Trends in psychosocial research on LGBTIQ+ populations in Latin America: Findings, challenges, and concerns

Abstract

Psychosocial research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) populations from Latin America is relatively recent. Initially, research focused mainly on prejudice, using qualitative techniques. Studies on LGBTIQ+ populations, using more sophisticated psychosocial theories such as those of Herek or Meyer, began in the mid‐1990s. This study deals with surveys and scales based on non‐probabilistic samples, LGBTIQ+ populations being the first studied. In the early 2000s, queer and/or LGBTIQ+ theories were introduced, and research has been much more interdisciplinary. This paper describes the theoretical frameworks used in LGBTIQ+ research in Latin America and examines distinctions in the findings from Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Future research must involve cross‐cultural studies, systematic or scoping reviews, and studies on non‐binary populations. Finally, the conditions for reimaging LGBTIQ+ research in Latin America are discussed.