Globalization, Structural Violence, and LGBT Health: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Trans-Migrations: Border-Crossing and the Politics of Body Modification Among Puerto Rican Transgender Women

“…For example, access to formal work is often entirely obstructed for transgender women, as employers refuse to hire transgender individuals due to hiring policies requiring normatively gendered bodies or because of a deep fear of backlash from coworkers, supervisors, or the public. This contributes to the high observed rates of participation in informal sex work among transgender women, which has been documented in a number of studies cross-culturally (Kulick, 1998; Padilla, Vásquez del Aguila, & Parker, 2007; Prieur, 1998). Similar processes of exclusion and discrimination occur in multiple domains of life, including access to health and social services, education, social support, and housing.…”

“…In strongly Judeo-Christian settings such as Puerto Rico, notions of “sin” and “perversion” that are often associated with non-normative gender and sexuality further inform assessments of transgender persons, leading to the inability to view these individuals in their full humanity. These processes contribute to the incredibly high rates of anti-transgender violence and hate crimes that have been identified across a wide range of societies (Padilla, Vásquez del Aguila, & Parker, 2007). These patterns of anti-transgender violence have been dramatically evidenced in Puerto Rico, where there has been international attention to the assassinations of transgender women, totaling dozens of hate-related killings in recent years (Miami Herald, 2011).…”

Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual human rights as a global health issue

“…Padilla, del Aguila, and Parker (), Lewis (), and Lick, Durso, and Johnson () have undertaken cross‐national research on LGB health disparities. Padilla et al () offer a qualitative meta‐analysis on the existing literature, suggesting that a nation's economic position and national culture intersect to explain LGB health inequalities. For example, they find evidence that in less‐affluent Latin American countries, a lack of financial resources for HIV prevention initiatives combined with taboos around having an “out” LGB identity makes health intervention targeting LGB people difficult and costly to implement.…”

“…Despite this, research on LGB health finds evidence of higher rates of disease for LGB people in comparison with heterosexuals across several nation-states. Padilla, del Aguila, and Parker (2007), Lewis (2009), and Lick, Durso, and Johnson (2013) have undertaken cross-national research on LGB health disparities. Padilla et al (2007) offer a qualitative meta-analysis on the existing literature, suggesting that a nation's economic position and national culture intersect to explain LGB health inequalities.…”

Intersections and evolution of ‘Butch-trans’ categories in Puerto Rico: Needs and barriers of an invisible population

“…In PR, the population of trans men has remained largely hidden within the lesbian community, which has itself been described in Latin America as ‘invisible’ (Padilla, Vásques del Aguila, & Parker, 2007). Given the lack of information and resources, trans men and buchas have found social support in a community that shares some of their struggles but does not represent their particular realities or needs (Rodríguez, Ramos, & González, 2012).…”