Wilhelm Cortez on a few ways we marginalize others, and the devastating impact this can have on individuals and societies.
“What people do and what they experience affects their mental health. Substance use and abuse, discrimination, marginalization and poverty are all factors that impact mental health and, in turn, can place people at risk for HIV infection.” –Jim Dilley, MD, Pamela Decarlo, How Does Mental Health Affect HIV Prevention?
When a portion of society is marginalized, that population, in order to satisfy the instinctual need to survive, must at times turn to the fringes of society. This usually is not a safe option due to crime, exploitation and the others forms of abuse that feed upon the fringes. Add to this the mental health issues that come along with marginalization, and the risk factor increases greatly.
Certain cultures and societies have been traditionally closed to other gender concepts. This inability to accept human gender diversity forces other gender concepts and individuals to the fringes of our society, as well as to the fringes of the social mind. When pushed to the fringe, many other aspects of an individual’s mental health can also be at risk. And these mental imbalances can lead to high risk behavior.
“Male-to-female transgender persons (MTFs) identify low self-esteem, depression, feelings of isolation, rejection and powerlessness as barriers to HIV risk reduction. For example, many MTFs state that they engage in unprotected sex because it validates their female gender identity and boosts their self-esteem.” –Jim Dilley, MD, Pamela Decarlo, How Does Mental Health Affect HIV Prevention?
The marginalized group might still reside in the physical society, but in the actual social interactions of the society the individual is cut out, self esteem plummets and high-risk behavior emerges.
Take a look at the CDC’s latest risk assessment for HIV infection, and you too might start seeing how a lack of social acceptance can become a death sentence.
See Also:
Homeless is a Major LGBT Issue
The Violence of Homelessness: A Young Male Survivor’s Story (trigger warning)
Follow The Good Men Project on Twitter
–Photo: photonadadoru/Flickr
Well, yeah, not all of us MTFs are marginalized, homeless, HIV-infected sex workers. That population certainly has more interaction with law enforcement and various aspects of the social safety net. It’s important to build awareness of these issues amongst transpeople, and also to note that there are plenty of us who are relatively well-adjusted folks who live for most intents and purposes as women and contribute to society in all kinds of ways. Of course, when I go to the doctor I believe it’s important to disclose my health history, which includes hormones, surgery, and all that. Last time I… Read more »