Guest Author - Claudia Cuellar
Many of us find it difficult to speak honestly to our doctor and often remain quiet and shy in the examination room. We can feel anxious and are often intimidated by healthcare providers. In reality, most people's anxieties usually dissipate once they get to know their doctor. They find they can trust their healthcare provider to give them honest and thorough service whenever needed.
But what if you found you couldn't trust your provider to give you honest care? What if your sexual orientation or gender identity was the main reason?
If you are part of the LGBT community, you may know how easy it is to find yourself within this predicament. Having to manage health issues, attempting to prevent illness and maintaining your sexual health is not easy. You should not have to be burdened with a healthcare professional who is not queer friendly on top of it.
Why is it important to have an LGBT friendly doctor?
Everyone within the community deserves trustworthy and quality healthcare from professionals who are understanding and affirmative. Though your provider doesn't have to identify themselves within the community they should be an ally and have the ability to provide discriminatory free care.
It is important to have a queer friendly doctor who will be considerate of all aspects of your well being, including your sexual health. They should be able to provide the proper information, testing and referrals that cater to your specific needs without discrimination.
Having an LGBT friendly doctor gives you the ability to develop what every patient should have with their healthcare providers; a trusting relationship. Having an open pathway of communication is the first step in quality care and no patient should be left without it.
How do you find LGBT friendly doctors?
There are several ways in which you can find the right LGBT friendly provider. A combination of the following should result in a quality LGBT friendly practitioner you can trust:
1. Speak to friends, coworkers or any associates you know are LGBT.
They may be able to refer you to a practitioner they have seen or are still with. This may be one of the easiest ways to find a local healthcare professional you can trust.
2. Contact your local LGBT center, clinic or organization.
Most centers, clinics and organizations will have a directory that can point you to LGBT friendly healthcare providers. If you don't know or don't have a local clinic, center or organization, calling the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline can point you in the direction of one: 1-888-843-4564
3. Make use of online directories.
There are several online directories by well known and trusted organizations dedicated to linking providers with LGBT patients.
Gay Lesbian Medical Association at http://www.glma.org
They provide a searchable directory of LGBT friendly doctors, a list of questions to ask your provider and Trans specific health resources. If you cannot locate any LGBT friendly doctors near you, contact them directly.
Association for Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling
at http://www.algbtic.org
They provide the LGBT community with a searchable therapist listing.
Association of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Addiction Professionals and Their Allies
at http://www.nalgap.org
They can provide you with general information and can help you find the right professional. Contact them through their email page for more information.
4. Ask Questions!
Lastly, once you have located a provider don't be afraid to visit them directly. Ask them of their experience with LGBT patients. Two important questions you may want to ask are:
Are you trained in LGBT health issues?
Do you have many LGBT patients?
Are your staff trained in LGBT health issues?
Don't forget to look around the office for pamphlets or posters dealing with LGBT health concerns. This is a sure fire way to confirm that your provider is indeed LGBT friendly.
