877.