Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Americans at Risk

Book excerpt: Three volumes organized by the three phases of life—youth, middle age, and old age—explore the LGBTQ+ experience, delving deeply into research on a multitude of hot topics including risks experienced by this sometimes targeted population. In June of 2015, the United State Supreme Court issued an opinion that directly impacted the lives of many LGBT Americans: in Obergefell v. Hodges, the court required all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. While many activists consider this a major achievement, LGBT individuals still face a number of pressing issues. In Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Americans at Risk, editor Chuck Stewart and a carefully selected group of contributors unravel these far-reaching concerns. The book is a cutting-edge resource for academics, activists, scholars, students, and lay people who are interested in examining LGBT social and political movements as well as the public policy progress and setbacks of recent years. Three volumes of essays by experts in a variety of fields delve deeply into primary sources to tackle important topics such as transgender adolescents, alcohol and drug abuse, and the massacre at Pulse gay nightclub, along with dozens of others. Organized by life stages, this comprehensive work sheds light on concerns and controversies affecting youth, adults, and seniors connected to the LGBT community