New York City public advocate Betsy Gotbaum released a report Wednesday, titled, "Improving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Access to Healthcare at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation Facilities," revealed that many LGBT residents either shy away from visiting medical facilities or experience homophobia and hostility in the course of seeking proper medical care. It is not new that many gay people, especially gay asian men (Gam) do not talk about their sexual encounters with their doctors from time to time. They choose to shy away from the doctors and from free gay medical facilities in their cities. They keep everything to themselves and they don't even talk about their issues (and most of them do not know their HIV status) with close gay friends and family members. They are so secretive when it comes to their sex life. Discretion? Discretion is for those who live in homophobic cities/states like Utah! If you live in NYC and SF, you don't need to be discreet unless you are married men/daddies having gay sex!
Gotbaum:
All New Yorkers deserve equal access to public healthcare services, period. And every New Yorker should expect the quality of care to be the same no matter the sexual orientation or gender identity of the patient. This report points out areas of concern that LGBT organizations and I have regarding healthcare for gay and transgender New Yorkers.
The Advocate (Advocate.com):
Findings from these discussions with advocates and health care professionals include:
• The health care environment is heterocentric and gender-normative. Providers lack knowledge about health disparities affecting LGBT people.
• LGBT individuals experience hostility and discrimination in care.
• Concerns about homophobia and transphobia keep LGBT individuals from using health care services.
• Voluntary training does not reach all staff.
The public advocate’s report includes the following recommendations for HHC:
• Require in-house LGBT sensitivity training for all HHC employees.
• Designate an LGBT liaison in each HHC facility.
• Establish, display, and enforce a zero-tolerance discrimination policy.
• Establish a review process to monitor progress.
Ray Carannante
Gender identity project coordinator and associate director of Center CARE:
We are very excited that the public advocate has prioritized healthcare access for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people within New York’s city hospitals. We know firsthand of the numerous barriers to care that LGBT communities face when seeking services at every level, from the waiting room to the emergency room. (Advocate.com)
Gotbaum:
All New Yorkers deserve equal access to public healthcare services, period. And every New Yorker should expect the quality of care to be the same no matter the sexual orientation or gender identity of the patient. This report points out areas of concern that LGBT organizations and I have regarding healthcare for gay and transgender New Yorkers.
The Advocate (Advocate.com):
Findings from these discussions with advocates and health care professionals include:
• The health care environment is heterocentric and gender-normative. Providers lack knowledge about health disparities affecting LGBT people.
• LGBT individuals experience hostility and discrimination in care.
• Concerns about homophobia and transphobia keep LGBT individuals from using health care services.
• Voluntary training does not reach all staff.
The public advocate’s report includes the following recommendations for HHC:
• Require in-house LGBT sensitivity training for all HHC employees.
• Designate an LGBT liaison in each HHC facility.
• Establish, display, and enforce a zero-tolerance discrimination policy.
• Establish a review process to monitor progress.
Ray Carannante
Gender identity project coordinator and associate director of Center CARE:
We are very excited that the public advocate has prioritized healthcare access for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people within New York’s city hospitals. We know firsthand of the numerous barriers to care that LGBT communities face when seeking services at every level, from the waiting room to the emergency room. (Advocate.com)
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