previously reported, a number of health issues affecting queer people are what Halkitis called not an epidemic but a "syndemic." These include HIV infection; abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; methamphetamine use; and lack of access to health resources.
These disproportionately affect those who are often discriminated against within the LGBTQ community — Black people, Latinos, and transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals."With minority stress theory, it's not surprising that they engage in risky behaviors at even higher rates than other people," Halkitis said. "It's not like these guys want to engage in risk, be obese, or become a meth addict.