Global Voices

LGBTQ discrimination in healthcare settings

The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA), which is largest physician organization in the state, is holding two events this month to raise awareness for the need to eliminate discrimination and improve healthcare equality for people of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community.

"When people arrive at the clinic, when they walk into the waiting room, when they talk to the front desk, or even when they get into the back and see the provider, often times they'll run into some prejudice, some homophobia," said Dr. Chris Reif, family medicine director of clinical services at Community University Health Care Clinic, and co-chair of the MMA's Health Equity Advisory Group.

Dr. Reif also stated that research has shown about 1 in 10 Minnesotans who identify as LGBTQ have delayed preventive care or medical treatment due to fear of discrimination. The events are intended to help participants understand how to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ patients.

Along with MMA’s focus on LGBTQ patients, discrimination also affects LGBTQ healthcare professionals, including veterinarians.

Wellness concerns in veterinary medicine

Within the veterinary profession, veterinarians face many wellness and healthcare issues as well as an alarmingly high suicide rate.

A study conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found that veterinarians are more likely to suffer from depression than the general population and that 1 in 6 veterinarians have considered suicide. Similar findings were also published in a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

LGBTQ veterinarians face all the same concerns as their veterinarian colleagues as well as concerns related to the LGBTQ community.  People in the LGBTQ community face healthcare issues linked to a history discrimination and oppression such as higher rates depression, substance abuse, and suicide than the general public and many health-related problems.

Unfortunately, even though LGBTQ veterinarians may have higher rates of wellness concerns than their professional peers due to the compounding issues societal stigma and discrimination, the LGBTQ community largely has not been acknowledged in discussions regarding health and wellness in the veterinary profession.

LGBTQ community presence in veterinary medicine

The Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (LGVMA) is an organization “for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities within the veterinary medical profession” that is fighting for LGBTQ veterinary professionals to be a part of any discussions within the profession.

During events partnered between the LGVMA and the AVMA, the overall message has been that the LGBTQ community has a place in veterinary medicine and should continue to work to be a more visible part of it.

LGVMA President Sandra Hazanow has echoed that message with the importance of the LGVMA’s presence in the veterinary profession.  She added, “We’re veterinarians first.  We just want to be ourselves in the profession and contribute a lot. ...Being able to allow [pet/animal] owners and veterinarians to be who they are enhances the experience.”

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)