This pride month, let’s talk about LGBT reproductive rights and activism.
Did you know that lesbian and bisexual women are 2.85 times more likely to suffer from stillbirth [x] than their straight peers? They are also more likely to suffer from miscarriage and poor infant outcomes like preterm birth and low birth weight.
The thought behind this is the high rates of both medicalized and social discrimination that lesbian and bi women face in general and during their pregnancies. This results in chronic stress, which can be associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes. This is a concept known as “weathering”; where minority groups (especially people of color) face higher rates of negative health outcomes due to the effects of stress and discrimination.
This can also be implied to extend to trans/non-binary people who are trying to conceive and experiencing pregnancy. In a small study of trans men, transmasc and non-binary folks, 31.2% were found to have experienced a form of pregnancy loss - higher than the average 25% of the general population.
It’s important for us to talk this when it comes to Pride, because part of our pride is in the next generation. We cannot have pride while our siblings face health disparities and reproductive hurdles, all while experiencing the trauma of losing a child.