Gender and Sexual Health: Same-Sex Relationships

A transformation in legal and cultural attitudes toward same-sex relationships is under way nationwide. As same-sex marriage has become legal, the unique social and medicolegal issues faced by individuals in same-sex relationships are evolving rapidly. National organizations have published recommendations for making clinical environments more inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals and their families. Medical issues for patients in same-sex relationships include a higher risk of HIV infection for men who have sex with men (a majority of new cases of HIV infection occur within relationships), higher rates of obesity among women who have sex with women, and disproportionately high rates of mental health issues and alcohol and drug use. Screening and prevention strategies for reducing these risks include cancer and infectious disease screening, immunization for human papillomavirus, and preexposure prophylaxis for HIV. More LGBQ individuals are becoming parents. Clinicians can assist patients in this process by being aware of local resources for adoption, assisted reproductive techniques, and parenting.