Primary Care for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Approximately 4.5% of the US population identifies as LGBTQIA+. Young people are more likely than older individuals to identify as gender or sexual minorities.As a minority group, LGBTQIA+ people experience chronic stress from stigma, bias, discrimination, and physical or verbal attacks. The associated health outcomes often include:
  • Anxiety, depression, and suicide
  • Substance use disorders
  • HIV and sexually transmitted infections
  • Avoidance of preventative healthcare, particularly mammography and cervical cancer screening
For more information, see the Fenway Institute’s Learning module on Foundations of LGBTQIA+ Health
Creating An Inclusive Health Care Environment
LGBTQIA+ Glossary of Terms
Becoming familiar with terms used by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQIA+) can help you provide patients with the highest quality care.

For additional terms and definitions, see the Fenway Institute’s LGBTQIA+ glossary of terms for health care teams.
Data Collection
These videos from the Fenway Institute demonstrate best practices in sexual orientation and gender identity data collection. They address common questions and issues that arise for frontline and clinical staff when asking patients about their sexual orientation and gender identity.

https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/courses/so-gi-data-collection-training
Inclusive Signage
These posters from the Fenway Institute can be displayed to let patients know that your health center is a welcoming, inclusive environment of care. Your organization’s logo can be added to the poster. 
Additional Resources
To learn more about creating inclusive health care environments for LGBTQIA people, see the Fenway Institute’s 10 Strategies for Creating Inclusive Health Care Environments.
Treating LGBTQIA+ Health Across the Lifespan
Children Adolescents
Adults