HealthPartners’ Post

Just wrapped on a panel today, titled, "Creating More Welcoming Workplaces for Nonbinary Individuals" with D Dangaran, Rebekah Scherr, Rafael M. Langer-Osuna, and Andy Izenson, sponsored by the American Bar Association, the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, Beyond Binary Legal, NALP, the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and the National Trans Bar Association. I echoed the urgency to act that I want us all to consider and feel: with this onslaught of anti-trans legislation getting introduced, challenged, and upheld around the country, there will be more trans and nonbinary court users, served by more trans and nonbinary court personnel, and represented by more trans and nonbinary attorneys, all affected by the sting of systemic transphobia. What is our collective plan to make our legal spaces SAFE, welcoming, and affirming for people like me and my community? Small steps towards this make our systems more accessible for all. I highly recommend reading this guide to start: "Creating More Welcoming Workplaces: Practical Steps Towards Nonbinary Inclusion in the Legal Profession" https://lnkd.in/eSPBkvmW

There is a mental health crisis in Transgender and Non-Binary (TGNB) communities linked to gender dysphoria, a lack of affirming providers for mental health care, and experiences of discrimination, stigma, and violence. Beyond that, TGNB people also have increased risk for cardiovascular disease (https://lnkd.in/gYKD-Mam), heart attack and stroke (https://lnkd.in/gKwFqGux), and health behaviors/comorbidities that increase risk for cancer (https://lnkd.in/gEXbyw9X). This is why it is important that we expand gender-affirming care beyond just gender-affirming hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. Providers can be gender-affirming to their patients to ensure access to care and to help prevent/treat these health conditions even if they are not prescribing hormones or conducting surgeries. For example, I should be able to feel affirmed, respected, and supported when I go to see my PCP to manage my cholesterol.

Did you know that LGBTQ+ populations are at elevated risk of adverse mental, behavioural, and physical health outcomes compared with cisgender heterosexuals? (Reference: Lancet Journal of Public Health). Here at LPC, we firmly believe that everyone deserves to live their healthiest and most authentic life. That’s why we work with clients who are committed to supporting that belief, whether it’s directly through their research or as part of their culture or giving programs. Furthermore, as writers, we recognize our words matter. Words have the power to impact people’s lives, for good and for bad. We’ll continue to try to use our words to impact the LGBTQ+ community for good, and we hope you will, too. #PrideMonth #HealthEquity

“You have to question - am I insane or is this a rational response to the society in which I live”?” - This could be a quote from a lot of people right now (myself included) but this time it’s from Shon Faye, as she speaks about living as a trans woman in a country where - during LGBTQ+ history month, no less - the Prime Minister yet again used trans people as a political punching bag while the mother of a murdered trans child is within earshot 😨 This is just a snapshot of the experience that trans folks face every day - constant othering, demonising and scapegoating by politicians and media, feeding a stream of violence towards them. From everyday microagressions (and the impact of those on wellbeing, career, access to key services…), to discriminatory policy decisions (see: new schools guidance) to actual literal murder (Transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization). It is traumatising, and re-traumatising and re-traumatising just to exist as part of a community facing persistent and pervasive persecution, never mind to put your neck on the line through activism. So when we’re working with folks from one of those communities (we seem to be calling them “lived experience” at the moment), we need to consider that context, and factor it into our approaches - caring, equitable, restorative approaches that centre humanity, build power and encourage hope 💪🏾 What are the ways you show you care in social justice spaces?

Today is Celebrate Bisexuality Day, also known as Bi Visibility Day! People who are bisexual experience intimate partner and sexual violence at higher rates than people who are heterosexual. The bisexual community also faces discrimination and biphobia, which may make accessing services more difficult. Bisexual visibility is an important step in creating an equitable society. With more awareness of biphobia and the experiences of bisexual individuals, communities can work together to create safe and equitable spaces for all members of their community. To learn more about intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ+ community, visit mocadsv.org/research [Image Description: White background with arches in the top left and bottom right corners. Arches are blue, pink, and purple. Purple text in center left, "Celebrate Bisexuality Day September 23, 2024." Below is a MOCADSV logo.]

Say It Out Loud Conference The Say It Out Loud Conference focuses on information sharing and networking to improve behavioral health services and decrease disparities faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals. The conference strives to provide space to educate and share knowledge with attendees to better serve and support LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. Dialogue is encouraged across all topics that touch and impact individuals including understanding how differences with regards to gender identity and sexuality impact overall behavioral and physical health, self-determination, and well-being. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gZh4_v6m All are welcome. Attendees in the past have included professionals from many areas such as behavioral health (mental health and substance use) across all ages and populations, non-profit agencies that serve LGBTQ+ individuals and families, child welfare, education, criminal justice, etc. The conference has had continued success and growth year after year and the goal of the conference is to continue making an impact in the lives of individuals for years to come. The conference is sponsored by the Health Care Authority (HCA), Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR). #LGBTQ+ #conference

The long-awaited final Title IX regulations were released last week by the U.S. Department of Education. The rules appear similar to what was proposed in June 2022 and significantly impact how universities and colleges must respond to allegations of sexual harassment and assault and expand protections for pregnant and LGBTQ+ students. Learn more in the client alert from Stephanie Wolbransky. Link in comments! #ClientAlert #TitleIX #HigherEducation #HigherEd #EducationLaw #SexualHarassment #Discrimination

Aching to try something different in peer support? Intentional Peer Support is grounded in a relational approach. When we shift from a focus that is about keeping an individual safe, and move towards one where we explore together how relationships can feel safe, amazing things can happen These are the remaining pay-per-seat Intentional Peer Support trainings offered by IPS Central in 2024. You won't want to miss them, and we hope you'll join us! Our IPS Core and QIPS (IPS through an LGBTQ+ lens) trainings have a tiered pricing structure - please click on the training events on our Eventbrite listings to see more details. Click here for details our trainings and IPS co-reflections listed: https://lnkd.in/gyNypSHx [Image: A vibrant graphic announces upcoming online IPS trainings, including two online overviews (30 July and 25 Sep), a QIPS course (2 Aug - 4 Oct), and three IPS Core trainings scheduled between the months of August and November with schedules that accommodate various timezones throughout the world. A link is provided that directs to our Eventbrite IPS training listings (the same in the text above). Colors in the backgorund are lighter purples, greens, and peach with white and gold ribbons and swirls.]

It's great that you did an evaluation and found that staff knowledge about LGBTQ+ topics increased after your competence training, but if your actual LGBTQ+ patients still aren't having a good experience, it doesn't matter. Capturing meaningful patient experience data can be difficult, especially in subpopulations, but there are various ways to do it. Here are a few approaches I've used in various contexts: - Filter on existing patient experience data if the institution already has adequate SOGI data collection - Hold patient focus groups to provide in-depth insights about their experience - Engage a student intern to conduct a telephone survey (useful for populations unlikely to respond to email/text-based after-visit surveys) What approaches have you tried regarding capturing meaningful data on LGBTQ+ patient experiences in your facility? #transhealth #tgnchealth #lgbthealth #lgbtqhealth #healthequity #lgbtdoctors #lgbtqdoctors