Experiences of LGBT homeless and Relationships with Health Care in Florianopolis, SC

Abstract

Gender identities have an impact on the lives of homeless, and are an important reason for breaking the family bond and going to the streets, in the case of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals (LGBT). LGBT homeless have their relationship with the health service compromised and have the worst health indicators among the homeless. The objective of this study was to understand the implications of gender identities in social relations and health of LGBT homeless in Florianópolis/SC. It is a qualitative research carried out between November 2017 and February 2018, with LGBT homeless in downtown of Florianópolis/SC. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. The main reasons for going to the street were family conflicts and personal choice. The street was presented as a space of intense discrimination against LGBT with intersectional aspects related to race, enlivened by some strategies of 'shifting focus' and health need. Due to discriminatory experiences with health professionals, health care is done by the homeless and LGBT homeless.