How social policies shape the health and well-being of sexual- and gender-minority youth: Pathways of influence, social side effects and implications for life course trajectories

Recent research has documented the harmful health consequences of structural-level stigma that targets sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. In the case of sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY), life trajectories are shaped not only by targeted, SGM-focused policies, but also by social policies more broadly which may have unique impacts on SGMY given their social position. However, little work has explored the pathways that connect both targeted and universal social policies and the health and well-being of SGMY. In this study, we conducted 68 qualitative interviews with SGMY in New York City (n = 30) and community stakeholders across the US (n = 38) and used the constant comparative method to identify the pathways through which social policies affect SGMY health and well-being. We propose three pathways that are shaped by specific inter-related social policies in ways that contribute to health inequities among SGMY: 1) access to social inclusion in educational settings; 2) housing-related regulations and subsequent (in)stability; and 3) access to material resources through labor market participation. We also highlight ways that SGMY, and organizations that support them, engage in agency and resistance to promote inclusion and wellbeing. Drawing on ecosocial theory, we demonstrate how policies work across multiple domains and levels to influence cycles of vulnerability and risk for SGMY. We close by discussing the implications of our findings for future research and policy.