Finding the right healthcare provider can be hard for anyone. But, LGBTQ+ community members face even bigger challenges getting quality care. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people often face exclusion, discrimination, and inadequate care due to their sexual and gender identities.
Sesame believes in accessible, high-quality healthcare for all—regardless of gender, sexual, or ethnic identity. We put together a list of tips for finding a healthcare provider who is an LGBTQ+ ally. Use these resources to help prevent discriminatory and uncomfortable experiences in the doctor’s office.
Why LGBTQ+-Friendly care is important
LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk for certain types of health conditions, both mental and physical.
An analysis of several studies found that the LGBTQ+ population experiences higher rates of:
- Mental health problems (including self-harm)
- Suicide
- Substance abuse
- High-risk sexual behaviors
- Sexually-transmitted infections
Members of the LGBTQ+ community experience are more at risk for certain health concerns than other communities in the United States. For instance, in 2023, the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles reported that nearly 40% of transgender adults had attempted suicide. 56% had engaged in non-suicidal self-harm in their lifetime.
This increased risk of physical and mental health conditions only increases the need for people within the LGBTQ+ community to find accessible, competent health care.
Health care barriers for the LGBTQ+ community
Significant state policies prevent LGBTQ+ people from accessing adequate health care. For example, according to the Movement Advancement Project, Arkansas and Mississippi have state-wide laws that give insurers the right to refuse to cover gender-affirming healthcare services. Also, 25 states have no laws providing LGBTQ+-inclusive insurance protection. These laws would protect community members from being denied health care based on their gender or sexual identity.
Here are some factors to look for when searching for LGBTQ+-friendly care.
Find clinics that have LGBTQ+-specific training
Part of the challenge with finding adequate health care as a member of the LGBTQ+ community isn’t just finding a health care provider who is an ally. Your gender and sexual identity mean you have specific care needs. Research the clinic you are considering. Check that the healthcare providers have had cultural competency training. You can always call the clinic ahead of time and ask if their staff has received training to diagnose and treat LGBTQ+ health concerns. Asking about focused training helps ensure you get informed care.
Use your network
Word of mouth is an underrated tool for finding health care. Ask your friends or people in your social group about who they see for health care. This way, you don’t need to rely on Google or Yelp to tell you whether or not the office is an ally.
Use social networks like Facebook, Reddit, or Twitter to ask for recommendations. Even if you don’t have LGBTQ+ friends, social media platforms often have groups or message boards with questions and requests from other community members. Recommendations are based on personal experience, making them a great place to start. If you have a friend or someone you trust who has had a positive experience with a provider’s health services, you’ll likely have the same.
If you have a relationship with an allied healthcare provider but need to see a specialist, ask your doctor for a referral. Many LGBTQ+-friendly doctors have a network of like-minded providers.
Check out the nearest LGBTQ+ center
You can find an LGBTQ+ center in most major cities via a quick Google search. These communal spaces usually offer various services and resources – including health care referrals. New to the area? LGBTQ+ centers often host meetings and gatherings – which can help you build a network of friends and allies.
Use online resources
It can be hard to determine whether a healthcare provider is LGBTQ+-friendly. Placing a rainbow sticker in the clinic window is one thing. However, providing caring and informed care is another. Luckily, many online advocacy resources can help you find primary care and mental health facilities. They have the training to give adequate care, no matter your gender or sexual identity.
Some resources include:
- GLMA (Gay and Lesbian Medical Association) - Health Care Provider Database
- LGBTQ Center Database
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Provider Directory
- OutCare Health
- Planned Parenthood
- The Trevor Project (crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline)
I’ve found an LGBTQ+-friendly provider. Now what?
Before your first appointment, we recommend that you spend some time researching the office you want to visit. Visit the provider’s website and look at online reviews to get a better sense of the clinic's services. If you see reviews from members of the LGBTQ+ community calling out inadequate, inattentive, or harmful treatment, look elsewhere for your health care. Be sure to check out the dates of the reviews, however, as practices or policies may have changed in the office.
Want more information? You can always call the front desk and ask if the office providers have undergone training to provide inclusionary care for the LGBTQ+ community. Pay attention to whether or not the receptionist uses gendered pronouns or misgenders you while you talk. This could indicate that the office has not undergone cultural competence training to serve the LGBTQ+ community.
Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the front desk or your health care provider. Some ideas include:
- What training have you done to serve LGBTQ+ people?
- Do you regularly work with LGBTQ+ patients?
- Do you regularly work with transgender patients?
- What are your nondiscrimination policies?
- Does your office have gender-neutral restrooms?
- Do you have any LGBTQ+ community staff members?
These questions can help you understand a clinic's culture. They can show if the provider has made a welcoming and progressive environment for all, regardless of gender or sexual identity.
How Sesame can help
Sesame believes that your health and wellness are essential to this decision. Don’t settle for substandard or inadequate care. If you have questions about finding health care, you can chat with licensed healthcare providers. They can answer questions about health or refer you to an LGBTQ+-friendly clinic. Help is just a few clicks away.
