Guide: Coming Out to Your Doctor
What You Should Know
Lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender patients and their healthcare providers have
maintained an unofficial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This policy,
which is primarily based on fear on both sides, endangers our health. Providers
mistakenly believe that if they ask their patients "do you have sex with
men, women, or both", they will offend the 75-year-old, presumably heterosexual
grandmother. 
On the other side of the equation lesbian patients are afraid
— sometimes rightly so — of being rejected by their provider,
breaches in confidentiality, stigmatization, maltreatment, etc. Other
times we just feel its no body's business. Unfortunately this silent conspiracy
does a disservice
to both sides of the healthcare partnership and sets the stage for sub-optimal
healthcare.
Research has shown that lesbians often delay seeking healthcare until
their conditions are advanced. This delay in care may be, in part,
related to fear
of having to come out to one's health care provider. Data from the Black
Women 2 Women Spirit Study showed that only ___% of black lesbians and
bisexual women were out to their healthcare provider. ___% who were not out
believed that there would be a negative response if they came out – only
___ believed they would get a positive response.
Coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender can be a frightening
and liberating experience at the same time. The decision may require
serious thought
on your part. We've compiled some tips you can use in your coming
out process as well as some some things to consider when deciding whether
to to come out to your
healthcare
provider.
S.H.E. Circle and SHEcircle.org are programs of The Mautner Project.
1707 L Street, NW · Suite 230 · Washington, DC 20036 · (866)
MAUTNER
© Copyright 2005 The Mautner Project. All rights reserved.
Privacy policy. Important health disclaimer.
