How To Find an LGBTQ+ Friendly Doctor

For healthcare providers to be LGBTQ+ friendly, they need to be aware of the health risks and potential adverse health outcomes the community faces. To create a safe and welcoming space, physicians must acquire the training and knowledge regarding special considerations for LGBTQ+. Many local and online resources exist to enable members of the LGBTQ+ community to find comprehensive care without fear of adverse consequences.

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Finding an LGBTQ+ Friendly Doctor Near You

Finding comprehensive care for LGBTQ+ is not just about finding someone to treat common illnesses and ailments but creating a space where patients feel comfortable honestly disclosing their medical history related to their identity. While strides have been made in challenging stigmas and conducting more research, some healthcare professionals prefer to refuse care to LGBTQ+ folk. Many online navigation tools exist to allow members of the LGBTQ+ community to find comprehensive care in a safe and welcoming environment.

We spoke with Dr. Kyle Zrenchik, Ph.D., ACS, LMFT, and Couples and Sex Therapist for ALL IN Therapy Clinic about the history of health care services and treatments for the LGBTQ+ community. He states, “there are certain medical needs that are more unique to LGBTQ+ patients, which should be intentionally employed if a healthcare setting wants to be LGBTQ+ affirming or cares about LGBTQ+ health. Hormone therapy, AIDS-related care, alternative reproduction methods, and an increased need for mental healthcare, particularly LGBTQ+ affirming mental healthcare, are all important considerations for any affirmative care facility.” 

“It's not that pneumonia, for example, affects an LGBTQ+ body differently than a heterosexual, cisgender person's body,” says Dr. Zrenchik. “Instead, it's the emotional and psychological climate of the HCP and the facility that makes the difference in whether LGBTQ+ get adequate care.”

History of LGBTQ+ Medicine 

According to Dr. Zrenchik, “historically, the medical profession has been hostile to LGBTQ+ folk. Initially, being LGBTQ+ was considered a pathology, and we were treated as such. Being LGBTQ+ was something to cure, or in the case of illnesses like AIDS, was an explanation for being ill.” 

Not only were patients marginalized for their identities and sexual preferences, but so were the doctors that treated such patients. Dr. Zrenchik highlights that being an LGBTQ+ friendly or openly LGBTQ+ doctor meant risking your credibility and entire professional career. Despite much improvement in those sentiments, this does not mean that LGBTQ+ folk can easily obtain affirmative care. 

Many doctors have taken the necessary steps to provide more inclusive services to the LGBTQ+ community, and organizations have made it their mission to direct patients to these providers. Below is a list of many only tools and directories to find comprehensive LGBTQ+ care.