Advancing Inclusive Sexual Health: Education and Empowerment for LGBTQIA+ and Minority Communities

Sexual health is a fundamental human right and a key component of well-being. However, LGBTQIA+ groups and other minority populations often face significant disparities in sexual health outcomes. These inequalities arise from a complex interplay of social stigma, discrimination, healthcare provider bias, legal barriers, insufficient research representation, and the lack of culturally competent education and services.

As societies evolve, public health education must respond dynamically to the unique and intersectional needs of these diverse communities. Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, migration background, disability, and age may compound the challenges faced in accessing comprehensive sexual health care and information, leading to greater health inequities within and across minority populations.

The goal of this Research Topic is to gather and highlight cutting-edge, contextualized research on sexual health issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities, with a focus on both persistent inequities and emerging solutions. It aims to foster scientific dialogue, promote frameworks that integrate diversity, intersectionality, and social determinants of health, and support the development and implementation of inclusive public health education.



Areas of Focus include, but are not limited to:

• Inclusive and affirming sexual health education: Development, implementation, and evaluation of curricula that reflect the needs of diverse minorities and combat heteronormativity and cisnormativity.

• Barriers and facilitators to sexual health services: Understanding access issues, health system navigation, and the impact of provider attitudes for minority populations in various settings.

• Intersectionality and sexual health: How overlapping identities (race, ethnicity, disability, migration, age, socioeconomic status) shape sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

• Legal, policy, and human rights frameworks: Analysis of legislation, policy initiatives, and advocacy efforts supporting or impeding sexual health for marginalized groups.

• Mental health and its interplay with sexual well-being: The psychosocial impact of discrimination, minority stress, and resilience factors.

• Innovative health promotion approaches: The use of digital platforms, social marketing, peer-led initiatives, and community-based participatory strategies.

• Provider education and cultural humility: Training frameworks and continuing education for building competency in delivering sensitive, inclusive care.

• Experiences of polyamorous, non-monogamous, and other relational minorities: Understanding unique sexual health needs and challenges outside traditional relationship models.

• Combatting stigma, misinformation, and health disinformation: Approaches to challenging stereotypes and improving knowledge within communities and the broader public.

• Resource co-creation and empowerment: Tools, interventions, and information developed with and for minority communities.

This platform welcomes contributions from researchers, practitioners, and activists committed to advancing sexual health equity for LGBTQIA+ and marginalized populations through evidence-based, community-driven strategies.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: sexual health, LGBTQIA+, health disparities, inclusive education

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.