Between silence and listening

Care narratives of health workers for lesbian and bisexual women in Manaus, AM, Brazil

Bibliographic Data

ID24032192
AuthorsCamila Freire Albuquerque (0000-0003-3159-9856, Universidade Federal do Amazonas), Maria Eduarda Delduque Pereira (0009-0008-0503-7642, Universidade Federal do Amazonas), Munique Therense (0000-0002-5433-9267, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas), Adriane Das Neves Silva (0000-0001-5383-2618, Universidade Federal Fluminense), Breno De Oliveira Ferreira (0000-0002-0979-3911, Universidade Federal do Amazonas)
Year2026
Volume31
Issue8
Publication date2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCiência & Saúde Coletiva (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1413-8123 • E-ISSN: 1678-4561
PublisherFapUNIFESP (SciELO) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1590/1413-81232026318.06852026en
OpenAlexW7203599210
SCIELO_PIDS1413-81232026000801804
LanguageEN
References cited10

Due to the persistence of inequalities and prejudices that permeate the experiences of lesbian and bisexual women, especially in the field of health, this study analyzed narratives of workers from a Family Health Unit about the care provided to these groups. This qualitative research was grounded in bisexual frameworks and lesbian-feminist epistemologies. Participant observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 health workers. The narrative analysis allowed for the construction of two core meanings based on (1) perceptions of health needs and demands and (2) technical, ethical, and moral challenges in providing care to these women. It is concluded that the realization of equitable care depends on confronting the heteronormativity that structures institutions and training practices, expanding critical training, and recognizing these workers as protagonists in the transformation of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).

Grounded theory · Health care · Heteronormativity · Lesbian · Narrative · Narrative inquiry · Qualitative research · Silence · Health, Nursing, Elderly Care · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Male Reproductive Health Studies

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