{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The relationship between anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and HIV prevention among sexual and gender minoritized youth.
{Author}: Kelly NK;Ranapurwala SI;Pence BW;Hightow-Weidman LB;Slaughter-Acey J;French AL;Hosek S;Pettifor AE;
{Journal}: AIDS
{Volume}: 38
{Issue}: 10
{Year}: 2024 Aug 1
{Factor}: 4.632
{DOI}: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000003926
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aim of this study was to estimate the longitudinal associations of state-level anti-LGBTQ+ policies and county-level politics with individual HIV prevention outcomes among sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) youth.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Keeping it LITE-1 prospectively enrolled 3330 SGM youth and young adults (ages 13-34) at increased risk of HIV throughout the United States from 2017 to 2022.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Semiannual surveys collected self-reported HIV prevention measures [current preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, weekly PrEP adherence, HIV/STI testing in the past 6 months]. Geolocation was linked with state-level LGBTQ+ policy data and county-level election data. Generalized linear models with GEE estimated the single and joint longitudinal associations for two exposures [state-level policy climate (more discriminatory vs. less discriminatory) and county-level political majority (Democratic/swing vs. Republican)] with each outcome.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Among participants living in a state with more discriminatory laws, those in a Democratic/swing county had a 6-percentage point increase in PrEP use (95% confidence interval: 0.02, 0.09) compared to those in a Republican county. Those living in a Republican county but a state with less discriminatory laws saw a similar increase (0.05; -0.02,0.11). Residing in both a Democratic/swing county and a state with less discriminatory laws, relative to a Republican county and a state with more discriminatory laws, was associated with a 10-percentage point increase in PrEP use (0.10; 0.06,0.14) and a 5-percentage point increase in HIV/STI testing (0.05; 0.00,0.09).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>More progressive state and local policies were each associated with increased PrEP use, and together, doubled the magnitude of this association. PrEP is underutilized among SGM youth, and anti-LGBTQ+ policies may exacerbate this gap in coverage.