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Health of LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Health Resource Websites and Videos

Created by Health Science Librarians

"To Treat Me, You Have to Know Who I Am" (Video)

LGBTQ+ Health and COVID-19 (Video)

In this video from Inclusive Excellence at the UNC Gillings School of Public Health, experts discuss the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ people. (Note: There is an audio issue around minute marker 5:10 but it resolves around minute marker 6:30.)

Health of Diverse LGBTQIA+ Populations

Intersectionality and LGBTQIA+ People

The term "intersectionality" was coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in a 1989 article published in the University of Chicago Legal Forum. In the article, Crenshaw compared facing race and gender discrimination as a Black woman to being in a traffic accident at an intersection and being hit from multiple directions. Today, the term "intersectionality" is used more broadly  to refer to how any combination of overlapping identities (for example, being Latino and queer, or White and lesbian) can impact how a person experiences either discrimination or privilege.

The resources below are for LGBTQIA+ people who may be experiencing intersectional discrimination in healthcare or facing unique health risks due to their race, physical abilities, or age.

Focus area Resource or Organization Content Description
People of color
LGBTQIA+ People of Color (National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center)
Lists webinars and other resources addressing the health needs of LGBTQIA+ people of color. Includes a Spanish-language webinar.
People of color
Intersex Justice Project
From the website: "[W]orks to end invasive and unnecessary surgeries on intersex youth by empowering intersex people of color as change-makers." Contains educational information for medical students.
Blacks and African Americans
Center for Black Equity
Promotes economic, social, and health equity for Black LGBTQ+ people.
Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, (LGBTQ) and Two-Spirit Health (Indian Health Service)
Discusses health disparities facing LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people. Includes an explanation of the term "Two-Spirit" and how it is used among Native Americans.
Latina/Latino/Latinx People
Latinos in the South
Contains links to recordings of Encuentro," a yearly, Southern gathering of multi-racial Latinx LGBTQ community and allies to end the HIV epidemic" (from the website). Also includes webinars on the Affordable Care Act, language barriers in the healthcare setting, immigration and health care, and other topics.
People with disabilities
RespectAbility
Explores concerns of LGBTQ+ people with disabilities. Includes a report called "Health Disparities at the Intersection of Disability and Gender Identity."
Older persons
National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
Contains a wealth of resources for older LGBT adults, including information about health conditions, long-term care options, and Medicare. Includes some Spanish-language information.
Older persons
SAGE
Advocates for and provides services to older LGBTQ+ adults. Offers a crisis and support hotline (in English and in Spanish), a cultural competency training program for care providers, information about housing,
Youth
LGBTQ Youth (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Offers guidance on the clinical care of LGBTQ youth. Includes training videos and links to policy statements, as well as a link to the AAP's Section on Health and Wellness page where providers can access webinars.
Youth
Health Considerations for LGBTQ Youth (CDC)
Summarizes the major health risks that LGBTQ youth face and the support networks that can help them thrive.

The organizations and resources below are targeted to multiple LGBTQIA+ communities (listed alphabetically):

Focus area Resource or Organization Content Description
Asexual Health
Asexual Visibility and Education Network
Online support network for the asexual community.
Bisexual Health
Bisexual Resource Center
Mental and sexual health tips, advice for coming out, and a support group finder.
Bisexual Health
Bisexuality and Health: The Cost of Invisibility (by Dr. Sabra Katz-Wise, Harvard Medical School)
Summary of the health disparities impacting bisexual individuals and links to research studies about these disparities.
Bisexual Health
Ten Things Bisexuals Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Providers (GLMA)
Tips for bisexual people seeking healthcare. Published by Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (GLMA).
Gay Men's Health
Gay and Bisexual Men's Health (CDC)
Fact sheets on multiple health topics, including substance use, tobacco use, and STD prevention; describes CDC-sponsored projects targeted to the health needs of gay and bisexual men.
Gay Men's Health
Men's Health Network
Information on overall wellness and disease prevention.
Gay Men's Health
Ten Things Gay Men Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Providers (GLMA)
Tips for gay men seeking healthcare. Published by Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (GLMA).
Intersex Health
Accord Alliance
Educational resources on differences in sexual development.
Intersex Health
AXYS
Information about X and Y chromosome variations; aimed at patients, families, and providers.
Intersex Health
InterACT
Advocates for the legal rights of intersex people
Intersex Health
Intersex Justice Project
From the website: "[W]orks to end invasive and unnecessary surgeries on intersex youth by empowering intersex people of color as change-makers." Contains educational resources for medical students.
Intersex Health
Intersex Society of North America (ISNA)
Educational and historical information about intersex for intersex people, their families, and their healthcare providers.
Lesbian Health
Lesbian and Bisexual Women (CDC)
Fact sheets on health conditions and disparities affecting lesbian and bisexual women; topics covered include STD prevention, cancer screening, and tobacco use, among others
Lesbian Health
Womenshealth.gov (Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and Human Services)
An alphabetical listing of women's health topics. Describes health conditions and treatment options.
Lesbian Health
Ten Things Lesbians Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Providers (GLMA)
Tips for lesbian women seeking healthcare. Published by Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (GLMA).
Transgender Health
Transgender Persons (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
HIV prevention tips for transgender patients, transgender care guidelines for providers, and reports on LGBTQ health, among other resources.
Transgender Health
Transgender Health Research (led by Dr. Sari Reisner, Director of Transgender Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital)
On the Resources page: The TGNC Card (to facilitate communication between patients and providers); information about HIV prevention, cervical cancer screening, and COVID-19.
Transgender Health
Ten Things Transgender People Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Providers (GLMA)
Tips for transgender people seeking healthcare. Published by Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (GLMA).

 

Health Disparities & Conditions

LGBTQIA+ people face disparities in healthcare because of the discrimination they experience in society and in the healthcare setting. Racial minorities who identify as LGBTQIA+ often face racism in addition to anti-LGBTQIA+ attitudes. The discriminatory treatment that LGBTQIA+ patients receive or fear receiving during healthcare system encounters can impact their decisions about whether to seek care. The resources below describe some of the health disparities facing LGBTQIA+ patients.