Sensitivity to Diversity in Human
Sexuality Across the Lifespan
Presenters: Aaron Huynh & Kent Lee
Objectives
●
Describe and explain sexuality differences and how to combat health disparities in the hospital setting and real world while
providing competent and respectful Nursing care.
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Identify and explain expected sexual orientation identifications I.E. heterosexual, homosexual, transexual, asexual, bisexual,
pansexual
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Explain about sexual minorities and their increased prevalence of STIs amongst the adult population. Nursing interventions on
how to communicate and deal with sensitivity to human sexuality.
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Equality Act passed on May 17, 2019
● A few States are protected but not all 50 States
○
Protected States include: CA. NY, OR, WA, and MA
● Unprotected States → more prone to
discrimination
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Progress seen in regards to equality but
discrimination amongst sexual minorities is
still prevalent
○
More progress to be made
● Mental health could be affected d/t
discrimination
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
Relation to Nursing
● Higher probability nowadays for Nurses
to take care of sexual minority
● Nurses as well as interpersonal
discrimination could add extra stress to
patient
○
I.E. Misgendering, judgement, assumption
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Although there are Nurses who
respect LGBTQ
● LGBTQ individuals → still prone to
experiencing discrimination via
nurses and medical professionals
○
Unwanted
■ Nurses duty to provide comfort
and respectful measures for sexual
minorities
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Nursing Interventions to combat inequality
○
Open-Mindedness
■ Understand the LGBTQ Community
■ Know expected complications
■ Positive attitude
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Nursing interventions to combat inequality
○
Active Listening
■ Simple but can go a long way
■ Prevents stress
■ Validation
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Nursing interventions to combat inequality
○
Nonjudgement
■ Do not judge people who their decisions and for who they are
■ Do not assume:
● Views, sexual orientation, pronouns, identity
■ No derogatory terms
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Nursing interventions to combat inequality
○
○
Accounting for cultural, religion, political, and social
differences
Approach open-mindedly
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Nursing interventions to combat
inequality
○
Translator
■ Do not prolong interaction if client
speaks another language
● Adds stress to patient
■ Having a translator present will
act as communication source
between Nurse and patient
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Nursing interventions to combat inequality
○
Advocacy
■ Support
■ Raise Awareness
Sexual minorities and Discrimination
● Nursing interventions to combat inequality
○
Interpersonal Collaboration
■ Identify issues with colleagues
■ Making changes as needed
Discussion Question #1
What are some Nursing interventions that could be executed to minimize and combat
disparities amongst the LGBTQ community?
Sexual Orientation
Sexual Orientation Cont.
●
Heterosexual
○
○
“Straight”
Attracted to the opposite gender
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Gay:
○
○
○
also known as homosexual
Man attracted to man
Woman attracted to woman
● Lesbian: woman attracted to woman
● Queer:
○
○
umbrella term
Political standpoint
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Bisexual
○ Individuals attracted to the opposite gender as well as the same sex
○ Complex identification
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Polysexual
○
○
attracted to multiple gender and identities
Not attracted to those who identify as nonbinary
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Pansexual:
○
attraction regardless of sex or identity
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Transexual
○
○
○
individuals who identify as a gender than that of their biological gender at birth
May undergo surgery
Hormone therapy
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Asexual
○ no signs of sexual attraction
or lack of sexual desire
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Intersex:
○
biologically born with features that do
not correlate with either male or female
genitalia
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Two-Spirit
○
○
derived from Native North Americans
Exhibit traits of femininity and
masculinity
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Demi-sexual - sexual attraction after
building an emotional bond
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Relation to Nursing
○
Support and Promote Diversity
■ All patients do not deserve to be
belittled and discriminated upon
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Relation to Nursing
○
Awareness
■ Will combat health disparities
within the world and healthcare
settings
Sexual Orientation Cont.
● Relation to Nursing
○
Accurate assessments and care
■ The nurse understanding the
patient’s views and identification
can aid in accurate care I.E. STIs
could affect different genders in
various ways→ therefore, the
nurse understanding this could
greatly benefit the quality of care.
STDs/STIs
●
●
●
●
●
●
Sexually transmitted diseases/sexual transmitted infections
Transmission
Symptoms
Diagnostic examinations
Treatments
Preventions
Who is more likely to get an STI?
● Risk factors
● Most common STIs
Chlamydia
● Can affect both men and
women
● Can affect a woman’s
reproductive system
● Transmission
● Risk Factors
● S/S
● Treatment
Sexual Minorities and STIs
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
WSW - Women who have sex with women
WSMW - Women who have sex with men and women
MSM - Men who have sex with men
MSMW - Men who have sex with men and women
Sexual orientation is multidimensional
Males & Females
STI Risk factors
YBMSM and HIV
● YBMSM - Young black men who sleep with men
● Lower income, education, and unemployment
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
●
●
●
●
What is it?
Where did it come from?
Symptoms
Stages
Discussion Question #2
Besides the use of contraceptives, what are other
measures that could be taken to prevent the
transmission of STDs?
NCLEX Question 1
A nurse is caring for a 15-year-old who in the past 6 months has had multiple male and female
sexual partners. The nurse knows that the therapeutic statement that would be most effective is
a. "I know you feel invincible, but STIs and unwanted pregnancy are a real risk. Let's discuss what
you think is the best method for protecting yourself."
b. "Having sexual interaction with both males and females places you at higher risk for STIs. To
protect yourself you need to decide which orientation you are."
c. "Your current friends are leading you to make poor choices. You should find new friends to hang
out with."
d. "I think it's best to notify your parents. They know what's best for you and can help make sure
you practice safe sex."
Question 1 Rationale
ANS: A
Most young adults feel invincible, and for this reason they participate in
risky behaviors. The nurse should acknowledge this feeling
to the patient and offer education and alternatives, while giving the patient
the autonomy to make his own decisions. The nurse
should not force the patient to make a choice of orientation and should not
pass judgment on a patient's sexual orientation or social
network; this would make the patient feel defensive and would eliminate
the trust in the relationship. Involving parents is not the
first line of action; parents should be notified only if the child is in a life or
death situation.
NCLEX Question 2
An 18-year-old male patient informs the nurse that he isn't sure if he is
homosexual because he is attracted to both genders.
The nurse establishes a trusting relationship with the patient by saying
a. "Don't worry. It's just a phase you will grow out of."
b. "Those are abnormal impulses. You should seek therapy."
c. "At your age, it is normal to be curious about both genders."
d. "Having questions about sexuality is normal. Have you noticed any
changes in the way this makes you feel about yourself?"
Question 2 Rationale
ANS: C
Young adults have questions about sexuality. The patient will feel
most comfortable discussing his sexual concerns further if the nurse
establishes that it is normal to ask questions about sexuality. The
nurse can then discuss in greater detail. Although it is normal for
young adults to be curious about sexuality, the nurse should use
caution in giving advice on taking sexual action. The nurse should
promote safe sex practices. Telling the patient not to worry dismisses
his concern. Telling the patient that he is abnormal might offend the
patient and prevent him from establishing an open relationship.
References
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National Library of Medicine. (2023, March 13). Chlamydia infections. Medlineplus. https://medlineplus.gov/chlamydiainfections.html
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