Here's How Depression Affects Gay And Lesbian Couples

Your weekly LGBT wellness round-up.
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Depression Within Gay And Lesbian Couples

When at least one partner has depression relationship dynamics within couples differ between lesbians and gays, a new study found. While both gays and lesbians offer support to a partner with depression, only lesbian study participants offered support back when they were depressed.

Newest National LGB Smoking Data Released

The sexual minority analysis from the latest National Adult Tobacco Survey data was published this week. In it we see LGB people smoke at rates 58% higher than others. Cigarette smoking rates were highest among bi women (over 100% higher than others). Sexual minority women also used e-cig, hookah, and cigars at more than 3x the rate of other women. Sexual minority men e-cig and hookah rates were also higher than other men.

Depression and Meth Use Higher for Men with Childhood Trauma

A study of queer men in South Florida found that men who had been neglected or abused as children were more likely to be depressed and more likely to use meth as adults. The authors think that preventing the mistreatment of children is a way to prevent mental health and substance use later on.

Insights into Bisexuality Health Risks

Youth research is great because it often asks about ranges of identities. This is where we keep seeing news that “mostly heterosexual” is more harmful than straight, gay, or lesbian. In the latest news, a new study found that “mostly heterosexual” young adults have more mental health problems, suicidal thoughts, and substance and tobacco use than lesbians, or gays. Researchers think it could be caused by a higher level of internal negativity towards same-sex attraction.

Sticks and Stones

A new study found that right-wing authoritarianism predicts prejudice against gay and lesbians but unlike some earlier researchers had reported, it isn’t affected by whether the terms “homosexual” v. “gay and lesbian” are used. It looks like prejudice is prejudice, no matter what you call it.

The Times, they Are A Changin’

Good news for the LGBTQ community: a new study found that only 3-12% of college students thought it was okay to bully or abuse fellow LGBTQ students. In fact, overall, students found it less acceptable to hurt LGBTQ students than other students because it was seen as more harmful and unjust.

Also on HuffPost:

Queer North America Rideshare
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This group is designed to connect queer travelers to one another in hopes that we can build a solid network of LGBTQI-friendly rideshare opportunities throughout the US, Canada & Mexico. It currently has over over 6,900 members.
Transgender World
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With over 4,500 members, this group is for transgender people in general, trans-oriented individuals, their friends and people who love them. It's a place for these individuals to meet, to chat, to have fun with respect, to open up, to be heard, to gather, to find a date, soulmate or life partner or to simply connect with each other.
LGBT Real Talk Radio
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This group is a communication focal point for the lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community. With over 2,300 members at present, it's a safe and free environment that promotes unity among our community, education, awareness, and a common connection for all members.
LGBT Advocate
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This is a group set up as a safe forum for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and their allies. Organizers aim to make all people from the LGBT community and their allies to feel safe and welcome. It currently has over 12,900 members.
GLBT Writers and Readers
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GLBT Writers and Readers aim to offer support and encouragement for all GLBT writers, whether they are published or not, and for all GLBT readers. Here, the group's more than 8,600 members can ask and answer questions about writing, publishing, and reading as well as have general discussions.
Transgender Support
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This group, which currently has over 5,600 members, is intended as a safe space for members of the trans community and its supporters/allies.
Gay Professionals
Marko Djurica / Reuters
This group is intended to be a place where individuals can interact and discuss anything as related to a business or professional nature as well as true professional networking. Currently has over 14,400 members.
Parents Of Transgender Children
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This group, which currently has 2,700+ members, supports parents of transgender children, gender-variant children and any child about whom a parent is "gender" concerned. They help, advise, encourage and support each other. They also host an additional group, Allies of Transgender Children, for supportive family members and friends.
Lesbian TTC, Pregnancy and Parenting
Andrea Comas / Reuters
This is a private place where we can discuss the ups and downs of TTC (trying to conceive), pregnancy and everything in between from the lesbian perspective. The group, which currently has over 1,200 members, is closed. Only members can see posts.
LGBT CrossFitters
Andrea Comas / Reuters
Over 1,400 members have joined this page, which is for men and women who love CrossFit, and who happen to be members or allies of the LGBT community.
LGBT Pride Support
Guadalupe Pardo / Reuters
With over 6,000 members, this group was created for LGBT support, and for people to get things off their mind and make new friends.

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