Diversity: Pride Q & A To Better Care for Our Patients and Each Other

We have opportunities to work alongside, and care for, individuals who represent a variety of nationalities, sexual orientations, religious backgrounds and cultures. That’s why fostering an environment in which everyone feels welcomed, respected, supported and valued is so important.

Learning more about the people we work with and serve is the first step to building a welcoming environment.

June is Pride Month. Below are questions and answers about the month, its significance and the community we celebrate to help you learn more and better care for our patients and each other.

Q:  What is Pride Month?

Pride Month commemorates years of struggle for civil rights for the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other) community and celebrates LGBTQ+ culture and the freedom for them to be themselves.

Q.  How did Pride Month originate?

On June 28, 1969 police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City—a popular gathering place for the LGBTQ community. Employees and patrons of the bar were arrested and about five days of riots followed.

In response to the Stonewall events, gay rights activists organized the Christopher Street Liberation Day march (named after the street that was the epicenter of New York City’s gay community) on June 28, 1970, the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots, to celebrate gay pride.

The pride march in New York inspired others across the country in solidarity and gay pride celebrations expanded globally. LGBTQ Pride is a monthlong celebration, with events held throughout the month of June to recognize the impact LGBTQ people have had in the world.

Q.  How do I communicate with LGBTQ+ patients to improve their health care experience?

• Be respectful—As President and CEO Nancy Howell Agee affirmed in her video, we have a commitment to providing hope and healing to ALL.
  
  Approach your patients with open-mindedness and non-judgement. A number of health care disparities that are linked to higher health risks exist for LGBTQ+ individuals. A positive experience improves their chances of seeking timely and needed care.
   
• Understand proper terminology—Sexual orientation and gender identity are not the same and can be confusing at times.
  • Sexual orientation is an inherent emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people.
  • Gender identity is one's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither—how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
  • Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation, so transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.
     
• Use gender neutral language—The correct use of pronouns and preferred name are important to all of our patients. If you are unsure, then ask patients what you prefer they use. Apologize if you use the incorrect one and correct going forward.
   
• Ask open-ended questions—For example, you might ask, “Is there anything else that would help me ensure you get the most out of this visit?” This gives patients an opportunity to share relevant health information that will enhance the patient experience and improve health outcomes.
   
• Learn about the health risks for LGBTQ+ patients—Many patients when faced with discrimination put off seeking health care in a timely fashion; therefore, this population tends to have higher rates of substance misuse, cancers, anxiety and depression and other medical conditions. Helping our patients feel welcome and engaging them in their health care journey will help decrease these risks over time.

Q.  How do I communicate with my coworkers who may be LGBTQ+ individuals?

• Be respectful of your colleagues as you would your patients.
   
• Expand your LGBTQ+ knowledge to improve your awareness of what’s respectful and what may be offensive.
   

Q.  Where can I learn more?

• Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Diversity Website
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• GLBT Health Access Project (Community Standards of Practice Section)
• National LGBTQ Health Education Center
• Trans-Health.com
• Women’sHealth.gov

If you have questions, contact the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

• Dr. N.L. Bishop - nlbishop@carilionclinic.org
• Briana Apgar - blapgar@carilionclinic.org