Episode 463: Stress, Connection, And LGBTQ Health
January 2, 2026 by Justin Lehmiller
A lot has changed very quickly lately, and nowhere is this more evident than in LGBTQ+ health. In just a short period of time, we’ve seen shifts in research funding, data collection, public health infrastructure, and the broader social climate, all of which have real, measurable consequences for people’s mental, physical, and sexual well-being.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by two experts who study how stress, stigma, and uncertainty affect LGBTQ+ people, and what these rapid changes mean for health and resilience right now.
I am joined today by Dr. Lisa Diamond and Dr. Scout. Dr. Diamond is Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies at the University of Utah who is well-known for her pioneering research on sexual fluidity. Dr. Scout is the Executive Director of the National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network and a sought after advisor on LGBTQ+ health issues.
Some of the specific topics we discuss include:
- What are the key changes that have happened around LGBTQ+ health and research?
- What do these changes mean for the broader community?
- How does social connection help buffer against stress?
- How can LGBTQ+ people, their families, and the professionals who work with them support each other right now?
To take part in the OUT Community survey led by Dr. Diamond and Dr. Scout, visit bit.ly/OUTCommunitySurvey
Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology.
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Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest. Holiday photo by Arthur Brognoli on Unsplash.
Dr. Justin Lehmiller
Founder & Owner of Sex and PsychologyDr. Justin Lehmiller is a social psychologist and Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute. He runs the Sex and Psychology blog and podcast and is author of the popular book Tell Me What You Want. Dr. Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, and a prolific researcher who has published more than 50 academic works.
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