PhD | Ph.D. in Anthropology

Experience in LGBT2SQ research

I was a member of a research group that studied MSM’s awareness of prostate health issues, including prostate cancer risk factors and treatment options. Our team published several chapters and articles about health in older LGBT2SQ people. This work was sited in the United States. I have conducted research in Canada on lesbian mothers’, both coupled and single, support networks.

Interest in LGBT2SQ research

Right now I am editing a special edition of Social Sciences focusing on aging and well-being among LGBTQIA2S+ older people.

Social Sciences | Special Issue : Research on LGBTQIA2S+ Aging and Well-Being

Published Work

• Descartes, L., Asencio, M., Blank, T. O., & Crawford, A. (2013). Gay men's knowledge of prostate cancer. In G. Perlman (Ed.), What every gay man needs to know about prostate cancer (pp. 17-38). New York: Magnus/Riverdale Avenue Books.
• Blank, T., Asencio, M., & Descartes, L. (2012). Issues in the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in couple and family therapy. In J. Bigner & J. Wetchler (Eds.), The Handbook of LGBT-Affirmative Couple and Family Therapy (pp. 299-312). New York: Routledge.
• Blank, T., Asencio, M., Descartes, L., and Griggs, J. (2010). Aging, health, and GLBTQ family and community life. Republished in C. A. Fruhauf & D. Mahoney (Eds.), Older GLBT family and community life: Contemporary experiences, realities and future directions (pp. 6-31). London: Routledge.
• Descartes, L. (2020). An exploratory study of single and coupled lesbian mothers’ experiences with social support. Canadian Journal of Family and Youth, 12, 269-287.