Understanding The Vulnerability of Same-Sex Couples
LBGTQI+ individuals are already at an increased risk of development of serious health conditions including complex cardiovascular issues and certain cancers (Braybrook et al., 2025). The stress that these individuals receive from stigma and discrimination of being within the group cause engagement of health-risk behaviours (e.g. tobacco smoking) and influence development of these conditions (Braybrook et al., 2025). Homosexual individuals often experience chronic minority stress through ancedents of lower socio-economic place, poor social supports, and overall discrimination of systems towards this group of individuals Sherriff, 2025).
Lesbian women in maternity contexts have described how interactions with the healthcare professionals of the maternity system often lead to feelings of awkwardness, and often lead them to feel ashamed and conceal their sexual identity at the very real risk of being discriminated against (Spidsberg, 2007).
Combination of social, systematic, and economic inequities places same-sex couples at a higher vulnerability during the perinatal period. This is due to the group already facing many negative situations/events due to their lives from multiple different aspects meaning they already start their pregnancy journeys at a significant disadvantage.
Note. From Pregnancy and LGBTIQA+ Parents [Photograph], by COPEb, 2026 (https://www.cope.org.au/pregnancy/pregnant/pregnancy-and-lgbtiqa--parents)
What Causes This Vulnerability?
Social Determinants
Social Determinants of health are a vital part of being well. Frederiksen et al. (2024) details five major social determinants of health being a stable economy, access to adequate education, engaging environments, and community support/social inclusion. Sexual minorities are often marginalised and socially excluded from social support and face poor health outcomes from this influence (Fredriksen et al., 2024). This causes an increase in stress, lack of social supports, and increased engagement of health-risk behaviours (Braybrook et al., 2025; COPE, 2026a; Fredriksen et al., 2024). couples.
Ancedents
Discrimination from from family, friends, and even healthcare professionals using bias for heterosexual norms and preconceived homosexual beliefs often cause major anxiety, fear, and embarrassment for individuals to interact with society and consequently health care systems (Sherriff, 2025). This fear of judgment places a precursor to seeking care from the public health system.
System Influences
Healthcare systems can often be set in historical mindsets when it comes to same-sex couples. Healthcare providers often do not have much experience and education with same-sex couples entering maternity settings, causing unintended awkwardness, embarrassment, and lack of inclusive programs for same-sex couples (Sherriff, 2025; Braybrook et al., 2025; Sherriff, 2025; Engstrom et al., 2021).