Healthcare in the LGBTQ+ Community Katelin Chen When the topic of healthcare comes up in conversation, most people don’t give it a second thought. But for millions of people across the United States, the reality is grim. For the past four years, the Trump Administration has been trying to make it even harder for members of the LGBTQ+ community to get access to quality healthcare. When it comes to something as basic as healthcare, Americans that identify as LGBTQ+ have a significantly harder time with virtually all things health related, especially if they are also a person of color, and/or transgender. According to an article from americanprogress.org, there have been countless cases of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare settings, many even proving to be fatal to the victims of this discrimination. Shabab Ahmed Mirza and Caitlin Rooney, the authors of this article, note that “a nationally representative CAP survey conducted in 2017 show that LGBTQ people experience discrimination in health care settings; that discrimination discourages them from seeking care; and that LGBTQ people may have trouble finding alternative services if they are turned away”.1 Another article written by Claire Gillespie brings up six major health disparities that affect the LGBTQ+ community, including higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, frequent mental health issues, and higher likelihood of eating disorders and substance abuse.2 When these individuals seek healthcare, but end up being discriminated against, this discourages them from getting the care they need and deserve. One of the main reasons for discrimination in healthcare settings is religion. Although diversity training is becoming more common, it doesn’t fully address the problem. Oftentimes, people’s religious and/or political beliefs override 1 "Discrimination Prevents LGBTQ People From Accessing ...." 18 Jan. 2018, https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbtq-rights/news/2018/01/18/445130/discrimination-prevents-lg btq-people-accessing-health-care/. Accessed 31 Oct. 2020. 2 "6 Major Health Disparities Affecting the LGBTQ+ Community ...." 12 Jun. 2020, https://www.health.com/mind-body/lgbtq-health-disparities. Accessed 31 Oct. 2020. their obligation to provide service without discriminating3, which is not okay. This discrimation, along with harmful stereotypes end up depriving individuals all over the country of healthcare, even though something like that should be a basic right. Ryan Thoreson, an LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, says that “Discrimination puts LGBT people at heightened risk for a range of health issues, from depression and addiction to cancer and chronic conditions”.4 Now more than ever, in the twenty-first century, with a civil rights movement in place, inclusion and diversity need more awareness. The fact that discrimination in healthcare spaces occurs disproportionately towards LGBTQ+ individuals as well as other minorities is something that needs to change.5 3 "Open the door for LGBTQ patients - LWW Journals - Wolters ...." https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Fulltext/2013/08000/Open_the_door_for_LGBTQ_patients.14.aspx. Accessed 31 Oct. 2020. 4 "US: LGBT People Face Healthcare Barriers | Human Rights ...." 23 Jul. 2018, https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/07/23/us-lgbt-people-face-healthcare-barriers. Accessed 31 Oct. 2020. 5 "Anti-LGBT Discrimination in US Health Care | HRW." 23 Jul. 2018, https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/07/23/you-dont-want-second-best/anti-lgbt-discrimination-us-health-care. Accessed 31 Oct. 2020.
