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PFLAG Resource Gives Providers Inclusion Strategies for LGBT Patients

While affordable healthcare continues to be a major national issue, this is only one of the challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people when it comes to their medical care. Too often, providers’ lack the basic cultural competency on LGBT issues, rely on misinformation or simply do not have access to simple and effective resources, creating barriers to adequate healthcare access for their LGBT patients. The release of Straight for Equality in Healthcare aims to change this trend.

“For many healthcare providers, it isn’t a case of not wanting to be inclusive of LGBT patients, but rather a sense that it isn’t an issue—or, when it is, confusion around how to talk about it—that gets in the way,” says Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays National (PFLAG).

“Making the case for inclusive and competent healthcare for LGBT patients is critical and by providing simple and accessible information to healthcare professionals, we can transform the experiences of LGBT people in the healthcare system,” says Huckaby.  “This guide will create more effective relationships between straight healthcare providers and their LGBT patients and can radically improve healthcare for our community.”

The new guide was created with the assistance of a diverse committee if healthcare professionals in fields such as primary care, mental health, nursing, and allied health disciplines. Topics include:

• Why should I care about gay people in my practice?: The case for inclusion.
• Making a diagnosis: Understanding and identifying personal barriers around LGBT issues and specific steps on how to overcome them.
• Lidocane for your nerves: Being supportive need not be nerve-wracking. Simple, nonpolitical ways to start signaling acceptance of LGBT people in your practice are outlined.
• Resources: Basic terminology, sample inclusive intake forms, nondiscrimination policies, and connections to other resources.

The new publication is featured on the Straight for Equality in Healthcare website, www.straightforequality.org/healthcare.

— Source: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays