Finding the right healthcare provider can be hard for anyone. However, 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.
How to find LGBTQ+-friendly care
Finding the right provider is important for your mental and physical health, no matter your sexual orientation. If you're an LGBTQ+ individual, here are a few tips for choosing a doctor or clinician.
Look for 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 Threads, Reddit, or Facebook 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 LGBTQ+ healthcare 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)
You’ve found an LGBTQ+-friendly provider. Now what?
Once you've found an LGBTQ+ provider, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that they truly meets your needs and values. Here's what you can do next:
- Check online reviews: Visit the provider’s website and browse recent online reviews—especially those from LGBTQ+ patients. Look out for any red flags like mentions of misgendering, dismissive care, or outdated policies. Make sure to note how recent the reviews are, as policies and staff may have changed.
- Ask about training ahead of your appointment: Call the office or message your provider to see if they have undergone training to provide inclusionary care for the LGBTQ+ community. Pay attention to whether or not they use gendered pronouns, or misgender you, while you talk. This could indicate that they have not undergone cultural competence training to serve the LGBTQ+ community.
- Prepare a few questions: Don’t hesitate to ask questions, such as: What training do your providers have for LGBTQ+ care? Does your office have gender-neutral restrooms? Do you have a nondiscrimination policy? Do you have LGBTQ+ staff members?
- Trust your gut: Pay attention to how you feel. If something feels off or unwelcoming, it’s okay to look elsewhere. You deserve care that respects and affirms who you are.
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. 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.
How Sesame can help
Sesame believes that patients should have the ability to choose who is providing their healthcare. That's why every Sesame provider's profile includes a biography detailing their experience, specialties, and areas of focus. Look for mentions of LGBTQ+ affirming care, cultural competency, or specific training related to LGBTQ+ health issues before booking care. You can also message your provider prior to your appointment with any questions or concerns you may have about your care.
