One of the best things about Pride Month is that everyone is welcome to join the parade. Whether you’re marching in the band, supporting those you love, or learning more about how our unique identities bring us together, it’s an opportunity to celebrate, connect, reflect, grow, and set some intentions for our community.
As healthcare professionals from the LGBTQ+ community, we understand the importance of creating inclusive, affirming environments where everyone feels welcome. In fact, this message is displayed prominently in many of the County buildings and clinics where we work: “All Are Welcome.” It’s written in many different languages and sometimes has a rainbow heart. We strive to ensure that our clients feel respected and that they’re getting the healthcare services they need, whether it’s physical health, mental health, dental care, medication, or referrals to other services.
Why this matters: As queer people in the field, we also know what it's like to be dismissed, denied services, and shamed while seeking healthcare. Unfortunately, these experiences are still all too common. They range from unintentional mistakes, like forgetting to use a person’s correct pronouns, to outright discrimination, refusal to provide care, or even violence. And for LGBTQ+ people – who are already at higher risk for physical and mental health problems – one bad experience or repeated microaggressions at a medical office can lead to a lifetime of distrust of medical providers and health care teams. It can lead to someone delaying care when it’s needed, or not seeking it at all. This cycle of mistreatment and mistrust can be serious or deadly for an individual, and further entrenches existing health disparities for our community.
Since our designation as a community health center in 1977, the Health Center has risen to meet the needs of this population, and is seen in the region as a leader in the care of underserved clients. In 2020, the Health Center served nearly 3,000 patients who identified as LGBTQ+. We offer care that includes:
- Knowing and using patients’ correct pronouns during the entire healthcare experience – on the phone, at check-in, during the visit, and online
- Training providers and clinical staff on trauma-informed and gender-affirming care
- Encouraging routine mental health screenings
- Offering gender affirming care, including hormone therapy
- Referring clients to providers in the region who offer gender-affirming services beyond our scope
- Asking for feedback from clients about what we can do to continue to improve health services for LGBTQ+ people
We’re proud to offer the care and attention we provide to our LGBTQ+ clients, and we also know there’s a lot more work to be done – both within our Health Centers and in healthcare in general. Creating an inclusive healthcare environment doesn’t just support our LGBTQ+ patient population, it supports all of us.