Have you ever wanted to show LGBTQIA+ patients your allyship and that your health care facility is an inclusive and welcoming environment, but have never been sure how? You're not alone! Many healthcare professionals feel uncertain about how best to support LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially given the diverse and evolving nature of these communities. Below are 3 simple yet impactful ways to make your office a more inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ and Intersex patients.
As healthcare professionals, we have the responsibility to create environments where every patient feels safe, seen, and understood. While it may seem like a lot to consider, small adjustments can have a lasting impact on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ patients. To dive deeper into building an inclusive practice, including how to be an ally to LGBTQIA+ folx, join the upcoming session on Intersex Patients: Rehab & Inclusive Care with Dr. Molly O’Brien-Horn on August 23, 2025!
Inclusive Documentation and Forms Inclusive Signs, Flags, and Pins
Visually demonstrating your commitment to inclusivity can be incredibly powerful, but it’s important to go beyond just a rainbow pride flag.
Why This Matters: These small but meaningful symbols signal to your patients that they are seen, valued, and respected. The presence of inclusive symbols like flags, stickers, or signs also helps to ease the anxieties of patients who may be concerned about facing discrimination in a healthcare setting.
Accessibility
Creating an accessible office environment is an essential component of inclusivity, as it helps ensure that everyone, including LGBTQIA+ individuals with disabilities, feels welcome. Accessibility goes beyond just physical ramps and elevators—it includes how your office accommodates people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Why This Matters: Ensuring that your office is accessible and compliant helps every patient feel like they belong. Accessibility is not just about physical space but also about creating an environment where LGBTQIA+ individuals can communicate their needs without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
Incorporating these simple strategies into your practice can make a profound difference for LGBTQIA+ and Intersex patients. From creating inclusive forms to displaying pride flags that acknowledge diverse identities, and ensuring your office is accessible for all, every step you take toward inclusivity helps build trust and improve patient care.
As healthcare providers, we must continually educate ourselves, listen to our patients, and strive to create spaces where every individual feels affirmed and respected. Join us for the upcoming course with Dr. Molly O’Brien-Horn on August 23rd for Intersex Patients: Rehab & Inclusive Care to take your allyship to the next level! Together, we can make healthcare environments more supportive for everyone.
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AUTHOR BIO
Molly O’Brien-Horn, PT, DPT, CLT, PCES, CCI
When we consider the intersectionality of sexual orientation and gender identity within the realm of intersex and LGBTQIA+ identities, we must recognize the multifaceted nature of individuals' experiences. For some intersex individuals, navigating aspects of identity may be complex, as their biological sex characteristics may not align with societal expectations of gender. Intersex individuals face a range of challenges in navigating their identities, including medical interventions without their consent, stigmatization, and lack of awareness and understanding from healthcare providers. These challenges highlight the need for clinicians to educate themselves on intersex experiences and provide inclusive and affirming care.
Resources for Clinicians to Support Intersex Patients
While you may be reading this thinking, ‘I don’t know anyone who is intersex,’ or ‘I don’t work with Intersex patients,’ you might be surprised to learn that you probably do! Intersex variations are as common as having red hair. The United Nations Free & Equal Initiative Intersex Fact Sheet states that “According to experts, somewhere between 0.05 percent and 1.7 percent of the global population is born with intersex traits. The upper estimate is bigger than the population of Mexico.” So, if you know, or have ever seen someone with red hair, you probably know or have seen someone who is intersex too.
Clinicians who are looking to better support their intersex patients can benefit from accessing resources specifically tailored to understanding and addressing the unique needs of this community. Two great Intersex-led organizations to help educate you and provide support to intersex patients and their caregivers are InterACT Advocates for Intersex Youth and InterConnect.
These organizations offer information and guidance on how to provide affirming care to intersex individuals and provide help to clinicians who want to educate themselves on intersex identities, familiarize themselves with the challenges faced by intersex individuals, and learn about best practices for promoting the health and well-being of their intersex patients.
Educate yourself, stand with intersex advocacy organizations, and amplify intersex voices to make a difference. Let's strive for a world where every identity is celebrated and respected because diversity strengthens us all. As Maya Angelou once said, "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their color."
So how do I learn more? What resources can I give to intersex patients and their families to support them? Well, to learn more about how to be an ally in healthcare to intersex patients and their families, and for more resources, register today for Intersex Patients: Rehab and Inclusive Care, scheduled for February 8th, 2025!
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