Mental and sexual health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Differences between lesbian and bisexual women and gay and bisexual men in Mexico

Abstract

COVID-19 had implications for sexual minorities who faced challenges due to situations related to their sexual orientation. The objective of this article was to analyze the differences in sexual and mental health experiences between lesbian and bisexual women (LBW) and gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Mexico in the context of the pandemic. An online survey captured the mental and sexual health experiences of a total of 932 participants consisting of 720 GBM and 212 LBW with a mean age of 30.5 years. Regarding mental health, women reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and a greater possibility of suicidal ideation. Regarding sexual health, men were more likely to use drugs during sexual intercourse, have problems getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STI), and have had STI during the lockdown. These findings identify particularities that each group faced, which can inform recommendations for public policies addressing specific sexual and mental health problems during and after the current pandemic.

Keywords:

• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Lesbian
• Gay
• Bisexual
• COVID-19

Acknowledgments

We thank Ashley Brooks for his review and comments on this article.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding

This study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada through a Partnership Grant [SSHRC#895-2018-1000].