The Cost of Homophobia: Literature Review on the Human Impact Ha of Homophobia In of Homophobia Canada 1 a Human Impact Submitted by: Christopher Banks, Rochon Associated Human Resource Management Consulting Inc. Submitted to: Gay and Lesbian Health Services, Saskatoon, SK May 2003 Additional copies of this document may be obtained from: Gay & Lesbian Health Services of Saskatoon Mailing Address: PO Box 8581 Saskatoon, SK S7K 6K7 Office Address: 203 – 220 – 3rd Avenue South Saskatoon, SK S7K 1M1 Telephone: 306.665.1224 Toll-free: 1.800.358.1833 Fax: 306.665.1280 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.glhs.ca Any questions or comments can be directed to GLHS or to the researcher: Christopher Banks (Rochon Associated Human Resource Management Consulting Inc.) Address: 109 – 15 Innovation Blvd. Saskatoon, SK S7N 2X8 Telephone: 306.664.3904 Fax: 306.665.6897 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.rochonassociated.com This research project was funded through the following agency: Community-University Institute for Social Research (Community Health Determinants and Health Care Policy Module) Address: John Mitchell Building Room 289 118 Science Place University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2 Telephone: 306.966.2121 Fax: 306.966.2122 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.usask.ca/cuisr TABLE OF CONTENTS (SUMMARY) 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS (SUMMARY) 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 LIST OF TABLES 6 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 6 NOTE ON STATISTICS 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 FOREWORD by Gens Hellquist 10 INTRODUCTION 11 HOMOPHOBIA 17 BASE RATE OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND BISEXUALITY 21 HEALTH AND SOCIAL ISSUES OF GAYS, LESBIANS AND BISEXUALS 40 SUMMARY OF HUMAN IMPACT ESTIMATES 41 LIMITATIONS 46 FURTHER RESEARCH NEEDED 47 METHODOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED 49 ENDNOTES 50 REFERENCES 67 APPENDIX: CALCULATIONS FOR HUMAN IMPACT ESTIMATES TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS (SUMMARY) ......................................................................................................... 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................... 2 LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................................. 5 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ....................................................................................... 6 NOTE ON STATISTICS .................................................................................................................................... 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 7 FOREWORD by Gens Hellquist ................................................................................................................. 8 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 10 Ha HOMOPHOBIA ................................................................................................................................................. 11 Definition ................................................................................................................................. 11 Effect of Homophobia on Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Individuals .................................. 13 Reasons for Negative Effects ................................................................................................. 13 Lack of Support and Helping Resources ...................................................................... 13 Internalized Homophobia ............................................................................................ 14 Self-concealment of Sexual Orientation ...................................................................... 14 of Homophobia Alteration of Behaviour ............................................................................................... 14 Coming Out Stress ...................................................................................................... 15 2 Coming Out and Risk Behaviours .............................................................................. 15 Confusion Related to Expressing Sexuality ................................................................ 15 a External Homophobia .................................................................................................. 15 Coping and Substance Abuse ...................................................................................... 15 Positive Responses ....................................................................................................... 15 Alternative Explanations for Increased Incidences of Health and Social Problems ...... 16 BASE RATE OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND BISEXUALITY ............................................................... 17 Human Impact HEALTH AND SOCIAL ISSUES OF HOMOSEXUALS AND BISEXUALS ................................. 21 Calculation of Human Cost Estimates ................................................................................. 22 Calculation of Rates .................................................................................................... 22 Estimation of Total Human Cost ................................................................................ 22 Number of GLB ........................................................................................................... 22 Number of Sufferers .................................................................................................... 22 Equivalency of Rates ................................................................................................... 23 Extra Sufferers ............................................................................................................ 23 Total Number of Deaths .............................................................................................. 23 Suicide ..................................................................................................................................... 23 General Population Statistics ...................................................................................... 23 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Statistics .......................................................................... 23 Human Impact ............................................................................................................ 27 Smoking ................................................................................................................................... 27 General Population Statistics ...................................................................................... 27 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Statistics .......................................................................... 27 Human Impact ............................................................................................................ 28 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED) HEALTH AND SOCIAL ISSUES OF HOMOSEXUALS AND BISEXUALS (CONTINUED) Alcohol Abuse ......................................................................................................................... 29 General Population Statistics ...................................................................................... 29 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Statistics .......................................................................... 29 Human Impact ............................................................................................................ 30 Illicit Drug Use ........................................................................................................................ 31 General Population Statistics ...................................................................................... 31 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Statistics .......................................................................... 31 Human Impact ............................................................................................................ 33 Depression ............................................................................................................................... 33 General Population Statistics ...................................................................................... 33 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Statistics .......................................................................... 33 Human Impact ............................................................................................................ 34 Unemployment ....................................................................................................................... 34 General Population Statistics ...................................................................................... 34 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Statistics .......................................................................... 34 Human Impact Human Impact ............................................................................................................ 35 Murder ..................................................................................................................................... 35 General Population Statistics ...................................................................................... 35 Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Statistics .......................................................................... 35 Human Impact ...........................................................................................................