Presentation for
George Washington University School of
Medicine & Health Sciences
Core Curriculum Lecture Series
April 1, 2015
Dr. Stephen Forssell
Founding Director LGBT Health Policy
& Practice Graduate Certificate
Janice Langbehn & Lisa Pond
Detroit Michigan, Feb 19, 2015
Pediatrician refuses to
care for infant child of
lesbian mothers
LGBT Health Issues
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Marriage Equality
“Reparative” or Conversion Therapy
Transgender Health
Eliminating Disparities
Universal Culturally Competent Care
LGBT Health Issues
1) Marriage Equality
Marriage Equality
Crucial for Health Care
Access to Marriage = Access to Health Care
Over 1,100 rights associated with legal marriage
 Medical decisions
 Visitation rights
 Survivorship rights & taxation
9
Same Sex Marriage
DOMA (1999)
202 Vermont same-sex unions
2003 Netherlands, Belgium, Canada
2004 Massachusetts gets marriage
2005 England grants marriage-like rights
2009 Iowa gets marriage
2010 Washington DC
2012 Maine, Maryland, 2 others
2013 DOMA / Prop 8 Supreme Court rulings
2014: Marriage in 17 States & DC
2015: Marriage in 37 States & DC
Spring 2015: SCOTUS Decision Pending
LGBT Health Issues
1) Marriage Equality
2) “Reparative” or Conversion Therapy
“Reparative” or “Conversion”
Therapy
Aimed at making gay people straight
Psychoanalytic models
Behavioral approaches
Aversion c/w positive reinforcement
Joseph Nicolosi
Religious programs
JONAH
Exodus – now defunct
“Reparative” or “Conversion” Therapy
No empirical evidence for
efficacy
Evidence of potential harm
Jon Paulk, spokesman for
Focus on the Family
LGBT Health Issues
1) Marriage Equality
2) “Reparative” or Conversion Therapy
3) Transgender Health
15 © The Fenway Institute, 2009
15
National Transgender
Discrimination Survey (2010)
N = 7,000+
70 question survey
Higher rates of depression & suicidal
ideation 41% had history of suicide attempts
High levels of postponing medical care when
sick or injured due to discrimination (28%) or
inability to afford it (48%);
National Transgender
Discrimination Survey (2010)
Significant hurdles accessing health care:
• Refusal of care: 19% refused care due to their
transgender or gender non-conforming status,
• Harassment and violence: 28% of respondents
were subjected to harassment in medical settings
• Lack of provider knowledge: 50% of the sample
reported having to teach their medical providers
LGBT Health Issues
1)
2)
3)
4)
Marriage Equality
“Reparative” or Conversion Therapy
Transgender Health
Eliminating Disparities
History / Background
Research on LGBT Health
Healthy People 2020
Institute of Medicine Report (2011)
Health & Human Services (2012)
Hospitals
Community Health
Private Practice
Insurers
The Health of
Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and
Transgender People:
Building a
Foundation for Better
Understanding
(2011)
22
23
Cramer McCullen
Class of 2014
25
Minority Stress Model
Minority Status conveys chronic
societal stressors that directly and
independently impact health and risk
for disease
Stigmatized minority groups include
racial groups (Blacks, Latinos, et. al.),
sexual minorities (lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender), economic
minorities (poverty, homeless).
Ilan Meyer
27
28
LGBT Health Issues
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Marriage Equality
“Reparative” or Conversion Therapy
Transgender Health
Eliminating Disparities
Universal Culturally Competent Care
Basic LGBT Cultural Competence
Intake Forms & Data
Waiting Area Environment
Visible Written Policies
Unisex Restrooms
Avoid Assumptions
Reflexive Language
Familiarity with LGBT
resources
Competence-Plus
Community Engagement
Patient-based Input / Focus Groups
LGBT Marketing
Training Materials for Employees (Fenway, HRC)
Advanced Training: GW LGBT Health Policy & Practice
LGBT Health Issues
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Marriage Equality
“Reparative” or Conversion Therapy
Transgender Health
Eliminating Disparities
Universal Culturally Competent Care
Goals of the Program
To provide training and expertise
to providers of physical and mental
health care, and leaders in health
policy for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender (LGBT) people.
Our ultimate goal is to achieve better health outcomes
for the LGBT population
Who is the Program For?
Disciplines
Education/Career Level
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Post-Bachelor’s
• Graduate Students
• Completed Advanced
Degrees
• Working Health Professionals
Public Health
Clinical Psychology
Education & Counseling
Medicine, Nursing
Social Work
Policy & Government
Care Management &
Administration
Features







Interdisciplinary Faculty
Applied Focus
Core Areas: Physical, Mental, Policy
Combined on-campus/online curriculum
Distinguished Guest Faculty
Capstone produces a marketable product
Two-year option available
Online Curriculum Content
Readings
- Primary texts
- Additional articles
Prerecorded Lectures
Videos
Discussion Boards
Synchronous class
meetings
Capstone Course
Completed over program year
Customized to students’ career
goals
Mentored project
Results in usable real world product
Program Schedule
Summer Session 2015
Online June 22 to August 7, 2015
On campus Summer Residency: July 12-18
Fall Semester 2015
Online – September 8 to November 25
Spring Semester 2016
On campus meeting January 15-18
Online through April 29, 2016
Residencies
July and January
- Presentations from Distinguished
Guest Faculty
- Private tour of Capitol, White House
- Visit Hill offices of Congressional
representatives
- Evening entertainment activities
- LGBT Health Forum
Wednesday July 15, 2015
Mainstreaming LGBT Care
How to Apply
Go to Program Website
Click on “How to Apply”
Follow instructions on how to set up account
Upload materials (letters, transcripts)
$75 application fee (waived for GW students)
April 1– Deadline for GW Students to Apply with tuition
assistance consideration
May 31 – Final Application Deadline
Thank You!
Dr. Stephen L. Forssell
forssell@gwu.edu
202-994-6316