LGBTQ+ Healthcare: Find Gender-Affirming Providers

June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate, reflect and push for LGBTQ+ rights.

Access to affirming healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community is essential, especially for those with diabetes. However, finding knowledgeable, gender-affirming providers isn’t always easy.

Furthermore, LGBTQ+ people are less likely to visit their doctor

Let’s change that. Here’s how to find the support you deserve.

The reality of bias in healthcare

• Up to 39 percent of transgender people report harassment when seeking routine healthcare,.
• Beyond harassment, many face “trans broken arm syndrome,” where providers assume any health issue is tied to a transgender patient’s gender identity.
• If your provider makes you uncomfortable or you’ve avoided care due to distrust, don’t settle. Better options exist, with growing resources

Finding gender-affirming care

• Being able to openly discuss aspects of your health and life is a must for a person with diabetes—because nearly every part of life can impact your blood sugars.
• These practices tend to focus on sexual health and gender-affirming car
• If local providers aren’t an option or switching feels daunting, seek out supportive specialists who can help in other ways.
  • Some, like FOLX Health, offer virtual primary care.
• QueerDoc and Plume Health are telehealth practices focused on sexual health and gender affirmation. 
• These resources can help you expand your healthcare team so it includes providers you feel truly comfortable with.

Take advantage of telehealth

• Telehealth has been around for awhile and can make it easier for you to get the healthcare you need.
• While not all medical evaluations or routine checkups can be done virtually, many can.
• If you have a reliable and secure internet connection and privacy, you can make the most of many types of doctor’s visits from wherever you are.
• Meeting with your healthcare provider (HCP) virtually can eliminate commuting, time spent waiting, childcare needs, missing too much work and other obstacles that come with getting to a physical location.
• It can also help settle some nerves you might have about discussing gender identity in person.
• Having easier access to your healthcare team via telehealth could help you reach your A1c and overall management goals, as research suggests.

Online support and resources

• Peer support and online communities are great tools for connecting with others who can relate to your experience.
• OutCare offers free online classes and sessions—everything from yoga and mindfulness to virtual support groups.
• Other online support communities serving LGBTQ individuals include: 
  • Spart*a: An advocacy organization for trans and gender-diverse active-duty and veteran service members.
  • Trans and Gestating Support Group: A bimonthly, doula-led support group that meets via Zoom.
  • Trevor Space: An online community connecting LGBTQ young people (ages 13-24) all across the world.
  • Asperger/Autism Network: An advocacy organization that offers online support groups and other live event resources for LGBTQ+ people with autism. 
  • Beyond Type 1 and Beyond Type 2: Online communities to connect with people with diabetes.

The ongoing fight for inclusive healthcare

There’s still such a long way to go when it comes to helping people within the LGBTQ+ community get the support and care you need.

You deserve a healthcare team that respects you and acknowledges your full identity.

To explore Beyond Type 1’s LGBTQ+ resources, click here.

Don’t give up!